Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Vertigo

If you suspect you have vertigo, it is wise to schedule a visit with your doctor. During the visit, you should not hesitate to ask your doctor any questions regarding your health. Asking questions is essential to good communication with your doctor. Asking your doctor questions lets him or her know that you are interested in learning or may need clarification on a certain topic. If you do not ask questions, your doctor might assume you do not need or want to learn new information. Some people do not ask their doctors questions for several reasons, such as due to shyness or fear of seeming ignorant. Although you may not enjoy visiting with your doctor and the very idea of it makes you nervous, doctors provide a service and their purpose is to help patients with any health concerns they may have. Most doctors are more than happy to sit with patients, answer questions, and explain any health-related topic that concerns you. It is beneficial to go into a doctor's appointment with some background knowledge and a written list of questions you would like answered. Do not be afraid to speak up if you are confused or do not know a medical term.

In relation to vertigo, below are several questions you should ask your doctor. First, you should ask basic questions in order to gain a better understanding of the cause of your vertigo. You will want to know the steps that need to be taken to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan. The questions you should ask initially include: 

• What do you suppose is the cause of my vertigo and why? 
• What types of examinations or evaluations need to be done to determine the cause of my vertigo?
• Do I need to prepare for these examinations? 
• What kinds of treatment do you recommend? Why? 
• If your doctor recommends a physical therapy maneuver, feel free to ask for an explanation or demonstration. 
• If medication is diagnosed, make sure you know understand the instructions and ask about side effects. 
• If this treatment is unsuccessful, what other treatment options are available to me? 
• Do you recommend that I see a specialist for my condition?
• In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you see an Otolaryngologist who would have more experience with the causes and treatment of vertigo.

There are several other questions you can ask your doctor that are not imperative but could provide you with beneficial information that could help you feel more prepared to self-manage your vertigo. These include: 

• What can I do to self-manage my vertigo? 
• Are there any exercises I can do on my own that could reduce symptoms?
• What kinds of activities or movements may trigger or worsen my symptoms?
• What should I do if my symptoms get worse or new symptoms arise?
• What should I do if I experience negative side effects from treatment (for example, side effects from medication)?
• Is surgery an option if my symptoms do not improve? 

Hopefully the questions listed above provide you with a good idea of the information you should obtain from your doctor. Remember, do not hesitate to ask any of these questions. Your doctor is there to help you improve your health. Answering health-related questions is part of their job so do not be afraid to ask any questions you may have.