Dizziness is not a disease but it is as a result of various medical problems or disorders.
Dizziness is the feeling of being lightheaded, woozy, or unbalanced or the sensation of spinning while being off-balance. It mostly affects the sensory organs, specifically the eyes and ears, so it can sometimes cause fainting if it is a severe case.
However, how dizziness makes you feel and what leads to it provide clues for possible causes. How long the dizziness last and any other symptoms you have also help pinpoint the cause.
To explain to your doctor exactly how you feel, you can use these more specific terms such as:
• disequilibrium is when you feel unsteady
• disequilibrium is when you feel unsteady
• lightheaded means you feel faint or woozy
• vertigo is a spinning sensation when you aren’t moving
As stated earlier there are different conditions that makes you feel both dizzy and tired. Sometimes these symptoms are temporary, or they might come and go.
If you often feel dizzy and tired, see your doctor for a diagnosis. Untreated dizziness and fatigue can cause a fall. It can also increase your risk of getting into an accident while driving. Here are the possible cause of your dizziness.
THE BODY CIRCULATOR SYSTEM
You may feel dizzy, faint or off balance if your heart isn't pumping enough blood to your brain. Causes include:
DROP IN BLOOD PRESSURE
A dramatic drop in your systolic blood pressure — the higher number in your blood pressure reading — may result in brief light-headedness or a feeling of faintness. It can occur after sitting up or standing too quickly. This condition is also called orthostatic hypotension.
You may feel dizzy, faint or off balance if your heart isn't pumping enough blood to your brain. Causes include:
DROP IN BLOOD PRESSURE
A dramatic drop in your systolic blood pressure — the higher number in your blood pressure reading — may result in brief light-headedness or a feeling of faintness. It can occur after sitting up or standing too quickly. This condition is also called orthostatic hypotension.
POOR BLOOD CIRCULATION
Conditions such as cardiomyopathy, heart attack, heart arrhythmia and transient ischemic attack could cause dizziness. And a decrease in blood volume may cause inadequate blood flow to your brain or inner ear.
Conditions such as cardiomyopathy, heart attack, heart arrhythmia and transient ischemic attack could cause dizziness. And a decrease in blood volume may cause inadequate blood flow to your brain or inner ear.
THE AUDITORY CANAL (INNER HEAR)
VERTIGO
Your sense of balance depends on the combined input from the various parts of your sensory system.
These include your:
*Eyes, which help you determine where your body is in space and how it's moving.
VERTIGO
Your sense of balance depends on the combined input from the various parts of your sensory system.
These include your:
*Eyes, which help you determine where your body is in space and how it's moving.
*Sensory nerves, which send messages to your brain about body movements and positions.
*Inner ear, which houses sensors that help detect gravity and back-and-forth motion.
Because the inner ear is responsible for giving us a sense of balance, it is not surprising that problems with the inner ear can lead to dizziness. Issues like vertigo, which affects the inner ear, may be one of the first guesses your doctor makes when you complain of dizziness, but you can rest assured that the cure is relatively simple. In many cases, physical therapy and balance exercises can reduce the problem and eliminate the disruption of dizziness in your life.
BENIGN PAROXYSMAL POSITIONAL VERTIGO (BPPV).
This condition causes an intense and brief but false sense that you're spinning or moving. These episodes are triggered by a rapid change in head movement, such as when you turn over in bed, sit up or experience a blow to the head. BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo.
Infection. A viral infection of the vestibular nerve, called vestibular neuritis, can cause intense, constant vertigo. If you also have sudden hearing loss, you may have labyrinthitis.
This condition causes an intense and brief but false sense that you're spinning or moving. These episodes are triggered by a rapid change in head movement, such as when you turn over in bed, sit up or experience a blow to the head. BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo.
Infection. A viral infection of the vestibular nerve, called vestibular neuritis, can cause intense, constant vertigo. If you also have sudden hearing loss, you may have labyrinthitis.
OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT CAUSES DIZZINESS INCLUDES:
MENIERE'S DISEASE
This disease involves the excessive buildup of fluid in your inner ear. It's characterized by sudden episodes of vertigo lasting as long as several hours. You may also experience fluctuating hearing loss, ringing in the ear and the feeling of a plugged ear.
MENIERE'S DISEASE
This disease involves the excessive buildup of fluid in your inner ear. It's characterized by sudden episodes of vertigo lasting as long as several hours. You may also experience fluctuating hearing loss, ringing in the ear and the feeling of a plugged ear.
MIGRAINE
People who experience migraines may have episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even when they're not having a severe headache. Such vertigo episodes can last minutes to hours and may be associated with headache as well as light and noise sensitivity. Migraines – Among the many disruptive symptoms of migraines is dizziness, which would likely be accompanied by the typical aura, light and sound sensitivity, and severe
headache that a migraine can cause.
People who experience migraines may have episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even when they're not having a severe headache. Such vertigo episodes can last minutes to hours and may be associated with headache as well as light and noise sensitivity. Migraines – Among the many disruptive symptoms of migraines is dizziness, which would likely be accompanied by the typical aura, light and sound sensitivity, and severe
headache that a migraine can cause.
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES
If you have ever been dehydrated or skipped a meal, you might know just how terrible you can feel when your body is lacking the water and nutrients it needs. These issues may be chronic if you follow a diet that does not provide you with the nutrition you need or you fail to drink enough water each day.
If you have ever been dehydrated or skipped a meal, you might know just how terrible you can feel when your body is lacking the water and nutrients it needs. These issues may be chronic if you follow a diet that does not provide you with the nutrition you need or you fail to drink enough water each day.
ANXIETY
Interestingly, anxiety disorders have been linked to dizziness, indicating that the sensation may really be all in your head. If you suffer from frequent anxiety, you might find that high-pressure situations lead to increased visual stimulation sensitivity, which can translate to feeling like the room is spinning. If you experience dizziness in your 20s or 30s, anxiety is a very likely cause.
Interestingly, anxiety disorders have been linked to dizziness, indicating that the sensation may really be all in your head. If you suffer from frequent anxiety, you might find that high-pressure situations lead to increased visual stimulation sensitivity, which can translate to feeling like the room is spinning. If you experience dizziness in your 20s or 30s, anxiety is a very likely cause.
LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
Along with helping maintain balance, the inner ear plays a role in regulating blood flow throughout the body, depending on the position your body is in. If you have low blood pressure, your body may not be able to regulate as effectively, causing you to lose your sense of balance, particularly when you stand up, participate in rigorous activities, or bend down.
Along with helping maintain balance, the inner ear plays a role in regulating blood flow throughout the body, depending on the position your body is in. If you have low blood pressure, your body may not be able to regulate as effectively, causing you to lose your sense of balance, particularly when you stand up, participate in rigorous activities, or bend down.
ANEMIA
Anemia is characterized by low levels of iron in the blood, which tends to cause fatigue and the feeling of being drained of energy. When you are overly fatigued, dizziness becomes much more likely.
Anemia is characterized by low levels of iron in the blood, which tends to cause fatigue and the feeling of being drained of energy. When you are overly fatigued, dizziness becomes much more likely.
STROKE
You might be familiar with the most common signs of stroke—blurred vision, impaired speech, and loss of muscle control—but you may not realize that dizziness can be a symptom as well, especially in women. When dizziness comes on suddenly and is accompanied by the other signs of stroke, it’s time to head to the ER immediately.
You might be familiar with the most common signs of stroke—blurred vision, impaired speech, and loss of muscle control—but you may not realize that dizziness can be a symptom as well, especially in women. When dizziness comes on suddenly and is accompanied by the other signs of stroke, it’s time to head to the ER immediately.
NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
Some neurological disorders — such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis — can lead to progressive loss of balance.
Some neurological disorders — such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis — can lead to progressive loss of balance.
MEDICATIONS.
Dizziness can be a side effect of certain medications — such as anti-seizure drugs, antidepressants, sedatives and tranquilizers. In particular, blood pressure lowering medications may cause faintness if they lower your blood pressure too much. Medications such as:
Dizziness can be a side effect of certain medications — such as anti-seizure drugs, antidepressants, sedatives and tranquilizers. In particular, blood pressure lowering medications may cause faintness if they lower your blood pressure too much. Medications such as:
antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac) and trazodone (Desyrel)
• antiseizure drugs such as divalproex (Depakote), gabapentin (Neurontin, Active-PAC with Gabapentin), and pregabalin (Lyrica)
• antiseizure drugs such as divalproex (Depakote), gabapentin (Neurontin, Active-PAC with Gabapentin), and pregabalin (Lyrica)
• blood pressure lowering drugs, such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics
• muscle relaxants such as
cyclobenzaprine (Fexmid, Flexeril) and
metaxalone (Skelaxin)
cyclobenzaprine (Fexmid, Flexeril) and
metaxalone (Skelaxin)
• sleeping pills such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Unisom, Sominex),
temazepam (Restoril), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zolpidem (Ambien)
temazepam (Restoril), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zolpidem (Ambien)
If you are on any of these medicines and it’s making you dizzy or tired, ask your doctor if you can lower the dose or switch to another drug as directed by medical professionals.
LOW BLOOD SUGAR (HYPOGLYCEMIA ).
This condition generally occurs in people with diabetes who use insulin. Dizziness (lightheadedness) may be accompanied by sweating and anxiety.
This condition generally occurs in people with diabetes who use insulin. Dizziness (lightheadedness) may be accompanied by sweating and anxiety.
OVERHEATING AND DEHYDRATION.
If you're active in hot weather, or if you don't drink enough fluids, you may feel dizzy from overheating (hyperthermia) or from dehydration. This is especially true if you take certain heart medications.
If you're active in hot weather, or if you don't drink enough fluids, you may feel dizzy from overheating (hyperthermia) or from dehydration. This is especially true if you take certain heart medications.
VERTEBROBASILAR CIRCULATORY DISORDER
This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.
Vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders are a group of diseases in which not enough blood is supplied to the back of the brain. Read about the symptoms.
This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.
Vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders are a group of diseases in which not enough blood is supplied to the back of the brain. Read about the symptoms.
COMMON COLDS AND INFLUENZA
Common colds and influenza are contagious infections that affect the respiratory system. Both are airborne illnesses, spread through coughing and sneezing.
Common colds and influenza are contagious infections that affect the respiratory system. Both are airborne illnesses, spread through coughing and sneezing.
OTITIS MEDIA
A middle ear infection (otitis media) occurs when a virus or bacteria cause inflammation in the area behind the eardrum. It is most common in children.
A middle ear infection (otitis media) occurs when a virus or bacteria cause inflammation in the area behind the eardrum. It is most common in children.
LABYRINTHITIS
Labyrinthitis is an inner ear disorder in which a nerve that detects head movement becomes inflamed.
Labyrinthitis is an inner ear disorder in which a nerve that detects head movement becomes inflamed.
ABNORMAL HEART RHYTHM
An abnormal heart rhythm is when your heart beats too fast, slow, or irregularly. This is also called an arrhythmia. Within the heart is a complex system of valves.
An abnormal heart rhythm is when your heart beats too fast, slow, or irregularly. This is also called an arrhythmia. Within the heart is a complex system of valves.
HYPERVENTILATION
Hyperventilation is a condition in which you start to breathe very fast. Healthy breathing occurs with a healthy balance between breathing in oxygen and breathing out.
Hyperventilation is a condition in which you start to breathe very fast. Healthy breathing occurs with a healthy balance between breathing in oxygen and breathing out.
MOTION SICKNESS
Motion sickness is a sensation of wooziness. It usually occurs when you're traveling by car, boat, plane, or train.
Motion sickness is a sensation of wooziness. It usually occurs when you're traveling by car, boat, plane, or train.
HYPOVOLEMIC SHOCK
Hypovolemic shock (hemorrhagic shock) is a life-threatening condition that results when you lose more than 20 percent of your body's blood or fluid supply, preventin.
Hypovolemic shock (hemorrhagic shock) is a life-threatening condition that results when you lose more than 20 percent of your body's blood or fluid supply, preventin.
HEAT EMERGENCIES
Heat emergencies are health crises caused by exposure to hot weather and sun. Heat emergencies have three stages: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
Heat emergencies are health crises caused by exposure to hot weather and sun. Heat emergencies have three stages: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
CHRONIC FATIGUE
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition that causes overwhelming tiredness, even after you’ve slept well. Symptoms of CFS include dizziness and trouble keeping your balance.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition that causes overwhelming tiredness, even after you’ve slept well. Symptoms of CFS include dizziness and trouble keeping your balance.
VESTIBULAR NEURONITIS
An infection like a cold or the flu can inflame the vestibular nerve in your inner ear. This nerve sends sensory messages to your brain to keep you upright and balanced. Swelling of the vestibular nerve can cause dizziness and vertigo. You might also feel fatigued.
An infection like a cold or the flu can inflame the vestibular nerve in your inner ear. This nerve sends sensory messages to your brain to keep you upright and balanced. Swelling of the vestibular nerve can cause dizziness and vertigo. You might also feel fatigued.
SEE A MEDICAL DOCTOR (SEEK HELP)
If you have had repeated episodes of dizziness and fatigue, see your doctor to find out what’s causing these symptoms. Call your doctor or go to an emergency room right away if you have more serious symptoms, such as:
• fainting or loss of consciousness
• seizures
• blurred vision or vision loss
• severe vomiting
• heart palpitations
• chest pain
• confusion
• high fever
• trouble speaking
If you have had repeated episodes of dizziness and fatigue, see your doctor to find out what’s causing these symptoms. Call your doctor or go to an emergency room right away if you have more serious symptoms, such as:
• fainting or loss of consciousness
• seizures
• blurred vision or vision loss
• severe vomiting
• heart palpitations
• chest pain
• confusion
• high fever
• trouble speaking
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