Patient Safety

Top 5 Causes of Dizziness: Why Am I Dizzy & What to Do

 

Who hasn’t experienced a bout of being lightheaded or dizzy? Typically, a short bout of dizziness is nothing to be worried about but they can be an indicator of something else going on. So, what exactly does “being dizzy” actually mean? As our brain interprets information from our surroundings and the systems in our body it processes these input/stimuli and makes adjustments accordingly. I can give you some insight on answering the question “why am I so dizzy?” and the top 5 causes of dizziness and what you can do about it.

Symptoms of Dizziness

When your brain has a hard time interpreting input from the three main sources of our surroundings (eyes, muscular system, and vestibular system) this can lead to what’s known as being dizzy. What exactly is “dizziness?” Symptoms of being dizzy or dizziness include:

• Lightheadedness
• Feeling faint
• Sense of motion/spinning (also known as vertigo)
• Loss of balance
• Feeling of floating or wooziness

Many of these symptoms may be made worse by standing up quickly or moving your head. While your dizziness may be sudden or severe enough to have you sit or lie down, it may last seconds or days. It even may return at a later date.

5 Causes of Dizziness

Feeling dizzy may be common but understanding what causes the symptoms can help you recover or even avoid feeling dizzy. What exactly, if anything, causes symptoms of dizziness or vertigo? The top 5 culprits for causing dizziness can be:

1. Viral infections: One infection that can cause constant vertigo is vestibular neuritis. This entails an infection of the main nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain. Also,

labyrinthitis is a condition resulting in hearing loss caused by a virus. It can also affect the nerve in your brain that controls balance and hearing.

2. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): Triggered by a rapid change in head movement, this condition can cause an intense and brief sense of spinning/moving. It’s the most common cause of vertigo and can be triggered by sitting up, rolling over in bed, or a blow to the head.

3. Blood pressure drop: When your blood pressure drops too low it creates a condition known as orthostatic hypotension. This can lead to you briefly feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or feeling faint. As anyone who has stood up too quickly can attest, head rush!!

4. Low blood sugar: Hypoglycemia is a condition when blood sugar drops too low. Typically, this condition occurs in those with diabetes and use insulin to control their blood sugar levels drop. This can lead to sweating and anxiety as well as a sense of dizziness.

5. Poor blood flow: Conditions of poor blood flow that can cause dizziness include heart attack, cardiomyopathy, irregular heartbeat, and transient ischemic attack. Also, any drop in total blood flow through the body could cause the brain or inner ear to receive deficient blood flow, causing dizziness.

Migraines and fluid buildup in the inner ear, such as Delayed Endolymphatic Hydrops (DEH) can also lead to bouts of vertigo. Your medical professional may perform tests to find the cause of your dizziness or vertigo. Imaging tests such as an MRI or CAT scan may be performed to determine if a stroke or a blow to the head could be the cause. Other tests could include a hearing or balance test that could also include eye/head movement tests, posturography, and a rotary chair test.

Some possible treatments and therapy for your dizziness could include:

• Water pills
• Medicines to relieve dizziness
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Migraine medications
• Balance therapy
• Head position movements

Our Top Products To Improve Dizziness

When to Seek Medical Attention

Any repeated or long-lasting symptom of dizziness or vertigo should signal you to see your doctor. Especially if there is no clear cause for the symptoms. You should seek immediate or emergency medical attention if you experience severe dizziness or vertigo along with:

• Sudden pain, severe headache, or chest pain
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Trouble breathing

If your dizziness is accompanied by painting, seizures, or confused or slurred speech it might be wise to call 911 for immediate medical attention.

References:

• Dizziness - Symptoms and causes
• Feeling Dizzy: When to Seek Medical Help
• Dizziness: 13 Possible Causes of Dizziness
• Dizziness: Causes & Treatment
• Why am I dizzy? 10 causes
• Dizziness - Diagnosis and treatment

 

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