Dizziness can be described as a range of sensations. During dizziness, one might feel faint, weak, or unsteady. Sometimes it can give you nausea or a person may feel like vomiting. It may affect some people badly. If a person faces some underlying condition, then they can take some measures like visiting a Doctor . The underlying condition may be overexertion and getting some serious stroke. Mainly dizziness can be found in adults, and they need to visit a Doctor. Frequent feelings of dizziness can affect your quality of life. Dizziness treatment depends on the cause or the symptoms one experiences.
What is Dizziness?
Some common causes of dizziness include hunger, fatigue, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or anxiety . Dizziness can also be caused by neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis , Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy .
Vertigo (the perception of movement or the movement of your environment around you) is associated with disturbances in the vestibular system, which governs balance. Because your ears are associated with this system, ear infections and diseases, such as Ménière's disease , can affect your sense of balance and your gait. Benign positional vertigo affects the inner ear and occurs when you change the position of your head. Labyrinthitis usually follows a cold or a viral infection in the inner ear often causes the flu.
Serious causes of dizziness can include heart attack, stroke, or shock, all of which are serious, life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention.
Causes of Dizziness
Dizziness causes can be classified into two: Lightheadedness and vertigo. It has many causes like inner ear disturbance, sickness, and medication effects. Sometimes it can be a cause of any underlying health condition, like infection or injury.
Dizziness caused by heart disease or blood pressure problems
- Heart attack
- Arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythms), heart rate too fast or slow
- Weak, old, or diseased heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), toxins or drugs that affect the rate or strength of the heart's contractions
- Extremely high blood pressure
- Low blood pressure, which can have several causes, including heart disease, bleeding disorders, anemia, and adverse drug reactions
Dizziness caused by brain diseases or conditions
Dizziness caused by medication
- Almost all drugs mention dizziness as a potential side effect, but it is more common with certain types of drugs.
- Drugs for high blood pressure, diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, pain relievers, and some antibiotics
Dizziness caused by metabolic disturbances
- Hypoxia
- Low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia, including a reaction to insulin)
- Dehydration
Dizziness caused by aging
- Reduced capacity for exercise or activity, weakness, and deconditioning
- Reduced ability of the blood circulation to compensate for rapidly taking an upright position (orthostatic hypotension)
- Hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
- Neuropathy (a progressive dysfunction of the nerves caused by different diseases, especially diabetes)
- Menopause
- Poor eyesight and coordination
- Dementia
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
Dizziness caused by psychiatric conditions
- Depression, anxiety, or panic disorder
- Hyperventilation is caused by breathing too fast or too deep, usually due to anxiety or metabolic disorders
- Somatization is the conversion of a mental illness, such as anxiety or depression, into physical symptoms. Often, the patient can ignore the underlying mental illness and insist that they only have physical complaints.
- Anxiety also causes stress, and vice versa, which can cause dizziness.
Dizziness caused by other illnesses or conditions
- Internal bleeding or hemorrhage
- Anemia
- Prolonged bed rest, resulting in weakness and loss of ability to compensate for infections in an upright position
- Endocrine diseases in which hormone-producing organs such as the thyroid, adrenal glands, and pituitary gland affect hydration, salt balance, and the function of other organs
- Allergies can cause wheezing and low blood pressure or can trigger sinusitis, which can lead to dizziness
- Postprandial hypotension
Diagnosis of Dizziness
If you are diagnosed with dizziness and you are not getting treatment, you can take a doctor’s consultation. Before visiting your doctor, make a list of your symptoms that you are facing because of dizziness. You can refer to an ENT doctor who is a specialist in Ear, Nose, and Tongue. Before taking an appointment, take a proper note.
- Be prepared to describe your dizziness in some specific terms.
- Describe your previous dizziness or about the health conditions that you were having. Also, tell them about the medication you were taking.
- Try sharing some personal information that has affected your personal life.
- Just try to make a list or take your previous doctor’s medications that they have allotted to you as it can be a major reason for feeling dizziness.
Treatment of Dizziness
Dizziness can be caused because of hypotension and normalizing the blood pressure may cure your dizziness. Dizziness treatment can be done by treating hypoglycemia.
- When you feel dizziness, you can sit back or lie down. Close your eyes and lie for some time, you will have a feeling of a darkened room, and also there can be an experience of Vertigo.
- If you have frequent dizziness, you can avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery.
- Avoid the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
- Drinking enough liquids and balancing your diet can give you relief from dizziness.
- Avoid taking too much medication and consult your doctor..
- If the dizziness is caused because of dehydration, you can take a rest in a cool place and drink enough water.
- Avoid walking or running if you have a feeling of dizziness.
When to visit a Doctor?
Dizziness may show a more serious underlying medical condition when it occurs alongside signs that include:
- double vision
- vomiting
- fever
- numbness
- difficulty moving or controlling the arms or legs
- headache
- chest pain
- loss of consciousness
Home Remedies of Dizziness
If you have repeated attack of dizziness, consider these tips
- Be aware of the possibility of losing your balance, which can lead to falls and serious injuries.
- Avoid sudden movement and walk with a cane for added stability.
- Protect your home from drops by eliminating trip hazards such as exposed rugs and electrical cords. Use non-slip mats on your tub and shower floors. Use good lighting.
- Sit or lie down immediately when you feel dizzy. Lie down with your eyes closed in a dark room if you are having a severe episode of vertigo.
- Avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery if you frequently experience dizziness without warning.
- Avoid using caffeine, alcohol, salt, and tobacco. Excessive use of these substances can make your signs and symptoms worse.
- Drink enough fluids, eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and avoid stress.
- If you become dizzy because of a medication, talk to your doctor to stop or reduce the dose.
- If nausea accompanies your dizziness, try an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as meclizine or dimenhydrinate. These can cause drowsiness. Non-cloudy antihistamines are not as effective.
- If you are feeling dizzy due to overheating or dehydration, rest in a cool place and drink water or a sports drink.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What causes dizziness?
Dizziness causes can be classified into two Lightheadedness and vertigo. It has many causes like inner ear disturbance, sickness, and medication effects.
2. How to get rid of the dizziness?
When you are having a feeling of dizziness, you can sit back or lie down. Close your eyes and lie for some time. Drinking enough liquids and balancing your diet can give you relief from dizziness.
