FAQ
Browse a selection of our most frequently asked questions and answers about balance and dizziness disorders. Submit your own question here.
Advocate for Yourself
Diagnosis
When you first experience symptoms of dizziness and imbalance, it is most likely that you will visit an emergency physician or your family doctor. The primary role of an emergency physician is to rule out any serious or life-threatening causes for your symptoms, such as a stroke or heart attack. Your family doctor will look into general causes for your dizziness, such as low or high blood sugar, heart disease, neurological disorders and other metabolic issues as well as medication interactions that could be causing dizziness and imbalance. Read more about the role family doctors and emergency physicians play in assessing dizziness and imbalance on our Primary Care Physicians page.
If your symptoms persist, you will be referred to specialist health professionals who can dig deeper and start helping you manage, understand and treat your symptoms. These specialists include otolaryngologists (ENT doctors), otologists or neuro-otologists, neurologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, physiotherapists or occupational therapists, and vestibular audiologists. To help with mental health concerns related to your dizziness and balance disorder, you may be referred to a psychiatrist, psychologist or registered clinical counsellor. Read more about the role of each of these specialists on our Other Health Professionals page.
Migrainous Vertigo
Not all specialists have a particular interest or specialization in vestibular migraine. Ask your referring doctor to match you to one who does. For example, some neuro-otologists, neurologists and neuro-ophthalmologists are comfortable diagnosing and managing headache disorders, including vestibular migraine. This is less common, however, for generalist otologists (ear, nose and throat doctors). Some physiotherapists may be knowledgeable about headaches. Many, however, are more interested in balance and muscle- and joint-related issues. Read more about vestibular migraine.
Vestibular Migraine
Not all specialists have a particular interest or specialization in vestibular migraine. Ask your referring doctor to match you to one who does. For example, some neuro-otologists, neurologists and neuro-ophthalmologists are comfortable diagnosing and managing headache disorders, including vestibular migraine. This is less common, however, for generalist otologists (ear, nose and throat doctors). Some physiotherapists may be knowledgeable about headaches. Many, however, are more interested in balance and muscle- and joint-related issues. Read more about vestibular migraine.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Some physiotherapists, occupational therapists and audiologists have completed post-graduate training in vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Start by searching the Practitioners List on our website. As well, some provincial professional organizations and associations have some listings as well. Just be mindful to educate yourself on the level of training for those listed – those who have taken competency-based courses are the most highly qualified.