Dizziness Treatment in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is a dizziness assessment?
A dizziness assessment is a structured neurological review that pins down exactly what "dizzy" means for you and where the problem starts. People use the same word for three quite different sensations, and each one points in a different direction. Dizziness treatment in Sharjah at Dar Al Kamal Hospital begins with this assessment, because the right treatment follows from the cause.
| What you feel | How people describe it | Where it often points |
|---|---|---|
| Spinning (vertigo) | The room turns, or you feel you are turning | Inner ear, or the balance pathways of the brain |
| Light-headed | About to faint, vision greying, a hollow feeling | Blood pressure, heart rhythm, dehydration, medicines |
| Unsteady | Off-balance on your feet, worse in the dark | Nerves in the feet, spinal cord, coordination centres of the brain, medicines |
Many people have more than one type at once. Separating them is the first job of the neurologist.
Who needs it
A neurological dizziness assessment suits anyone with repeated or lasting dizziness, especially when it comes with headache, numbness, a change in walking, or falls. The neurologist looks for causes such as:
- Vestibular migraine. Episodes of spinning or motion sensitivity in someone prone to migraine. The headache is often mild or absent during the dizzy spell, so this cause is frequently overlooked. Light and noise sensitivity during an episode is a useful clue.
- Stroke warning signs. A reduced blood supply to the back of the brain can show itself as dizziness together with other brief neurological symptoms. Anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes or a smoking history deserves a careful look.
- Peripheral neuropathy. Damaged nerves in the feet send less information about where the ground is, so balance relies more heavily on vision. Unsteadiness that worsens in a dark room or with the eyes closed is typical.
- Medication effects. Blood pressure medicines, sedatives, some treatments for seizures, pain and mood, and simply taking several medicines together can all cause dizziness.
- Low blood pressure on standing. Light-headedness within moments of getting up, after a hot shower or a large meal. Long-standing diabetes can affect the nerves that steady blood pressure, which is one reason this problem is common in the UAE.
Brief spinning when rolling over in bed, or dizziness together with ear fullness, ringing or a change in hearing, usually comes from the inner ear. In that case your neurologist arranges review by the ENT team for vertigo treatment, where clinic repositioning manoeuvres and a hearing test are available.
What happens
The assessment at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah follows a clear sequence:
- Your account. The neurologist asks what the sensation feels like, what brings it on, how long each episode lasts and what comes with it.
- Blood pressure lying and standing. A reading taken after lying down and again after standing shows whether pressure falls when you get up.
- Neurological examination. Eye movements, facial strength, speech, coordination, sensation and reflexes in the feet, and your walking are checked. You may be asked to stand with your feet together and your eyes closed.
- Head and eye tests at the bedside. The neurologist watches your eyes while your head is turned quickly or moved into set positions. The pattern of eye movement helps tell an inner-ear cause from a brain cause.
- Further tests where they add something. These may include blood tests for sugar, vitamin B12, thyroid and blood count; nerve conduction studies for suspected neuropathy; an MRI scan or other neuroimaging through radiology; or an ECG with the cardiology team when heart rhythm is a possibility.
Treatment then follows the cause. It may involve trigger management and preventive medicine for vestibular migraine, a review of your medicine list, practical steps for low blood pressure on standing, or treatment of the condition behind a neuropathy. Balance retraining exercises with a physiotherapist can be arranged by referral.
Preparing for it
- Keep a dizziness diary for a few weeks: when each episode happened, what you were doing, how long it lasted, and any headache, hearing change or other symptom
- Bring every medicine, including supplements and anything bought over the counter, in its original packaging
- Bring previous scan reports and blood results, in any language
- Wear flat shoes and comfortable clothing, as the examination includes walking and lying down
- Eat and drink normally beforehand, since dehydration can itself cause light-headedness
- Arrange a lift home if your dizziness is active on the day
If you fast during Ramadan and notice dizziness while fasting, mention it. Your neurologist can review the timing of medicines around suhoor and iftar.
Afterwards
You leave with an explanation of the likely cause and a plan, which may include further tests, treatment or a referral. Continuing the diary helps show whether the plan is working. In the summer heat, steady fluid intake through the day and rising slowly from bed or a chair both help with light-headedness. If dizziness episodes are unpredictable, ask your neurologist about driving and follow UAE licensing guidance.
Book a review if episodes become more frequent, if you start to fall, or if new symptoms appear. Call emergency services immediately if dizziness comes with double vision, slurred speech, weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, facial droop, or an inability to walk. Do not drive yourself; these can be signs of a stroke, and stroke assessment is urgent. Go to the emergency department for dizziness with a sudden severe headache, chest pain or fainting.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE insurance plans cover a neurology consultation and routine blood tests for dizziness. MRI and nerve conduction studies often need pre-approval, and referrals to ENT, cardiology or physiotherapy may each need their own approval, with session limits for physiotherapy on some plans. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks and limits of a dizziness assessment?
A dizziness assessment carries no significant physical risk, although the head and eye tests can briefly bring on the dizziness being investigated. A single visit does not always find the cause, because many episodes come and go and the examination may be normal between them. A diary and, in some cases, further tests or a second visit are needed before a firm diagnosis is possible.
When is dizziness an emergency?
Dizziness is an emergency when it comes with double vision, slurred speech, facial droop, weakness or numbness on one side, or an inability to walk, and you should call emergency services at once. A sudden severe headache or fainting alongside dizziness also needs the emergency department. Symptoms that settle within minutes still need urgent assessment.
Should I see a neurologist or an ENT doctor for dizziness?
An ENT doctor suits dizziness with ear symptoms or brief spinning brought on by turning in bed, while a neurologist suits dizziness with headache, numbness, unsteady walking or no clear trigger. If you are unsure, either specialist can start the assessment and refer you on. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, the neurology and ENT teams refer to each other when the history points that way.
Can migraine cause dizziness without a headache?
Migraine can cause dizziness with little or no headache, a condition called vestibular migraine. It often affects people with a past history of migraine headaches, and episodes may come with sensitivity to light, noise or movement. Treatment focuses on triggers and, where needed, preventive medicine.
Why do I feel dizzy when I stand up?
Dizziness on standing is usually caused by a temporary fall in blood pressure as blood pools in the legs. Dehydration, heat, large meals, some medicines and diabetes affecting the nerves that control blood pressure all make it more likely. A lying and standing blood pressure check at your appointment helps confirm it.
Can my medicines cause dizziness?
Medicines are a common and correctable cause of dizziness, particularly blood pressure treatments, sedatives and some medicines for pain, mood or seizures. Taking several medicines together raises the chance. Bring every medicine to your appointment for review, and do not stop any medicine without advice from your doctor.
Will I need an MRI for dizziness?
Many people with dizziness need no MRI, because the history and examination identify the cause. An MRI is arranged through radiology when the findings suggest a problem in the brain or when symptoms are unexplained. Your neurologist explains the reason if a scan is recommended.
Is dizziness assessment covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover a neurology consultation for dizziness, while MRI and nerve conduction studies often need pre-approval. Referrals to other specialties may be approved separately. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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