Vertigo? Please help!

[kecrowe]

I have never had vertigo before, but I had a strange episode this morning.  I woke up, and when I opened my eyes, the world was spinning in circles.  I was not moving, but the ceiling was going around and around.  After twenty seconds or so, the spinning slowed, and after another ten or so seconds, it came to a stop.  It really scared me, so I sat still for a few minutes, hoping it was just a one-time thing.  All day, however, I have been extremely dizzy and clumsy.  If I lean over to pick something up, my head swims and I fall down.  I feel like I stumble more when I walk, and I have a headache.  This has all come on very suddenly, and it's really upset me.  Nothing like this has happened to me before.  I am 22 years old, and in good health.  I am far from home with a group of people working on community service project; the guy in charge thinks I should go see a doctor, but I feel like that's jumping the gun.  Is this vertigo, or a sign of something bigger?  Should I go see a doctor right away?

[OHNS2010]

Hi,

"Vertigo is a symptom but not a diagnosis", it can be of either central or peripheral in origin. We need to evaluate cause of this vertigo. Do you have any other symptoms like reduced hearing, ear fullness or any flu? I would suggest you to consult a physician at the earliest to find the cause of this problem.

Regards
OHNS2010

[Londres70]

Sounds like classic vertigo and yes, please seek medical attention if this is persistent.