Dizziness What Is Dizziness? Some people describe a balance problem by saying they
feel dizzy, lightheaded, unsteady, or giddy. This feeling of imbalance
or dysequilibrium, without a sensation of turning or spinning, is sometimes
due to an inner ear problem. What Is Vertigo? Vertigo is a form of dizziness that is defined as a feeling
of the hallucination of movement. The word vertigo comes from the Latin
verb "to turn". Patients that experience vertigo often say that they,
or their surroundings, are turning or spinning. Vertigo is frequently
due to an inner ear problem. What Medical Conditions Cause Dizziness? Circulation: If your brain does not
get enough blood flow, you feel light headed. Almost everyone has experienced
this on occasion when standing up quickly from a lying down position.
But some people have light headedness from poor circulation on a frequent
or chronic basis. This could be caused by arteriosclerosis or hardening
of the arteries, and it is commonly seen in patients who have high blood
pressure, diabetes, or high levels of blood fats (cholesterol). It is
sometimes seen in patients with inadequate cardiac (heart) function or
with anemia (low blood count). Certain drugs also decrease the blood flow to the brain,
especially stimulants such as nicotine and caffeine. Excess salt in the
diet also leads to poor circulation. Sometimes circulation is impaired
by spasms in the arteries caused by emotional stress, anxiety, and tension. If the inner ear fails to receive enough blood flow,
vertigo may occur. The inner ear is very sensitive to minor alterations
of blood flow and all of the causes mentioned for poor circulation to
the brain also apply specifically to the inner ear. Injury: A skull fracture that damages
the inner ear produces a profound and incapacitating vertigo with nausea
and hearing loss. The dizziness will last for several weeks, then slowly
improve as the normal (other) side takes over. Infection: Viruses, such as those causing
the common "cold" or "flu," can attack the inner ear and its nerve connections
to the brain. This can result in severe vertigo, but hearing is usually
spared. However, a bacterial infection such as mastoiditis that extends
into the inner ear will completely destroy both the hearing and the equilibrium
function of that ear. Allergy: Some people experience dizziness
and/or vertigo attacks when they are exposed to foods or airborne particles
(such as dust, molds, pollens, danders, etc.) to which they are allergic. Neurological diseases: A number of
diseases of the nerves can affect balance, such as multiple sclerosis,
syphilis, tumors, etc. These conditions are uncommonn causes of dizziness. What Will the Physician Do for My Dizziness? The doctor will ask you to describe your feeling of dizziness,
how long and how often the dizziness has troubled you, how long a dizzy
episode lasts, and whether it is associated with hearing loss or nausea
and vomiting. You might be asked for circumstances that might bring on
a dizzy spell. You will need to answer questions about your general health,
any medicines you are taking, head injuries, recent infections, and other
questions about your ear and neurological system. Your physician will examine your ears, nose, and throat
and do tests of nerve and balance function. Because the inner ear controls
both balance and hearing, disorders of balance often affect hearing and
vice versa. Therefore, your physician will probably recommend hearing
tests (audiograms). The physician might order a CT or MRI scan of your
head, or special tests of eye motion after warm or cold water is used
to stimulate the inner ear (ENG - electronystagmography). In some cases,
blood tests or a cardiology (heart) evaluation might be recommended. Not every patient will require every test. The physician's
judgement will be based on each particular patient. Similarly, the treatments
recommended by your physician will depend on the diagnosis. Remember: Most cases of dizziness
are mild and self-treatable disorders. But, severe cases and those that
become progressively worse, deserve the attention of a physician with
specialized skills in diseases of the ear, equilibrium, and neurological
systems. |