Occasional dizziness due to dehydration or a hot day isn’t normally a cause for concern. However, vertigo and recurrent or severe dizziness are signs of an underlying problem.
Dizziness is a lightheaded, faint or unsteady feeling that may leave you feeling like you’ve lost your balance. One type of dizziness is vertigo, a condition that makes you feel as though you or your surroundings are spinning.
From the muscles throughout your body to your inner ear, your body is constantly coordinating a variety of systems to help you remain balanced and avoid feeling dizzy. There are a number of medications and healthy conditions that can lead to dizziness and loss of balance, including:
It is important to remember that dizziness can sometimes be a sign of stroke. If you experience dizziness paired with confusion, double vision, headache or numbness on one side of your body, please seek emergency medical attention.
Benign paroxysmal vertigo, the most common type, occurs when calcium crystals detach and float in the fluid-filled inner ear chambers. These crystals can disrupt the normal function of your inner ear, causing a sensitivity to head movements.
In addition to a spinning sensation, vertigo can also cause headaches, tinnitus, involuntary eye movements and nausea as well as a general disorientation.
Your doctor will perform a thorough medical examination to determine the underlying cause of your dizziness and develop a treatment plan to best relieve your symptoms. Your treatment plan may include a combination of simple body maneuvers to clear your inner ear, balance therapy and medications, both oral and injectable.
To stop feeling dizzy, it’s essential to identify the underlying cause. Simple remedies like staying hydrated, resting, and avoiding sudden movements may help. If dizziness persists or worsens, specialists at Brain & Spine can help determine the best treatment plan.
Red flags for dizziness include severe headache, nausea, chest pain, fainting, difficulty speaking, or sudden changes in vision or hearing. These symptoms may indicate a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Daily dizziness can result from various causes, such as inner ear disorders, low blood pressure, dehydration, anxiety, or neurological issues. A healthcare provider should evaluate persistent dizziness to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
You should worry about dizziness if it’s accompanied by severe headache, fainting, chest pain, or difficulty walking. Frequent or unexplained dizziness also warrants a visit to a neurologist to rule out serious conditions.
Over-the-counter antihistamines, such as meclizine, can sometimes alleviate dizziness caused by motion sickness or vertigo. However, it’s important to consult a doctor to identify the root cause and get appropriate treatment.
The main causes of dizziness include inner ear disorders, dehydration, low blood pressure, and neurological conditions. Anxiety, certain medications, and underlying health issues, like diabetes, can also contribute to feeling dizzy.
Dizziness may be serious if it is sudden, severe, or accompanied by symptoms like slurred speech, numbness, fainting, or chest pain. Specialists at Brain & Spine can perform a thorough evaluation to rule out serious conditions and provide treatment.
Feeling dizzy can mean a variety of things, from a simple issue like dehydration to more complex problems like an inner ear disorder or a neurological condition. A thorough evaluation can help identify the specific cause.
Dizziness can be classified into four main types: vertigo (a spinning sensation), disequilibrium (a feeling of imbalance), presyncope (lightheadedness or near fainting), and non-specific dizziness. Each type may point to different underlying causes.
There are over-the-counter options that may help with vertigo symptoms, but it’s important to consult a healthcare provider before taking any medication. They can guide you toward the most appropriate treatment based on your specific condition and symptoms.
The medical term for dizziness depends on the type. Vertigo describes a spinning sensation, while presyncope refers to lightheadedness or faintness. Disequilibrium is the term used for balance-related dizziness.
Symptoms of dizziness include lightheadedness, a spinning sensation, imbalance, nausea, and faintness. Some individuals may also experience blurred vision, headache, or fatigue alongside dizziness.