Dizziness

Answer 1

Definition

Dizziness is light-headedness, feeling like you might faint, being unsteady, loss of balance, or vertigo (a feeling that you or the room is spinning or moving).

Most causes of dizziness are not serious and either quickly get better on their own or are easily treated.

Alternative Names

Light-headedness - dizzy; Loss of balance; Vertigo

Common Causes

Light-headedness happens when there is not enough blood getting to the brain. This can happen if there is a sudden drop in your blood pressure or you are dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or other causes. Many people, especially as they get older, experience light-headedness if they get up too quickly from a lying or seated position. Light-headedness often accompanies the flu, hypoglycemia, common cold, or Allergies.

More serious conditions that can lead to light-headedness include heart problems (such as abnormal heart rhythm or heart attack), stroke, and severe drop in blood pressure (shock). If any of these serious disorders is present, you will usually have additional symptoms like chest pain, a feeling of a racing heart, loss of speech, change in vision, or other symptoms.

The most common causes of vertigo are benign positional vertigo and labyrinthitis. Benign positional vertigois vertigo that happens when you change the position of your head. Labyrinthitisusually follows a cold or flu and is caused by a viral infection of the inner ear. Meniere's disease is another common inner ear problem. It causes vertigo, loss of balance, and ringing in the ears.

Much less commonly, vertigo or feeling unsteady is a sign of stroke, multiple sclerosis, seizures, a brain tumor, or a bleed in your brain. In such conditions, other symptoms usually accompany the vertigo or imbalance.

Home Care

If you tend to get light-headed when you stand up, avoid sudden changes in posture.

If you are thirsty or light-headed, drink fluids. If you are unable to keep fluids down from nausea or vomiting, you may need intravenous fluids. These are delivered to you at the hospital.

Most times, benign positional vertigo and labyrinthitis go away on their own within a few weeks. During attacks of vertigo from any cause, try to rest and lie still. Avoid sudden changes in your position as well as bright lights. Be cautious about driving or using machinery.

Some vertigo can be reduced by working with a physical therapist. Medications from your doctor may help you feel better.

Such medications include antihistamines, sedatives, or pills for nausea. For Meniere's disease, surgery may be necessary.

Call your health care provider if

Call 911 or go to an emergency room if someone with dizziness also has:

• A head injury
• Fever over 101F, headache, or very stiff neck
• Convulsions or ongoing vomiting
• Chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, weakness, inability to move an arm or leg, or change in vision or speech
• Fainting and losing consciousness for more than a few minutes

Call your doctor if:

• You have never had dizziness before.
• Symptoms you have had in the past are different (for example, last longer than usual, are worse than before, or are interfering with your daily activities).
• Medication is the suspected cause. Talk to your health care provider before making any changes to your medication.
• You have any hearing loss.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your doctor will perform a physical exam, focusing on your heart, head, ears, and nervous system, and ask question such as:

• Does your dizziness feel like light-headedness, vertigo, or imbalance?
• Does your dizziness occur with a change in body position?
• What other symptoms occur when you feel dizzy?
• When did your dizziness begin?
• Are you always dizzy or does the dizziness come and go?
• How long does the dizziness last (minutes, hours)?
• Did another illness develop before or after the dizziness began? How much later?
• Have you had any nausea and vomiting?
• Do you have a significant amount of stress or anxiety?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Blood pressuremeasurements and tests
• ECG
• Hearing tests
• Neurological tests
• Balance testing (ENG) may be required
• MRI

Prevention

Promptly treat ear infections, colds, flu, sinus congestion, and other respiratory infections. This may help prevent labyrinthitis and Meniere's disease.

If you have a cold, the flu, or other viral illness, drink plenty of fluids to prevent getting dehydrated.

References

Kerber KA. Vertigo and dizziness in the emergency department. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2009;27:39-50.

Tusa RJ. Dizziness. Med Clin North Am. 2009; 93:263-271.

Swartz R. Treatment of vertigo. Am Fam Physician. 2005; 71(6): 1115-1122.

Answer 2

Definition

Dizziness is a term that is often used to describe two different symptoms: lightheadedness and vertigo.

Light-headedness is a feeling like you might faint.

Vertigo is a feeling that you are spinning or moving, or that the the world is spinning around you. See also: Vertigo-associated disorders

Alternative Names

Light-headedness - dizzy; Loss of balance; Vertigo

Considerations

Most causes of dizziness are not serious and either quickly get better on their own or are easily treated.

Common Causes

Light-headedness occurs when your brain does not get enough blood. This may occur if:

• You have a sudden drop in blood pressure
• Your body does not have enough water (is dehydrated) because of vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and other conditions
• You get up too quickly after sitting or lying down (this is more common in older people)

Light-headedness may also occur if you have the flu, low blood sugar, a cold, or allergies.

More serious conditions that can lead to light-headedness include:

• Heart problems, such as a heart attack or abnormal heart beat
• Stroke
• Bleeding inside the body
• Shock (extreme drop in blood pressure)

If any of these serious disorders is present, you will usually also have symptoms like chest pain, a feeling of a racing heart, loss of speech, change in vision, or other symptoms.

Vertigo may be due to:

• Benign positional vertigo, a spinning feeling that occurs when you move your head
• Labyrinthitis, a viral infection of the inner ear that usually follows a cold or flu
• Meniere's disease, a common inner ear problem

Other causes of lightheadedness or vertigo may include:

• Use of certain medications
• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis
• Seizures
• Brain tumor
• Bleeding in the brain

Home Care

If you tend to get light-headed when you stand up:

• Avoid sudden changes in posture.
• Get up from a lying position slowly, and stay seated for a few moments before standing.
• When standing, make sure you have something to hold on to.

If you have vertigo, the following tips can help prevent your symptoms from becoming worse:

• Keep still and rest when symptoms occur.
• Avoid sudden movements or position changes.
• Slowly increase activity.
• You may need a cane or other help walking when you have a loss of balance during a vertigo attack.
• Avoid bright lights, TV, and reading during a vertigo attacks, because they may make symptoms worse.

Avoid activities such as driving, operating heavy machinery, and climbing until 1 week after your symptoms disappear. A sudden dizzy spell during these activities can be dangerous.

Call your health care provider if

Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or go to an emergency room if you are dizzy and have:

• A head injury
• Fever over 101°F, headache, or very stiff neck
• Seizures
• Trouble keeping fluids down
• Chest pain
• Heart skipping beats
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Inability to move an arm or leg
• Change in vision or speech
• Fainting and losing alertness for more than a few minutes

Call your doctor for an appointment if you have:

• Dizziness for the first time
• New or worsening symptoms
• Dizziness after taking medication
• Hearing loss

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

• When did your dizziness begin?
• Does your dizziness occur when you move?
• What other symptoms occur when you feel dizzy?
• Are you always dizzy or does the dizziness come and go?
• How long does the dizziness last?
• Were you sick with a cold, flu, or other illness before the dizziness began?
• Do you have a significant amount of stress or anxiety?

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood pressure reading
• ECG
• Hearing tests
• Balance testing (ENG)
• MRI

Your health care provider may prescribe medications to help you feel better, including:

• Antihistamines
• Sedatives
• Anti-nausea medication

Surgery may be needed if you have Meniere's disease.

Prevention

If you have a cold, the flu, or other viral illness, drink plenty of fluids to prevent getting dehydrated.

References

Post RE, Dickerson LM. Dizziness: a diagnostic approach. Am Fam Physician. 2010 Aug 15;82(4):361-8, 369.

Olshaker JS. Dizziness and vertigo. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 12.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 05/01/2011

Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Answer 3

Dizziness type are called nausea vomiting sickness headache stress smell bad odors are type that can cause dizziness