Dizziness is a term used to describe several types of sensations, including faintness, weakness, or unsteadiness. The severe dizziness that creates the false feeling that the person or what is around them is moving is called vertigo, a condition that can affect everyday life and to which we have dedicated a separate article.
Morning sickness – dehydration
Decreased blood glucose concentration
Dizziness and vitamin D deficiency
Dizziness is also one of the most common reasons for visiting the family doctor. Frequent or constant dizziness can significantly affect one’s existence, but they rarely signal a life-threatening condition.
Treatment for dizziness depends on the cause and symptoms of each person. This is usually effective, but the problem may recur.
Symptoms of dizziness
The person experiencing dizziness may describe it as any of the following sensations:
- a false sense of movement or spinning (vertigo)
- feeling faint
- instability or loss of balance
- sensation of floating
- heavy head feeling
Dizziness can be triggered or worsened by walking, standing, or moving the head.
Dizziness may be accompanied by nausea or may be so sudden or severe that the person needs to sit or lie down. The episode may last seconds or days and may recur.
Common causes of dizziness include:
- migraine
- the medicines
- alcohol
- a disorder of the inner ear, responsible for balance
- Meniere’s disease, which causes fluid to build up in the ear and is associated with hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
- an acoustic neuroma, a noncancerous tumor that forms on the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain
- sudden drop in blood pressure
- cardiomyopathy
- decrease in blood volume
- anxiety disorders
- anemia (low iron)
- hypoglycemia (low blood glucose concentration)
- ear infection
- dehydration
- sunstroke
- excessive physical exercise
- motion sickness
- multiple sclerosis
- cerebrovascular accident
- a malignant tumor or other brain disorder
Morning sickness – dehydration
Occasional morning dizziness is usually nothing to worry about. Causes may include:
Dehydration
People who are dehydrated during the night can sometimes wake up feeling dizzy. Other signs of dehydration may include:
- the feeling of thirst
- fatigue
- headaches
- dry mouth and lips
Reasons why a person wakes up dehydrated can include:
- insufficient fluid intake during the day
- sleeping in an environment that is too warm
- excessive alcohol consumption
- diseases that cause vomiting and diarrhea
- drugs that cause a person to urinate more
- too many caffeinated drinks, make a person urinate more
- Low blood pressure
- Low blood pressure (hypotension) can make some people feel dizzy. It can also decrease suddenly when a person goes from a lying or sitting position to an upright position, such as when getting out of bed in the morning. This sudden drop in blood pressure is called postural or orthostatic hypotension
Symptoms of postural hypotension may include:
- dizziness
- blurry vision
- faint
Low blood pressure can sometimes be a symptom of another condition, such as Parkinson’s disease or Addison’s disease. Prolonged bed rest and certain medications, such as beta-blockers, can also cause low blood pressure.
For people experiencing postural hypotension, standing up or getting out of bed slowly and gradually can help prevent dizziness or fainting. Wearing compression stockings during the day can also help some people.
If a drug is causing low blood pressure, the doctor may recommend changing the dose or switching to another drug. Treating any underlying conditions can also help prevent low blood pressure symptoms.
Decreased blood glucose concentration
Early morning lightheadedness can be a symptom of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Low blood glucose is more common in people with diabetes, especially those taking insulin.
In people with diabetes, causes of low blood sugar can include:
- using too much insulin or other diabetes medications
- skipping meals or eating less
- intense physical activity
- excessive alcohol consumption
Symptoms of low blood sugar can include:
- trembling
- headaches
- fatigue
- blurry vision
- difficulty concentrating or confusion
- excessive sweating
However, anyone can have low blood sugar, without always having an obvious cause. People who regularly experience symptoms of low blood glucose should see a doctor.
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is a viral or bacterial infection of the inner ear that can lead to dizziness. The infection causes inflammation of the labyrinth (the system of cavities and canals that make up the inner ear), which plays an important role in maintaining a person’s balance.
Symptoms of labyrinthitis may include:
- earache
- headaches
- a ringing or humming in the ear
- blurred or double vision
- nausea or vomiting
- inability to stand up or maintain an upright position
Labyrinthitis is most commonly caused by a viral infection and often occurs after a cold or flu. Treatment usually involves rest and high fluid intake. For people with more severe symptoms, the doctor may recommend medication to reduce dizziness and nausea. He may also prescribe an antibiotic if the labyrinthitis is caused by a bacterial infection.
Drugs
Some medications can cause dizziness as a side effect. These medications include certain:
- antibiotics
- diuretics
- opioid-based analgesics
- antiepileptics
- immunosuppressive drugs
- antidepressants
- antipsychotics
- antiretroviral drugs
If a certain medication seems to cause morning sickness, it should be discussed with the doctor who prescribed it. He may recommend changing the dose or switching to another treatment.
Obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can sometimes cause morning sickness. It occurs when a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted or blocked during sleep. These disruptions disrupt sleep and can affect blood oxygen levels.
Other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea may include:
- loud snoring and gasping during sleep
- the need to urinate more often during the night
- dry mouth and headache in the morning
- concentration and memory difficulties
- excessive fatigue during the day
In the long term, the disorder can increase a person’s risk of developing several chronic conditions, such as heart problems, diabetes and asthma.
People with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea should see a doctor for an evaluation. Depending on the underlying cause of the disorder, treatment options may include lifestyle interventions, wearing a breathing device at night, and surgery.
Dizziness and vitamin D deficiency
The results of some clinical studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of vitamin D treatment on lower limb muscle strength, body balance and physical performance in subjects over 50 years of age.
Since vitamin D deficiency results in fatigue, bone pain, cramps or muscle weakness, which can result in dizziness and imbalance, checking your vitamin D levels and supplementing can help reduce dizziness.
Dizziness and shaking
Dizziness and shaking may suggest the presence of cardiac or neurological problems, such as tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, and low blood pressure. Hypotensive episodes can also come with dizziness and tremors, but also with sweating and nausea. There are medications for all of these, including tremors, although the most common causes of dizziness and tremors are nervousness, stress, and excessive caffeine consumption.
Many other conditions or medical conditions can be associated with dizziness and tremors, but we will talk about the following:
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. The heartbeat can be irregular, too slow (bradycardia) or too fast (tachycardia). When a single heartbeat occurs earlier than normal, it is called a premature contraction.
Tremor
Tremor refers to involuntary movements of one or more parts of the body. Causes of tremors include neurological disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, medications, mercury poisoning, overactive thyroid, and liver failure. There are several types of tremors, and treatment depends on the type of tremor and the availability of medications for the condition.
Panic attack
When someone has a panic attack, that person feels a sudden, intense fear that cannot be controlled. People who have panic attacks often feel like they are having a heart attack, losing control, suffocating, or dying. During a panic attack, the person may experience chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, chills, sweating, dizziness, or a feeling of suffocation. It’s not always clear what causes panic attacks, but it may have something to do with genetics or stress.
Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system. It usually starts in people over the age of 60 and progresses slowly. The disease destroys brain cells that produce dopamine, a brain chemical that helps control movement.
In the early stages, Parkinson’s disease can cause problems with smell or sleep and constipation. Over time, the disease leads to tremors, stiffness, slow movement, and impaired balance and coordination. This can make it difficult to walk, talk and perform everyday tasks.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but medications, surgery, and deep brain stimulation can help control symptoms and manage the condition. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy also help.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues. Anemia can cause fatigue, pale skin, weakness, dizziness, tremors, headache, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
There are many types of anemia and many causes, including blood loss and vitamin deficiency. Pregnancy, chronic illness, cancer, and autoimmune disorders can also cause anemia. Depending on the type of anemia a person is suffering from, there are several types of treatments.
Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation occurs when the lack of restful sleep is severe enough to compromise basic body functions and coherent thinking. People need different sleep schedules, but on average, adults need 7 to 9 hours each night to avoid sleep deprivation.
People can be sleep deprived for many reasons, such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or insomnia. Some work night shifts and others simply try to get by on less sleep. Regardless of the reason, sleep deprivation can cause daytime sleepiness, fatigue, dizziness, lack of concentration, irritability, tremors, erectile dysfunction, and depression. Lack of sleep is also linked to weight gain and can increase the risk of heart disease.
Drug addiction
Certain drugs, such as cocaine, can be easily addictive. Addiction occurs when a person cannot stop using drugs, even though continued use causes legal problems, job loss, health problems, and relationship problems. People who are addicted to drugs develop tolerance to them, so they need more to achieve the same state of happiness.
Cocaine abuse, for example, increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke, and leads to digestive problems, malnutrition, breathing problems, paranoia or hallucinations. Treatment for drug addiction includes medication to help ease withdrawal, therapy, as well as treatment of any underlying mental health problem.
Diagnosing dizziness
If the doctor suspects that the person suffering from dizziness has had or is having a stroke, or if the person is older or has suffered a blow to the head, they may immediately order an MRI or a CT scan.
Most people who visit their GP because of dizziness will first be asked about their symptoms and the medicines they are taking, and then they will be given a physical examination. During this exam, the doctor will check for balance problems and how the major nerves of the central nervous system are working.
Among the tests that can be carried out, we mention:
- Eye movement testing – The doctor can track the path of the eyes when the person follows a moving object. An eye movement test can also be done after water or air has been introduced into the ear canal.
- Head movement testing – If the doctor suspects that the dizziness is caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, he may perform a simple head movement test, called the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, to verify the diagnosis.
- Posturography – This test shows the doctor which parts of the balance system a person relies on the most and which parts can cause problems. The test consists of standing with bare feet on a platform while trying to maintain balance in various conditions.
- Rotary Chair Testing – During this test, the person sits on a computer-controlled chair that moves very slowly in a complete circle. At higher speeds, it moves back and forth in a very small arc.
In addition, blood tests may be done to check for the possibility of infection and other tests to check the health of the heart and blood vessels.
Treatment of dizziness
Dizziness can often be relieved without treatment, as the body adapts to the cause of the dizziness within a few weeks, whether it is caused by a medication or a minor problem.
Treatment recommended by a doctor may include medication and balance exercises. Even if no cause is found or if the dizziness persists, prescription drugs and other treatments such as therapy or surgical procedures can make the symptoms more manageable.
Drugs
- Diuretics – For Meniere’s disease, your doctor may prescribe diuretics, which, along with a low-salt diet, can help reduce the frequency of dizziness
- Medications that relieve dizziness and nausea – Your doctor may prescribe medications to immediately relieve vertigo, dizziness, and nausea, including antihistamines and anticholinergics. Many of these drugs cause drowsiness
- Anti-anxiety drugs – Diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax) are part of a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which can be addictive. They can also cause drowsiness
- Migraine preventive medications
Therapy
- Head repositioning maneuvers – A technique called canal repositioning (or the Epley maneuver) usually helps resolve benign paroxysmal positional vertigo more quickly than simply waiting for the dizziness to go away. The maneuver can be done by a specialist doctor, an audiologist or a physiotherapist, usually requiring two sessions for the situation to improve. Before a person undergoes this procedure, it is recommended that they tell their doctor if they suffer from a neck or back condition, retinal detachment, or blood vessel problems.
- Balance Therapy – Specific exercises can be taught to make the balance system less sensitive to movement. These are used by people who suffer from vertigo due to inner ear conditions such as vestibular neuritis.
- Psychotherapy – This type of therapy can help people whose dizziness is caused by anxiety disorders.
- Surgical or other procedures
- Injections – The specialist doctor can inject the inner ear with the antibiotic gentamicin to disable the balance function. The unaffected ear then takes over this function.
- Removal of the inner ear sense organ – A procedure that is rarely used is called a labyrinthectomy. It deactivates the vestibular labyrinth in the affected ear, and the other ear takes over the balance function. This technique is used when the hearing loss is severe and the dizziness does not improve with other treatments.
Sources:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/dizziness#when-to-seek-help
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324724
- https://www.healthline.com/health/ringing-in-ears-dizziness-pressure-in-head#tinnitus
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4913711/#B12
- https://www.medicinenet.com/feeling_faint_lightheadedness_and_shaking
- https://symptomchecker.webmd.com/multiple-symptoms
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dizziness/diagnosis-treatment/drc20371792#:~:text=Sit%20or%20lie%20down%
