Do you sometimes feel like your head is spinning , like the world is spinning? Do your eyes go blue when you try to stand up? This is what we call 'dizziness'. For some, this is very minor and goes away after a while, but for others, it can be severe and come with other symptoms like headaches and vomiting. So today, let's talk a little more in depth about this topic called dizziness.
What is this dizziness?
Dizziness is not really a disease, but a symptom. It can be experienced in many different ways.
- Feeling like you are floating lightly, without any weight on your head.
- Feeling of being lifeless and lifeless.
- It feels like throwing a tantrum.
- Feeling as if the things around us or the world are spinning, even though we are standing still.
This condition is very uncomfortable. Sometimes it can be accompanied by nausea.
What are the main causes of dizziness?
Simply put, several parts of our body work together to maintain balance. Our eyes, brain, inner ear, and nerves in our legs and spine help with this. Imagine what would happen if there was a slight misalignment in any part of this system. That's when we feel dizzy.
There are many causes of dizziness.
- Inner ear problems, for example, vertigo .
- Inner ear infections.
- Deficiency of certain nutrients in the body (especially iron).
- Heart disease .
- Concussion is a condition caused by hitting the head somewhere.
- Diseases affecting the brain.
- Dehydration of the body .
- Stress and anxiety.
- Some medications.
- Motion sickness .
- Low blood sugar.
Let's learn about Vertigo: One of the main types of dizziness
If you feel like the room is spinning around you even when you're standing still, or if you have trouble keeping your balance when walking, you may have a type of dizziness called `Vertigo`. This is a symptom of several conditions that affect our inner ear and the `Vestibular system`, which controls balance.
The most common condition of BPPV
The full name of this is `Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).` Although the name is big, it is not something to be afraid of. This is the most common inner ear disorder. What happens is that small calcium crystals in our inner ear get out of place and go to places where they should not be. Then this system gets confused and sends the wrong signals to the brain.
This condition is most common as cells age and break down. It can also be caused by a hard blow to the head. The dizziness occurs when you turn your head, walk, especially when rolling over in bed, and when getting out of bed. BPPV is not serious and usually resolves on its own. Alternatively, your doctor can teach you special head-shaking exercises that can help move the calcium deposits back into place.
Meniere's Disease
People with Meniere's disease have an excess amount of fluid in their inner ear. This causes severe episodes of vertigo that last for hours. During these episodes, you may feel a fullness or pressure in one ear. You may also experience symptoms such as ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and nausea. You may also feel very tired after the vertigo goes away. The exact cause is unknown. Treatment includes a low-salt diet and medication to control the vertigo.
Inner Ear Infections
Vertigo can also be caused by an infection that causes swelling of the nerves in the ear. Vestibular neuritis and Labyrinthitis are two types of such infections. These are often caused by a virus.
The relationship between heart disease and dizziness
Sometimes dizziness can be an early sign of heart disease. For example, if the arteries become blocked by fatty deposits (atherosclerosis), blood flow slows down. The heart then has to work harder and pump blood faster. This can cause dizziness along with palpitations.
If you feel dizzy while your heart is beating fast, it could be a sign of heart disease. If so , see a doctor as soon as possible.
Other common causes of dizziness
Apart from these, there are several other common causes of dizziness. Let's look at them in the table below.
| Cause | Important Points |
|---|---|
| Dehydration | Not drinking enough water during the day can cause low blood pressure, insufficient oxygen to the brain, and dizziness. Thirst, fatigue, and dark-colored urine are other symptoms. |
| Some medications | Dizziness can occur as a side effect of antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, high blood pressure medications, and medications that cause drowsiness. |
| Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) | People with diabetes experience dizziness when their blood sugar levels drop. This can also cause hunger, tremors, sweating, and a feeling of helplessness. People without diabetes can also experience this condition. |
| Concussion | If you have a hard blow to the head (e.g., a fall, sports accident, car accident), you may experience dizziness due to a concussion. This is a serious condition and should be treated immediately. |
| Anxiety and Stress | If you suffer from anxiety, dizziness may occur as a physical symptom. |
| Iron Deficiency | Iron deficiency anemia can impair the transport of oxygen throughout the body, causing dizziness, fatigue, paleness, and difficulty breathing. |
| Carbon Monoxide Poisoning | This is a very dangerous situation. If you experience symptoms such as dizziness, headache, weakness, nausea, etc., leave your location immediately and go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU). |
What do you do when you feel dizzy?
If you suddenly feel dizzy, don't panic and try these things.
- Immediately lie down on a bed or the floor.
- After a few minutes, slowly sit up straight. Don't make any sudden movements.
- Then get up slowly.
Depending on the cause, there are things you can do:
- If you are dehydrated: Drink plenty of water or a sugary drink (e.g., Jeevani). Rest in a cool, shady place.
- If your blood sugar is low: Eat or drink something with sugar (e.g. a glass of fruit juice, a piece of candy).
- For Motion Sickness: If you are in a car, sit in the front seat. Look at a distant object. If you are on a boat, lie down. Suck on a ginger slice or ginger toffee.
But remember, if the cause of your dizziness is something serious (like a concussion or infection), these home remedies won't help. You should definitely see a doctor and get treatment.
When to seek immediate medical advice
There is no need to be afraid of a normal dizziness. However, if you have any of the following symptoms along with dizziness, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) without delay. Never drive a vehicle alone, as dizziness can lead to an accident.
| Red Flag Symptoms | |
|---|---|
| - Difficulty breathing | - Chest pain |
| - Abnormal heartbeat | - Numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs |
| - Difficulty walking | - Difficulty speaking or stuttering |
| - Seeing one image as two (Double vision) | - Sudden severe headache |
| - Confusion | - Seizures |
| - Hearing loss | - Persistent vomiting |
| - Any dizziness that occurs after a head injury. | |
Take-Home Message
- Dizziness is very common, but it can also be a symptom of a serious medical condition.
- If you experience dizziness frequently, if it doesn't go away, or if it interferes with your daily activities, be sure to see a doctor.
- If dizziness occurs after a head injury, or if dizziness occurs with the warning signs mentioned above, consider it an emergency and go to the hospital immediately.
- Talk openly with your doctor about the medications you take, your diet, and your lifestyle. Finding the right cause is crucial for treatment.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න