Most people already know this dizziness feeling from their childhood. After going on a merry-go-round, your surroundings often turn around for a short time, even though you are standing safely on solid ground. Or you get back to the shore after a longer boat trip and the land seems to sway. These types of dizziness are completely normal and usually stop quickly. But there are people who suffer a dizzy spell out of the blue. The attacks can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting or unsteady walking and standing.
Dizziness is the feeling of movement when there is no movement, or a disturbed orientation in a given space. The information that the visual apparatus sends to the organ of balance in the ear does not fit together exactly with the information stored there. The brain cannot correctly process this contradictory information and can no longer represent the world the way it is. So, what is firm and solid suddenly becomes turning and staggering – in short: Feelings of dizziness develop. By identifying the type of dizziness a person is experiencing, doctors can often pinpoint the underlying cause before it becomes more of a problem.
Dizziness is a term which can be used to describe several distinct sensations, each of which is linked to different organ systems or illnesses. By describing these sensations, you can provide your doctor with the means to offer a diagnosis and begin investigations.
Dizziness can be described in the following ways:
Presyncope: Feeling Lightheaded
Presyncope is the lightheaded sensation you may experience if standing up too quickly. In some cases, you may turn pale, feel clammy, or even pass out.
Presyncope happens as a result of the restriction of blood to the brain. It may be caused by something as simple as not drinking enough water or as serious as heart disease.
Causes of Lightheadedness
Disequilibrium: Feeling Off Balance
Disequilibrium is the sensation of not being able to maintain balance, often veering to one side of the other. If it appears suddenly, it may be caused by something as uncomplicated as an ear infection or as serious as a neurological disease.
If the symptoms progress slowly, it may be the result of a degenerative movement disorder such as Parkinson's disease or a systemicinfection affecting the nervous system.
Vertigo
Vertigo is the same sensation you have if you've been spinning around quickly and suddenly stop. Vertigo can be caused by an inner ear problem, resulting in peripheral vertigo. When it is the result of a problem with the brainstem it is called central vertigo.Causes can include toxins, metabolic disorders, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Double vision, tingling, numbness, weakness, facial drooping, or difficulty swallowing may also accompany vertigo.
Dizziness often goes hand in hand with unsteady gait and a risk of falling. Movement disorders can be classified
precisely by means of a gait analysis. Posturography is used to determine the swaying of the body. This is measured when standing on a special platform with the eyes open and closed.
When seeing a physician about symptoms of dizziness, be as specific as possible when describing what you are experiencing. Be sure to disclose information about any and all medications you may be taking, prescribed or otherwise, or any changes you may have made to your diet, lifestyle, alcohol intake, or work schedule.
