Television presenter Carol Vorderman has revealed that she was hospitalized after a fall that left her with a head injury and weeks of lingering dizziness.
Vorderman, 65, said she tripped while walking, hitting her head in the fall. Although she initially believed she would recover quickly, persistent dizziness and balance problems prompted further medical evaluation and treatment.
"Right at the very end of May... I tripped over a tree root which I didn't see and I went smash here [on the left temple] and I was unconscious. I can't remember what happened then, but I do know that an ambulance came, and I was taken to the Bristol Royal infirmary," Vonderman said in an Instagram post.
After being discharged, Vonderman said she began experiencing "all the bad signs," such as "massive vomiting," which prompted another trip to the hospital the next day.
She said doctors performed CT scans and other tests before sending her home again.
"But what it did leave me with after about two or three weeks was dizziness. So I felt as though I was kind of walking on a moving ship."
Although imaging ruled out a serious brain injury, Vorderman said her symptoms persisted for weeks before doctors identified the cause.
She later learned that the fall had affected her inner ear, leading to a condition that disrupted her balance.
The TV host credited a woman named Sophie for introducing her to the Epley maneuver, a series of head and body movements commonly used to treat certain types of vertigo.
After undergoing three treatment sessions, Vorderman said her symptoms improved significantly. Following her hospital discharge, she is "happier than ever."
Dizziness following a head injury is not always caused by a concussion, and symptoms that linger or worsen should be evaluated by a health care provider.
Why Dizziness Can Develop After a Fall
Feeling dizzy after a fall can have several causes, ranging from a concussion to inner ear injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury, or concussion, may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and balance problems.
While many people recover within days or weeks, some continue experiencing symptoms that require further evaluation.
In some cases, trauma can also trigger benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), one of the most common causes of dizziness after a head injury.
What Is BPPV?
BPPV occurs when tiny calcium carbonate crystals inside the inner ear become dislodged and move into the wrong part of the balance canals.
As the head changes position, these misplaced crystals send inaccurate signals to the brain, creating the sensation that the room is spinning even when a person is standing still.
Symptoms typically include:
- Brief episodes of vertigo triggered by turning over in bed or looking up
- Loss of balance or unsteadiness
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
Although BPPV is not usually life-threatening, it can significantly increase the risk of additional falls if left untreated.
Head Injury Symptoms May Be Delayed
One reason doctors encourage people to monitor themselves after a fall is that symptoms do not always appear immediately.
Concussion symptoms may develop over hours or even days after the initial injury. Persistent dizziness, worsening headaches, repeated vomiting, increasing confusion, difficulty walking, or changes in vision should prompt immediate medical attention.
Older adults face a higher risk of complications because even relatively minor head injuries can lead to bleeding inside the skull, and balance disorders increase the likelihood of future falls.
Falls remain one of the leading causes of injury-related hospitalization among older adults. The National Institute on Aging recommends several strategies to reduce the risk, including staying physically active to improve strength and balance, having vision and hearing checked regularly, reviewing medications that may cause dizziness, wearing supportive footwear, and removing tripping hazards such as loose rugs or clutter at home.
Experts also advise seeking medical care after any fall involving a blow to the head, particularly if symptoms persist or worsen.
