Dizziness is a term that is associated with the feeling of being woozy, unsteady, lightheaded or weak. The condition can sometimes result in fainting. Dizziness usually affects the eyes and ears.
The conditions that often lead to dizziness are disequilibrium and vertigo. Disequilibrium refers to the loss of balance. Vertigo is associated with spinning sensation. A person with vertigo may feel like the room is revolving.
Dizziness may also be associated with nausea or sometimes be so severe or sudden that you will need to lie down or just sit down somewhere. This episode usually lasts for seconds or even days and chances are it may recur.
Dizziness is rarely serious. Occasional dizziness usually resolves on it own. However, frequent bouts of dizziness can adversely impact the quality of life. Constant dizziness can also be an indicator of an underlying medical condition.
Dizziness is a sensation of being weak, unsteady, or woozy. It may be related to nausea in some cases while it may point towards a serious health condition in some. It may be an indication of the following:
Summary: Dizziness is not a serious health issue when it is short-lived and resolves itself. But in certain cases, it may be a sign of underlying health disorder such as inner ear disturbances, neurological abnormalities, infections, injury, poor blood circulation, etc.
Dizziness itself is a symptom of different diseases or abnormal health conditions. It usually gets resolved spontaneously over a certain interval of time. This happens in most of the cases which show dizziness to an extent of being mild or moderate. However, in severe cases, it does need medical care and attention with proper treatment plans under the supervision of a consultant.
Dizziness is not a serious concern when accompanied by lightheadedness which is transient or short-lived. However, when it comes to the occurrence of some additional symptoms, it may be a serious concern. Some signs and symptoms related to Dizziness that can make us worry include the following:
Summary: Dizziness is normal and does not require medical treatment in most cases. But when symptoms like fever, chest pain, double vision, shortness of breath, vomiting, etc. are experienced during the condition, it becomes concerning.
Dizziness may not be a serious concern when accompanied by normal symptoms like lightheadedness which resolves spontaneously. But it becomes concerning when it occurs in sudden, severe, recurrent, or prolonged forms. Some symptoms which can make Dizziness serious include:
Summary: Dizziness, in normal conditions, is short-lived and resolves itself. But it may become serious when accompanied by symptoms like severe and sudden chest pain, palpitations, rapid breathing, seizures, ongoing vomiting, etc.
Dizziness can resolve itself in most cases without any need for medical care and attention. But in some cases, it may require treatment under the supervision of a doctor or physician. Some of the ways to get rid of it include:
Summary: Dizziness may be a serious concern when it is prolonged and recurrent. In such conditions, we need medical care and attention. Certain medications, lifestyle changes, and therapies are ways to get rid of them.
Stroke is a condition associated with a decreased supply of blood to the brain or a part of it. Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms of stroke which is related to fainting or sudden fall without any visible cause.
Other symptoms of stroke may include numbness in the arm or leg, weakness all of a sudden, loss of balance, nausea, fever, chills, vomiting, blurred speech, or headache.
Summary: Dizziness is a common sign of stroke. Stroke is related to a decreased supply of oxygen in the brain, resulting in fainting, lightheadedness, or Dizziness.
Dizziness involves a wider range of sensations or feelings of being lightheaded, unsteady, woozy, or fainting. It is basically an unorganized spatial orientation or a distortion that may be related to a sense of loss of balance.
On the other hand, vertigo is a type of Dizziness that is characterized by spinning sensations in surroundings. It is a true sensation of self-movement or movements of surrounding things.
Summary: Dizziness differs from vertigo in a few aspects. Dizziness involves a wide range of sensations like lightheadedness, fainting, or unsteadiness, while vertigo is a type of Dizziness characterized by spinning sensations of self or surroundings.
Dizziness can be caused by multiple factors. Some of those are explained in detail below:
People suffering from high blood pressure may be asymptomatic in most cases. When it is left untreated or in case of delayed treatment, it increases the risks of some serious health conditions such as stroke and heart attack.
Stroke is accompanied by a reduced blood flow to the brain or a part of it, resulting in Dizziness or fainting. Thus, hypertension itself does not cause Dizziness but is indirectly responsible for it.
Summary: High blood pressure is not a direct cause of Dizziness, but it is linked indirectly to it. Stroke is a common complication of high BP, which leads to the decreased blood supply to the brain, causing Dizziness.
Low iron levels in the body can definitely cause Dizziness. Hemoglobin is the blood protein responsible for the transportation of oxygen throughout the body as well as the brain. Iron helps in the formation as well as the production of hemoglobin.
Thus, a low level of iron in our body can cause low hemoglobin levels, which in turn can cause anemia. Due to this, oxygen supply to the brain cells is decreased, resulting in Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Summary: Iron deficiency is directly related to anemia, which results in a decreased oxygen supply in the body and brain. Due to a low blood supply to the brain cells, Dizziness is caused.
Dizziness is not a disease but a symptom of various diseases. It is accompanied by a sensation or feeling of lightheadedness or fainting which is short-lived. Duration of Dizziness may vary in different individuals with different health statuses.
However, it may last for a few seconds or a few minutes in most cases, while in some cases it may last longer.
Summary: Duration of Dizziness may vary in different conditions depending upon the health status of the individual. It may be a few seconds, a few minutes, or even longer in certain cases.
A doctor will first ask you a certain question about the symptoms you are experiencing and the medications you may be taking. Some of the questions about dizziness may include:
The physician may then ask you to undergo a physical test. The purpose of the test will be to check your balance and the response of the central nervous system's major nerves while you walk.
Some of the other tests that you might be asked to undergo include:
In addition to all these tests, the physician may also ask to get a blood test or other examinations to determine the state of your heart health. People suspected of having had a stroke or individuals who have suffered a hit on the head may be asked to undergo an MRI or CT scan immediately.
Dizziness usually resolves on its own without requiring any medical treatment. The body adapts itself to the factors that may be contributing to the feeling of dizziness. Dizziness caused by factors such as excessive exercise, heat, or dehydration can be self-managed by increasing intake of water and other hydrating fluids.
However, if frequent spells of dizziness occur due to an underlying medication condition, treatment might become necessary. Depending on the underlying cause, treatment for dizziness may include the following:
A person is eligible for treatment of dizziness if he/she experiences some or all of the symptoms associated with it. A doctor will determine whether a person is suffering from vertigo or not by means of a physical examination and checking the patient’s medical history.
A person may also be advised to undergo an MRI or CT scan. Thus, a person will only be eligible for treatment after he/she has been properly diagnosed by a doctor.
A person who does not suffer from the symptoms of dizziness is not eligible for treatment. A person affected by Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is not suited to undergo the vestibular rehabilitation. Epley manouevre requires some head exercises to be done.
A person who has a serious head/neck injury is not eligible for this treatment. A person needs to consult a doctor before understanding whether he/she is eligible to take medications like antihistamine and prochlorperazine.
There are certain factors that are associated with an increased risk of feeling dizzy. Some of those include:
The side-effects of vestibular rehabilitation therapy include dizziness, muscle fatigue, sedation, weakness, and unsteadiness and falls that may sometimes amplify the disorder. Epley manoeuvre does not have any serious side-effects. However, a small fraction of the patients who have undergone his treatment have experienced transient nausea while fewer people have experienced vomiting.
Prochlorperazine has a number of side-effects like dizziness, drowsiness, sleep disorders, constipation, swelling of breasts, weight gain and missing of menstrual period for women. Antihistamine’s side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, vision problems, confusion and problems in urination.
A healthy and stress-free mode of lifestyle is a way to prevent dizziness. Some of the important ways for the control and management of dizziness include the following:
There are a number of lifestyle changes you can do in order to get read of dizziness causing havoc in your daily life. After getting the treatment, there are certain things to be kept in mind. Have plenty of rest, keep yourself hydrated at all times and have regular meals.
In case you are feeling dizzy again, lie down immediately. Make your home safe in order to deal with chronic dizziness. This is done by keeping a cane, walker, tub mats, and banisters that may help the patient by avoiding injury. An anxious person who suffers from dizziness can be helped by some reassurance.
Some of the complications involving dizziness include increased likelihood of a fall or an injury. Dizziness can also increase the risk of an accident while driving or operating heavy machinery. It may also adversely affect the quality of life in the long term if the underlying condition contributing to dizziness is not diagnosed and treated.
The medications for dizziness are harmless and the symptoms usually go away in about a week to 6 weeks. Thereafter, you need to follow your doctor’s instructions and maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent complications and recurrence.
The cost of diagnosis along with the visit to a doctor will range between Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 4,000. On the other hand, the cost of treatment will range between Rs. 150 to Rs. 500.
The results of the treatment can never be permanent without actually altering your usual lifestyle measures. You need to be conscious about your mental and physical health and carry on with regular exercise along with proper diet to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
It is important for us to know about the food items which are preferred to be taken in dizziness. Some of those include:
Some of the food items which are not preferred to be taken in case of dizziness include:
Dizziness gets resolved itself in most cases while in some cases it may require urgent medical care and attention. Such conditions are accompanied by the following conditions:
The deficiency of vitamin B12 may be a cause of Dizziness. This particular vitamin is related to the formation and production of red blood cells. Any deficiency in the same can lead to a decreased level of red blood cells in the body. This causes impairment in oxygen transportation all over the body.
Megaloblastic anemia is caused specifically in such conditions which are accompanied by the formation of large and immature red blood cells. A decreased number of healthy RBCs lead to the symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, and Dizziness.
Summary: Vitamin B12 is essential for the formation and maturation of red blood cells, preventing anemia-like conditions. Hence, its deficiency can cause a decreased blood supply to the brain, resulting in Dizziness.
Diet does not play any direct role to treat Dizziness-like conditions. It is important to maintain overall health, hence indirectly can help in a faster recovery from such conditions. Some of the food items to be preferred in such conditions include:
Summary: Although diet has no direct role in preventing Dizziness, it is important to take a healthy diet to ensure better health. Iron and vitamin C is essential for maintaining a proper energy level of the body, thus preventing Dizziness.
Banana is rich in an essential mineral i.e potassium. An imbalance in the amount of fluid in the inner ear leads to Dizziness. Potassium, which acts as a vasodilator, decreases the tension within the excessive fluid in the inner ear.
This helps to prevent Dizziness-like symptoms. Hence, it is important to consume potassium-rich food items such as bananas to control and manage Dizziness.
Summary: Banana, being rich in potassium, helps to maintain tension within the fluid of the inner ear. This helps to prevent Dizziness which relates to the excessive inner-ear fluid causing an imbalance.
Lemon is an effective remedy against Dizziness. It is rich in vitamin C which helps to boost the immune system. It provides adequate fluids to the body, thus maintaining proper hydration. Due to these properties, it enhances energy levels of the body and prevents fainting or lightheadedness-like symptoms.
The presence of vitamin C increases iron absorption which is essential for the formation of hemoglobin, an oxygen transporter in the blood. It enables our body to provide a sufficient oxygen supply throughout it, including the brain. Thus, lemon minimizes the risks of Dizziness.
Summary: Being rich in vitamin C, lemon enhances iron absorption in the body, thus increasing the formation of hemoglobin. Thus, it ensures adequate oxygen supply throughout the body and brain as well, preventing Dizziness-like conditions.
Some of the natural ways to treat dizziness include:
Dizziness, referred to as vertigo, is a state or symptom which is associated with a feeling of being spinning in a static condition or the same with the surroundings. However, it may be controlled and managed by incorporating some form of exercises in our daily routine which include some form of exercises such as Brandt Daroff exercises, Semont Maneuver, Epley Maneuver, and Foster Maneuver. It is advised to do physical activity and exercises after taking advice from a doctor.
Summary: Dizziness, referred to as vertigo, is a state or symptom which is associated with a feeling of being spinning in a static condition or the same with the surroundings. A healthy and stress-free mode of lifestyle is a way to prevent dizziness. It gets resolved itself in most of the cases while in some cases it may require urgent medical care and attention.