Dizzines-What That Can Mean?

Dizziness, fainting spell or vertigo can be experienced by the young and the old. They can be troubling for few days and can go away on their own. You  need to consult your general physician or family doctor who will guide you to either ENT Surgeon or a Neurologist based on your history and physical findings.

                                               Image Courtesy: Tony Takitani at Flickr

What Are The Causes Of Dizziness/Vertigo?

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This condition causes an intense and brief  sense that you're spinning or moving. These episodes are triggered by a rapid change in head movement, such as when you turn over in bed, sit up or experience a blow to the head. BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo.
• Drop in blood pressure. A dramatic drop in your systolic blood pressure may result in brief lightheadedness or a feeling of faintness. It can occur after sitting up or standing too quickly. This condition is also called orthostatic hypotension.
• Poor blood circulation. Conditions such as cardiomyopathy, heart attack, heart arrhythmia and transient ischemic attack could cause dizziness. And a decrease in blood volume may cause inadequate blood flow to your brain or inner ear.
• Infection. A viral infection of the vestibular nerve, called vestibular neuritis, can cause intense, constant vertigo. If you also have sudden hearing loss, you may have labyrinthitis.
• Meniere's disease. This disease involves the excessive buildup of fluid in your inner ear. It's characterized by sudden episodes of vertigo lasting as long as several hours. You may also experience fluctuating hearing loss, ringing in the ear and the feeling of a plugged ear.
• Migraine. People who experience migraines may have episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even when they're not having a severe headache. Such vertigo episodes can last minutes to hours and may be associated with headache as well as light and noise sensitivity.
• Neurological conditions. Some neurological disorders — such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis — can lead to progressive loss of balance.
• Medications. Dizziness can be a side effect of certain medications — such as anti-seizure drugs, antidepressants, sedatives and tranquilizers. In particular, blood pressure lowering medications may cause faintness if they lower your blood pressure too much.
• Anxiety disorders. Certain anxiety disorders may cause lightheadedness or a woozy feeling often referred to as dizziness. These include panic attacks and a fear of leaving home or being in large, open spaces (agoraphobia).
• Low iron levels (anemia). Other signs and symptoms that may occur along with dizziness if you have anemia include fatigue, weakness and pale skin.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This condition generally occurs in people with diabetes who use insulin. Dizziness (lightheadedness) may be accompanied by sweating and anxiety.
• Overheating and dehydration. If you're active in hot weather, or if you don't drink enough fluids, you may feel dizzy from overheating (hyperthermia) or from dehydration. This is especially true if you take certain heart medications.

Dizziness can affect your quality of life. It can prevent you from your routine activities. It also increases y our risk of falling or injuring yourself. Consulting a doctor prevents long term consequences.

Self-care

If you have vertigo, you may be able to prevent your symptoms from getting worse by:

• Avoiding sudden movements or position changes
• Keeping still and resting when you have symptoms
• Avoiding bright lights, TV, and reading when you have symptoms

When you feel better, slowly increase your activity. If you lose your balance, you may need help walking to stay safe.

A sudden, dizzy spell during certain activities can be dangerous. Wait 1 week after a severe spell of vertigo is gone before you climb, drive, or operate heavy machinery or consult your health care provider for advice. Chronic lightheadedness or vertigo can cause stress. Make healthy lifestyle choices to help you cope:

• Get enough sleep.
• Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. Don't overeat.
• Exercise regularly, if possible.
• Learn and practice ways to relax, such as guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, tai chi, or meditation.

Reference: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dizzinessandvertigo.html

To know more get in touch with your doctor or you can contact us anytime.

This post is not a substitute for professional medical advice. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or (in the United States) 911 immediately. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. Prana Healthcare provides information and guidance to health-related questions certain rights under Prana Healthcare's Terms of Service