Dizziness Assessment in Sheffield
Dizziness is common, especially in later life. It can make you feel lightheaded, unsteady, faint, or “not quite right”. Sometimes it is mild and short-lived. Sometimes it can affect walking, confidence, and day-to-day life.
Dizziness can happen for many reasons. It may be related to blood pressure, inner ear problems, medication side effects, dehydration, anxiety, poor balance, heart rhythm problems, or age-related frailty. A careful assessment can help identify the likely cause and guide next steps.
I offer private Dizziness assessment in Sheffield for older adults, focusing on diagnosis, mobility, falls, memory and overall health.
✔ Consultant-led assessment
✔ Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)
✔ No GP referral required
✔ Sheffield and surrounding areas
If you or a family member is experiencing dizziness, unsteadiness, or falls, a specialist assessment may help clarify the cause and guide treatment.
Book a private dizziness assessment in Sheffield.
my expertise
What do people mean by dizziness
People use the word “dizziness” in different ways. It may mean:
- feeling lightheaded
- feeling faint or as if you may pass out
- feeling unsteady on your feet
- a spinning sensation
- feeling off balance when walking
- feeling weak or “wobbly”
These different symptoms can point to different causes. That is why a proper assessment matters.
my expertise
What causes dizziness
Dizziness is not one single condition. Common causes include:
- Low blood pressure: This can happen when standing up, especially if you are dehydrated or taking certain medications.
- Inner ear problems: These may cause spinning sensations, vertigo, nausea, or sudden balance problems.
- Medication side effects: Some tablets can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or drops in blood pressure.
- Heart-related causes: Abnormal heart rhythm or poor blood flow can sometimes lead to dizziness or blackouts.
- Dehydration: Not drinking enough, illness, or hot weather can make dizziness worse.
- Balance and mobility problems: Weakness, poor vision, neuropathy, arthritis, and frailty can all affect steadiness.
- Anxiety or stress: These can sometimes make dizziness feel worse or more frequent.
- Neurological causes: Less commonly, dizziness may be linked to stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or other neurological conditions.
CONSULTANT LED CARE FOR COMPLEX CASES
When should you seek dizziness assessment in Sheffield
You should seek medical assessment if dizziness:
- keeps happening
- is getting worse
- has led to a fall
- comes with blackouts or near-blackouts
- affects walking or confidence
- is associated with weakness, speech change, new confusion, chest pain, or palpitations
- has started after a medication change
Dizziness should not be ignored in older adults, especially when it affects safety.
Services
What happens in a dizziness assessment
A dizziness assessment looks at the whole picture. This may include:
- Detailed history: We discuss what the dizziness feels like, when it happens, what triggers it, and whether there are warning signs such as palpitations, nausea, hearing symptoms, or falls.
- Medication review: Many cases of dizziness are made worse by medication combinations, side effects, or blood pressure tablets.
- Blood pressure check: This may include lying and standing blood pressure to look for a drop on standing.
- Mobility and balance review: We assess walking, stability, falls risk, strength, and confidence.
- Review of general health: This may include hydration, sleep, memory, frailty, heart symptoms, and neurological symptoms.
- Cognitive review if needed: Sometimes dizziness and poor balance happen alongside memory or thinking changes, especially in older adults.
Services
How a geriatrician can help
A geriatrician looks at dizziness in the wider context of ageing, mobility, falls risk, medication, frailty, and overall function.
This can be especially helpful when dizziness is not caused by just one simple problem. In many older adults, symptoms are due to several factors happening together, such as medication effects, low blood pressure, poor balance, and reduced confidence after a fall.
The aim is not only to name the problem, but also to make life safer and easier.
Services
Who this assessment is for
This service may be suitable for:
- older adults with new or ongoing dizziness
- people who feel unsteady or at risk of falling
- those with recurrent falls or near-falls
- people whose symptoms may be linked to medication or frailty
- families wanting a fuller assessment of an older relative’s dizziness and balance problems
Services
Possible next steps after assessment
Depending on the findings, next steps may include:
- medication adjustment suggestions
- advice on hydration and blood pressure management
- falls prevention advice
- further heart or neurological investigations if needed
- referral for physiotherapy, balance work, or vestibular rehabilitation
- support with wider geriatric problems such as frailty, cognition, or recurrent falls
Services
Why early assessment matters
Dizziness can reduce confidence, independence, and mobility. Some people stop walking outside, reduce activity, or become frightened of falling. This can lead to further weakness and loss of independence.
Early assessment can help identify treatable factors and reduce the risk of falls and hospital admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can contact us directly. You can also book into clinic by clicking at Claremont Hospital or Thornbury Hospital appointment link. A GP referral can be helpful but is not required.
Usually within 24–48 hours.
Yes. Dizziness is common in older adults and may be caused by blood pressure changes, medication, balance problems, inner ear issues, or general frailty.
Sometimes it is harmless, but sometimes it can signal a more important problem such as heart rhythm disturbance, stroke, severe dehydration, or medication-related low blood pressure. Recurrent or worsening dizziness should be assessed.
Yes. Blood pressure tablets, sedatives, painkillers, antidepressants, Parkinson’s medications, and some other drugs can all contribute to dizziness.
Dizziness is a broad term. Vertigo usually means a spinning sensation, often linked to the inner ear. Not everyone with dizziness has vertigo.
Yes. Dizziness and poor balance are major causes of falls in older adults. This is one reason assessment is important.
If the problem is ongoing, affects walking, causes falls, or is difficult to explain, a specialist assessment can be useful.
Yes — particularly helpful for frail or housebound patients.
Tailored support
Flexible appointment options
👉 Most patients are seen within 24–48 hours.
Tailored support
Book your appointment online
Together We Can Do More
Spire Claremont Hospital
0114 263 0330
Circle Thornbury Hospital
0114 266 1133
Not sure what you need?