Feeling lightheaded? Woozy? A little dizzy? You’re not alone. Dizziness is one of the most common complaints general practitioners hear!
Many different things can cause dizziness, which is why medical professionals distinguish between different types of dizziness.
- Vertigo: a spinning sensation.
- Disequilibrium: the feeling of being off-balance.
- Dizziness: can include light-headedness, vertigo, and disequilibrium.
The spinning sensation of vertigo usually indicates an inner ear problem. The problem can be caused by any number of things, including head injury, virus, or problems with inner ear fluid. When things aren’t quite right in the inner ear, your brain gets incorrect messages about balance. Cue vertigo!
Disequilibrium and dizziness can also be caused by any number of things, including dehydration, fainting, and inner ear issues. Some medications may cause dizziness as a side effect! Dizziness may also be caused by more serious health issues, so if you are concerned you should give your doctor a call.
Much of the time, occasional and mild dizziness isn’t a serious problem. But you should call your doctor if you experience:
- Dizziness that comes on suddenly and comes with chest pains, a rapid heartbeat, blurred vision, or numbness in the limbs. This could be a sign of a heart attack or stroke.
- Dizziness that is followed by deafness or ringing in the ears. This could be a symptom of an inner ear disorder called Meniere’s disease, where there is too much pressure in the inner ear fluid. Other symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, jerky eye movements, and pressure or pain in one or both ears.
If you experience frequent dizziness and your doctor has ruled out serious causes, staying active is essential. While it may be tempting to stay safe and steady on the couch, moving around can help retrain your brain to reduce the dizziness response! The more you move, the less you may experience bouts of dizziness.