Private vertigo clinic in London, same-day specialist medicine.
Vertigo is the false sensation that you or the room is moving, usually spinning. It is different from light-headedness or feeling faint, and the distinction matters because the causes are entirely different. Most vertigo comes from the inner ear and is unpleasant rather than dangerous. Our private specialist medicine clinic in East London offers same-day vertigo assessment with a private specialist, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.
The condition
What is vertigo?
Vertigo is the false sensation that you or the room is moving, usually spinning. It is different from light-headedness or feeling faint, and the distinction matters because the causes are entirely different. Most vertigo comes from the inner ear and is unpleasant rather than dangerous.
- What vertigo is
- Symptoms to look for
- Causes & risk factors
- Tests & diagnosis
- Treatment options
- When to see a specialist
Understanding vertigo
Vertigo: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment
Call 999 if dizziness comes with
- weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, or a drooping face
- slurred speech, or difficulty finding or understanding words
- double vision, or loss of part of your vision
- difficulty swallowing, or a severe headache unlike any before
- difficulty walking or severe unsteadiness that is new
- new deafness in one ear alongside the vertigo
These suggest the problem is in the brain rather than the ear, and stroke can present with dizziness alone. Sudden hearing loss is itself an emergency — treated within days it often recovers, and left longer it frequently does not. In an emergency call 999, or go to the Royal London Hospital Emergency Department, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1FR.
The three common patterns
- BPPV — brief, intense spinning lasting under a minute, triggered by rolling over in bed, looking up, or bending down. Between episodes you feel normal. This is the commonest cause by far and it is mechanical, not an infection.
- Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis — severe constant vertigo coming on over hours, often after a viral illness, with nausea and vomiting, lasting days. Labyrinthitis also affects hearing; neuritis does not.
- Ménière's disease — attacks lasting 20 minutes to several hours, with fluctuating hearing loss, ringing and a sense of fullness in one ear.
BPPV is treated by a manoeuvre, not by tablets
BPPV is caused by tiny crystals displaced into the wrong part of the balance organ. It is fixed by a sequence of head positions — the Epley manoeuvre — which repositions them, and it works in the large majority of people, often within one or two sessions. Anti-sickness tablets do not treat it and, taken for more than a few days, actually delay recovery by preventing the brain from adapting. If your dizziness is brief and triggered by head position, ask about being assessed and treated with a manoeuvre rather than accepting medication.
Managing an acute attack
- Lie still in a comfortable position during severe spinning, in a darkened room if light makes it worse.
- Move your head slowly and deliberately, but do keep moving once the worst has passed — the brain compensates through movement.
- Sip fluids regularly; vomiting and vertigo dehydrate you quickly.
- Anti-sickness medicine may be prescribed for the first few days only. Stopping it promptly matters.
- Get up slowly from lying, and use a light at night to reduce the risk of falls.
Recovery and rehabilitation
After vestibular neuritis, most people improve substantially over one to six weeks. Some are left with unsteadiness or brief dizziness on quick head turns for longer. Vestibular rehabilitation — a graded set of eye, head and balance exercises from a physiotherapist — speeds this up considerably and is the treatment of choice for persistent symptoms. Avoiding movement feels natural and slows recovery.
Driving
You must not drive while you are experiencing vertigo or are liable to sudden attacks of it. For recurrent or unpredictable vertigo there is a legal duty to inform the DVLA, and it is your responsibility to do so. We can advise where you stand and put it in writing if you need it for work.
Other causes worth considering
- Medicines — blood pressure tablets, antidepressants, sedatives and some antibiotics.
- Low blood pressure on standing, particularly in older people.
- Anaemia, low blood sugar, dehydration, thyroid problems.
- Anxiety and hyperventilation, which produce light-headedness rather than true spinning.
- Migraine, which can cause vertigo with little or no headache.
Book an appointment if vertigo is triggered by head position and you want it treated with a repositioning manoeuvre, if symptoms are not settling after a week or two, if there is any hearing change, or if you need vestibular rehabilitation. Our ENT and physiotherapy teams see patients.
Specialist medicine services we offer
Expert care under one roof
From same-day GP assessment to specialist care, scans and tests — with a clear plan the same visit.
Private GP
Same-day GP to start your care.
Specialist Medicine
Access to specialists & referral.
MRI & Imaging
Fast brain & spine MRI access.
Private Blood Tests
Diagnostic blood tests, explained.
Headache & Migraine
Diagnosis & a treatment plan.
Mental Health
Where mood or memory is affected.
Simple & reassuring
Seen today, in three easy steps
Book in a minute
Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.
Seen quickly
A GMC-registered clinician assesses you, with tests and scans arranged in-house where possible.
Diagnosis & plan
You leave with a clear diagnosis, treatment, and any specialist care or scan arranged.
Private assessment
See a private specialist for vertigo in London
At our private specialist medicine clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private specialist or vertigo doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant specialist will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about vertigo.
Local, private, fast
A private specialist medicine clinic for East London & Canary Wharf
Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private vertigo appointment with a specialist, without the wait or the referral.
Why choose us
Why choose our East London private specialist medicine clinic
- Same-day, no referral — private GP and specialist medicine under one roof
- Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
- Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
- Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
- A named clinician who explains your results clearly
- Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on
Ready when you are
See a private specialist for vertigo — the same day.
Book a private vertigo assessment in East London: same-day appointments, specialist-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.
Common questions
Vertigo in London: your questions answered
Where can I find a private vertigo specialist near me in East London?
Our private specialist medicine clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private specialist or vertigo doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.
Can I see a private specialist for vertigo the same day?
Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a specialist or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.
How much does a private vertigo appointment cost in London?
We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the vertigo assessment and any tests before you book.
Do I need a referral to see a private specialist for vertigo?
No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a specialist, we will guide you.
Which areas do you serve for private vertigo care?
We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.
Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.