Dizziness and vertigo

Dizziness is a head-spinning–like situation and/or the patient may feel that there is a rotation of the surrounding objects. Dizziness and vertigo are not a disease or disorder, but a symptom of other disorder such as increased ear pressure and postural problems. Medicines may cause dizziness, or problems in your ear. Motion or altitude sickness can cause dizziness. Dizziness usually gets better by itself or is easily treated. Vertigo is a balance disorder, in which the patient experiences dizziness, and there are many causes for vertigo such as infection, drugs, Meniere’s disease, neuroma and postural problems. Vertigo can be treated easily in many cases with no abnormal underlying disease pathology.

Causes

The common causes of dizziness are vertigo, motion sickness, altitude sickness, sea sickness, certain drugs, some tumors of brain, etc. The other causes of dizziness are sudden drop in blood pressure, dehydration, inadequate blood flow to brain, optic nerves degeneration and alteration in sleep patterns, altitude, hypoglycaemia and starvation. The causes of vertigo are acoustic neuroma, inner ear infections, head trauma, migraine, diabetes, Meniere’s disease, complications of vestibular apparatus, multiple sclerosis, etc.

Symptoms of dizziness and vertigo

A. Falling or feeling as if you are going to fall

B. Light-headedness

C. Faintness, or a floating sensation

D. Blurred vision

E. Nausea or vomiting

F. Abnormal sweating

G. Abnormal eye movements

H. Ringing of ears

I. Lack of balance

J. Confusion or disorientation

K. Spinning of the head or the surrounding objects.

Diagnosis

A. Physical examinations

B. Examinations of previous medical history for underlying disease, if any

C. Ear examinations for infections

D. Eye examinations for abnormal eye movements

E. Injuries, if any

F. CT of the head

G. ECG and blood sugar

H. Familial history, if any

Treatment options for dizziness and vertigo

A. Medicines such as Corticosteroids and betahistine

B. Diuretic drugs

C. Antibiotics to treat infections, if any

D. Block busters for any heart-related problems

E. Vestibular rehabilitation

F. Medicines such as topiramate (Topamax) and rizatriptan benzoate.

Prognosis

The prognosis of dizziness and vertigo are good. In many patients, the symptoms of dizziness and vertigo will disappear without medical treatment. In some cases, medicines and supportive therapies can improve the situation and the prognosis is good.

Prevention

There are no preventive measures for dizziness and vertigo; the symptoms are to be treated accordingly.

When to see a doctor

If you experience lack of coordination, imbalance, sound/ringing of ear, headache, confusion, lack of body equilibrium and headache with nausea or vomiting or if you feel head-spinning–like reactions, it can be a symptom of vertigo. Or if you experience these symptoms even after you took the medicines, you need to consult a physician right away.