Dizziness: causes, how to treat, prevention and doctor’s recommendations

Table of Contents

Dizziness
Causes
Pathological
Not related to diseases
Symptoms
Pathogenesis
Types of dizziness
Vestibular
Positional vertigo
Meniere's disease
Non-vestibular
Central
Psychogenic
Dizziness due to external factors

< li class="article__contents-item" data-type="h1">Stages of development

Danger and consequences
Diagnostics
Treatment
Drug therapy
Pills for dizziness
Physiotherapy
Gymnastics
Improving the functions of sensory and motor systems
Improving orientation and perception
Prevention and prognosis
Doctors' recommendations

MOSCOW, September 29. Dizziness or vertigo is a symptom that occurs against the background of various pathologies. The condition is characterized by weakness, a feeling of “staggering” and rotation of the space around the person. Why the head is constantly dizzy at normal pressure, what to do if severe and sudden dizziness occurs, as well as the causes of vertigo, its consequences and treatment — in the material .

Dizziness

Every person has at one time or another experienced the feeling that the world is starting to spin around them. This condition is called “dizziness” or “vertigo”. A feeling that the ground is disappearing from under your feet, you lose your bearings, you get the impression that you might fall, weakness and disorientation.

Dizziness may be temporary or permanent. It may also be accompanied by other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, headache (migraine) or loss of balance.

To solve the problem, it is necessary to find out the causes of this condition. Traumatologist-orthopedist Mikhail Ignatov spoke about them in more detail.

Causes

Dizziness is caused by a number of reasons. The condition may be one of the symptoms of other diseases, or it may be provoked by factors not associated with pathologies.

Pathological

Dizziness often acts as one of the symptoms of the following diseases:

pathologies of the vestibular analyzer;
diseases of the internal organs (stroke, myocardial infarction, anemia, heart defects, diabetes mellitus, etc.);
diseases of the visual organ (glaucoma, cataracts, astigmatism etc.);
destructive changes in the cervical spine;
cerebral circulation disorders;
disorders of the physiological functions of the body.

In addition, unsteadiness and dizziness may be psychogenic in nature. Thus, patients with anxiety, depression, panic disorder (a condition that includes several episodes of panic attacks), hyperventilation syndrome (shortness of breath and tachypnea (rapid shallow breathing), which are caused by anxiety) often complain of vertigo.

Not associated with diseases

Dizziness is often provoked by a sharp change in blood pressure, low blood sugar, problems with the vestibular system, chronic fatigue, menstruation, menopause, poor diet, etc. .

One of the factors causing dizziness may be orthostatic hypotension. This is a condition in which a person suddenly stands up and the blood accumulated in the lower extremities does not have time to flow to the brain.
Sometimes the cause of dizziness is pinching in the cervical spine. The expert notes that if a person does not monitor his posture, often uses a smartphone, bends his head, and neglects sports exercises, then the risk of degenerative changes in the spine increases and, as a result, unpleasant symptoms appear, including dizziness.
“K Risk factors also include anemia (lack of iron), excessive alcohol consumption and drug therapy, since some drugs can affect coordination,” added Mikhail Ignatov.
According to neurologist Yana Kotlyar, vertigo can cause, for example, taking nitroglycerin, antidepressants, tranquilizers, barbiturates, most drugs to lower blood pressure, aminoglycosides (antibiotics).

< h2 id="1899426395-5">Symptoms

Dizziness may be accompanied by a number of other symptoms. Doctor Mikhail Ignatov listed the most common signals of the body during vertigo:

1. Headache, including the appearance of migraine, if dizziness is periodic and prolonged.
2.Nausea and vomiting. They occur with significant pathological changes in the condition.
3. Rarely, dizziness can lead to loss of consciousness, which is a serious symptom and requires immediate medical attention.

< li class="article__list-item">4. Noise in the ears (tinnitus). Sometimes dizziness may be accompanied by ringing in the ears, incessant noise or whistling, which interfere with normal functioning.

5. Pale skin and excessive sweating.
6. Leg cramps, decreased vision, partial hearing loss. This is due to poor circulation.
7. Development of pain syndrome. If dizziness is only a symptom, then it is accompanied by pain in the area that caused poor health.

Pathogenesis

Human orientation in space depends on the interaction of three main body systems:

1. The vision system (eyes) provides information about the position of the body in the surrounding space.
2. The proprioception system (muscles and joints) provides data about the movements and position of the limbs relative to the body.< /li>
3. The vestibular system (ear labyrinth) transmits information about the position of the body in space and changes in it.

Disruption of the interaction of these systems can lead to that the person will feel disorientated.

Dizziness can also be caused by disturbances in the functioning of the vestibular system, pressure changes, injuries (for example, concussion).

Types of dizziness

According to Yana Kotlyar, globally, dizziness is divided into two types: systemic and non-systemic.

With systemic dizziness, the patient feels as if on a carousel: objects and the surrounding space are spinning before the eyes or as if the person himself is spinning in space.< br />“With non-systemic dizziness, the patient is bothered by a feeling of instability: he wants to lean on something, he feels a “fog” before his eyes, a “wobbly” head. Also, with certain diseases, hearing loss and headache may additionally appear,” commented the neurologist.
However, there is a more detailed classification.

Vestibular

Vestibular vertigo is associated with disorders of the inner ear and balance organs. Notable examples are positional vertigo and Meniere's disease.

Positional vertigo

BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) is a sudden onset of severe systemic vertigo, sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting . Symptoms worsen when turning the head in one direction.

“The classic story is when a patient develops such an attack, he calls an ambulance, they do an MRI of his brain, where no pathology is found and he is discharged from the hospital. An attack of such dizziness lasts several days with a gradual decrease in symptoms and then completely disappears, but can recur several times,” said Yana Kotlyar.
BPPV is caused by small crystals of calcium salts floating in the vestibular apparatus. The specialist claims that, despite the severity of the symptoms, they are completely safe.

Meniere's disease

“Meniere's disease is repeated attacks of systemic vertigo along with unilateral auditory symptoms (noise, decreased hearing, a feeling of fullness in the ear) lasting from 20 minutes to several hours. The disease occurs when the fluid that is normally present in the vestibular apparatus becomes too much,” explained Yana Kotler.

Meniere’s disease can be caused by viral infections, allergic and autoimmune processes. To diagnose pathology, it is necessary to conduct pure tone threshold audiometry to assess the level and nature of hearing loss.
The expert noted that the disease may have an atypical course and resemble other pathologies, so diagnosing it is not so easy. The main danger of Meniere's disease is the gradual loss of hearing. Therefore, it is important to start treatment on time. Usually it consists of following a diet, proper relief of an attack, a course of treatment with medications, and giving up caffeine and alcohol.

Non-vestibular

Non-vestibular vertigo is associated with the cardiovascular, nervous or musculoskeletal systems. This group includes postural hypotension (dizziness when changing body position) and dizziness caused by anemia.

Central

Central vertigo occurs due to damage or disturbance of the central nervous system : for example, stroke or brain tumor.

Psychogenic

Psychogenic (psychosomatic) dizziness can be triggered by stress, anxiety, depression or panic attacks. This type of dizziness is directly influenced by a person’s emotional state.

Dizziness due to external factors

Dizziness can occur not only for physiological reasons. For example, a condition as if the ground is disappearing from under your feet often appears due to a sudden onset of movement, oversaturation of the lungs with oxygen, severe fear, low levels of hemoglobin in the blood, insufficient nutrition or starvation, pregnancy, etc.

Development stages

When analyzing the appearance of dizziness, Mikhail Ignatov identifies the following stages of development:

Provoking stage. This is the preliminary stage at which the impact appears — stress, injury, change in body position, physical activity, change in pressure, etc.
Initial stage. The moment when a person just begins to feel disorientated.
Highest degree. Dizziness reaches maximum intensity. At this time, a person may feel nausea, the body ceases to stand on its feet, and additional symptoms appear, depending on the causes of the development of the pathology.
Decreasing stage. After reaching the peak intensity, the dizziness begins to gradually decrease. The person returns to his usual angle of vision.
Residual phenomena.

“For some time after the attack, a person may feel residual dizziness or instability after the condition itself has disappeared,” the doctor explained.

Danger and consequences< /h2>If the state of disorientation bothers you at home in comfortable conditions, all that remains is to find the cause of the development of the pathology. But when dizziness occurs during activity, it can be a significant risk factor for loss of balance and subsequent injuries such as bruises, dislocations or fractures.

“If you are driving and feel dizzy while driving, it may lead to an accident and serious injuries,” noted Mikhail Ignatov.
Dizziness can cause anxiety and panic, especially if it occurs repeatedly. Persistent dizziness significantly impairs quality of life by limiting the ability to perform daily tasks.

< h2 id="1899426395-17">Diagnostics

To diagnose dizziness, you first need to consult a neurologist. The specialist conducts an examination, as well as a special otoneurological examination, which includes various samples and tests. Yana Kotler emphasized that it is impossible to diagnose the pathology on your own.

Diagnosis of dizziness includes fairly simple steps:

1.Medical examination and history taking.
2.Neurological testing, which allows you to evaluate coordination of movements, reflexes and other functions of the nervous system.
3.Vestibular tests of balance and coordination to analyze the quality of functioning of the vestibular system.
4.Laboratory tests: blood tests to determine levels of glucose, hemoglobin or thyroid function.
4.Laboratory tests: blood tests to determine levels of glucose, hemoglobin or thyroid function.
5.Instrumental studies: vestibulometry, MRI or CT scan of the brain, electroencephalogram, tests for allergies, food intolerance and infections.

Treatment

The method of treating dizziness is prescribed by the doctor based on the diagnosis. If the causes of the problem are the development of other pathologies, then specialists usually suggest drug therapy. However, both physiotherapy and vestibular exercises can help get rid of the condition.

It is believed that as acute dizziness is relieved, it is necessary to carry out active rehabilitation of the patient, including therapeutic exercises, dosed physical activity and physiotherapeutic measures.< br />

Drug therapy

If the cause of dizziness is a circulatory disorder, the doctor prescribes vasodilators. In this case, it is possible to additionally take antihistamines or other drugs that improve the rheological properties of blood (motility, aggregation activity of red blood cells, platelets and leukocytes, blood plasma viscosity).

If dizzy due to a neurological disease, the patient is discharged nootropics. These medications improve nerve conduction.
For osteochondrosis, which can also cause dizziness, complex treatment is required. In this case, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are prescribed.
But dizziness in women associated with menopause or the menstrual cycle is treated with hormonal therapy.

Pills for dizziness

To alleviate the condition during an attack, the doctor can prescribe antihistamines, anti-anxiety medications, slow calcium channel blockers. In some cases, it is recommended to take a short course of corticosteroids, which can improve the body's vestibular functions.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy for dizziness includes magnetic therapy, laser exposure, electrophoresis, etc. Typically, doctors prescribe physical therapy as a concomitant method of combating vertigo along with taking medications.

Gymnastics

Depending on the cause of dizziness, the emphasis is on vestibular exercises, exercises to improve the functions of the sensory and motor systems, exercises to improve orientation and perception (the ability to perceive the world around us through the senses) or exercises for visual desensitization (decreased sensitivity of receptors).
Vestibular exercises include movements of the eyes, head and changes in body position that provoke dizziness.

Improving the functions of sensory and motor systems

Such exercises are aimed at training balance in a standing position and while walking. They are especially recommended for patients with lesions of the central nervous system and postural instability, for example, with multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease.

Improving orientation and perception

In this case, the exercises are aimed at maintaining balance. At the same time, the physical activity performed gradually becomes more difficult. Deprivation of support from other systems responsible for balance allows the remaining vestibular stimuli to be trained.
Thus, patients with a predominantly proprioceptive orientation (perception — understanding the position of parts of one’s own body in space) perform exercises on soft, inclined or oscillating surfaces. But people with a predominantly visual orientation should do everything with their eyes closed.

Prevention and prognosis

To avoid attacks of dizziness, Mikhail Ignatov strongly recommends taking the following measures:

maintain an active lifestyle. Regular exercise strengthens the cardiovascular system and improves blood supply to the brain.
monitor your diet. Create a balanced diet that includes foods rich in vitamins and minerals. This will help maintain healthy blood circulation and reduce the risk of anemia.
reduce stress levels. You can cope with emotional instability by practicing relaxation methods such as yoga or meditation.

The expert also advises giving up bad habits (alcohol and cigarettes) and following some simple rules:

1. Pay special attention to night rest. Do not give up 8 hours of sleep, do not take gadgets to bed and choose an orthopedic pillow and mattress to avoid clamps and displacements that affect blood access to the brain.
2. Do not put your life at physical risk.

“ Even an ordinary bungee jump or a fall while snowboarding can cause the development of pathological conditions in the spine and the appearance of dizziness,” Mikhail Ignatov is sure.

1.Choose orthopedic shoes. Correct position of the body, spine, support of the feet is the key to good posture and excellent prevention of vertigo.
2. Monitor blood sugar levels when diagnosing diabetes.
3. Monitor blood pressure.

The prognosis depends on the causes of dizziness, but in any case, a sudden feeling of disorientation in space is a reason to visit a doctor. Delay, in some cases, can lead to serious negative health consequences, especially when it comes to stroke or other cardiovascular diseases.

Recommendations doctors

According to Yana Kotler, if dizziness bothers you, you don’t have to endure it. She notes that doctors cannot always completely rid a person of symptoms, but they can improve the quality of life, talk about the causes and prognosis.
“I know that often patients go to many doctors in an attempt to cure dizziness and, unfortunately, suffer failure, and then completely lose hope. It is important to find a specialist who follows an evidence-based approach to treatment. Sometimes it’s not easy, but the result is definitely worth it,” the expert added.
In turn, Mikhail Ignatov advises undergoing medical examination at least once a year in order to identify possible pathologies at an early stage of development.
The specialist warns that people over 60 years of age are at risk. The fact is that spatial disorientation in the elderly is becoming the most common cause of falls and fractures.
According to experts, it is important to always closely monitor your health, not ignore the body’s alarm signals and promptly seek medical help.
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