Dizziness is a term used to describe a wide range of sensations, such as faintness, weakness, loss of balance, and more. When dizziness creates a false sensation that our surroundings are spinning or moving, or that we ourselves are moving, it is called vertigo.
Dizziness is one of the most common reasons for a patient to visit their doctor. When it occurs frequently or persistently, it can significantly impact daily life, but it rarely poses a life-threatening risk.
Symptoms of Dizziness
- False sensation of movement or spinning (vertigo)
- Feeling faint
- Instability or loss of balance
- Sensation of floating
- Confusion or lightheadedness
- Heaviness
These sensations may be triggered or worsened by walking, standing up, or moving the head. Dizziness may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting and can be so sudden or severe that the person needs to sit or lie down. Episodes can last from seconds to days and may recur.
Causes of Dizziness
Dizziness can have multiple causes, ranging from inner ear problems to adverse medication effects. The characteristics of dizziness and its triggers provide clues about the underlying causes, as do its duration and associated symptoms.
Inner Ear Disorders (Vertigo)
Balance depends on a combination of signals sent to the brain from various sensory systems, including vision, the inner ear, and the body’s sensory system.
Vertigo is the illusionary sensation of movement. When there is an issue with the inner ear, the brain receives inconsistent signals from it, conflicting with what the eyes and sensory nerves perceive. Vertigo results from the brain attempting to resolve this confusion.
Depending on the characteristics of vertigo, a more specific diagnosis can be made, such as:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Ménière’s Disease
- Vestibular Neuritis
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo
- Other conditions
Dizziness Related to Circulatory Problems
Examples include low blood pressure or poor arterial circulation due to heart conditions.
Other Causes of Dizziness
- Neurological disorders: Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, etc.
- Adverse medication effects
- Anxiety
- Anemia
- Hypoglycemia
- Dehydration
Risk Factors
Advanced age is a risk factor, as older adults are more likely to have medical conditions and take medications that can cause dizziness as a side effect. Having experienced previous episodes of dizziness or vertigo is also a risk factor for recurrence.
Complications
Dizziness can increase the risk of falls and injuries. Experiencing dizziness while driving a car or operating heavy machinery can raise the likelihood of an accident. There may also be long-term consequences if an underlying medical condition causing the dizziness is not treated in a timely manner.
Diagnosis of Dizziness
To diagnose and treat vertigo caused by an inner ear disorder, an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) evaluation is needed. Other causes of dizziness may require assessment by different specialists, such as a primary care physician, internist, cardiologist, or neurologist, depending on the case.
At Clínica Beltrán, if vertigo is suspected, a basic otoneurological examination will be performed, followed by hearing tests and additional vestibular tests to achieve a more precise diagnosis. Available complementary tests include:
- Audiometry
- v-HIT (6 channels)
- VEMPs
- Electronystagmography
Treatment of Dizziness
In many cases, vertigo improves on its own within a few weeks without treatment, as the brain can compensate for the imbalance. However, treatment options depend on the cause and the patient’s progress.
- Medication: Includes sedatives, anti-vertigo drugs, antiemetics, diuretics, vasodilators, and medications to prevent migraine episodes, among others.
- Rehabilitation: Includes repositioning maneuvers for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Another form of vestibular rehabilitation involves specific exercises that can be done at home or in specialized centers.
- Surgery and Other Procedures: Includes intratympanic injections and surgical interventions such as labyrinthectomy and selective vestibular nerve neurectomy.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Seek immediate medical attention if dizziness is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- Sudden or severe headache
- Persistent vomiting
- Sudden changes in speech, vision, or hearing
- Difficulty walking
- Loss of consciousness
- Chest pain or irregular heart rate
- Numbness or weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- High fever
- Stiff neck
- Head trauma
- Seizures
Consult a doctor if symptoms are recurrent, prolonged, or do not improve with treatment.