Dizziness (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==What causes Dizziness?== | ==What causes Dizziness?== | ||
[[Light-headedness]] happens when there is not enough [[blood]] getting to the [[brain]]. This can happen if there is a sudden drop in your [[blood pressure]] or you are [[dehydrated]] from [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]], [[fever]], or other causes. Many people, especially as they get older, experience [[light-headedness]] if they get up too quickly from a lying or seated position. [[Light-headedness]] often accompanies the [[flu]], [[hypoglycemia]], [[common cold]], or [[allergies]]. | |||
More serious [[conditions]] that can lead to [[light-headedness]] include heart problems (such as abnormal [[heart rhythm]] or [[heart attack]]), [[stroke]], and severe drop in [[blood pressure]] ([[shock]]). If any of these serious disorders is present, you will usually have additional symptoms like [[chest pain]], a feeling of a racing heart, loss of speech, change in [[vision]], or other symptoms. | |||
The most common causes of [[vertigo]] are [[benign positional vertigo]] and [[labyrinthitis]]. [[Benign positional vertigo]] is [[vertigo]] that happens when you change the position of your head. [[Labyrinthitis]] usually follows a [[cold]] or [[flu]] and is caused by a [[viral infection]] of the [[inner ear]]. [[Meniere's disease]] is another common [[inner ear]] problem. It causes [[vertigo]], loss of balance, and ringing in the ears. | |||
Much less commonly, [[vertigo]] or feeling unsteady is a sign of [[stroke]], [[multiple sclerosis]], [[seizures]], a [[brain tumor]], or a bleed in your [[brain]]. In such conditions, other symptoms usually accompany the [[vertigo]] or imbalance. | |||
==How do I know I have Dizziness?== | ==How do I know I have Dizziness?== |
Revision as of 18:22, 20 April 2010
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What is Dizziness?
Dizziness is light-headedness, feeling like you might faint, being unsteady, loss of balance, or vertigo (a feeling that you or the room is spinning or moving).
Most causes of dizziness are not serious and either quickly get better on their own or are easily treated.
What are the symptoms of Dizziness?
What causes Dizziness?
Light-headedness happens when there is not enough blood getting to the brain. This can happen if there is a sudden drop in your blood pressure or you are dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or other causes. Many people, especially as they get older, experience light-headedness if they get up too quickly from a lying or seated position. Light-headedness often accompanies the flu, hypoglycemia, common cold, or allergies.
More serious conditions that can lead to light-headedness include heart problems (such as abnormal heart rhythm or heart attack), stroke, and severe drop in blood pressure (shock). If any of these serious disorders is present, you will usually have additional symptoms like chest pain, a feeling of a racing heart, loss of speech, change in vision, or other symptoms.
The most common causes of vertigo are benign positional vertigo and labyrinthitis. Benign positional vertigo is vertigo that happens when you change the position of your head. Labyrinthitis usually follows a cold or flu and is caused by a viral infection of the inner ear. Meniere's disease is another common inner ear problem. It causes vertigo, loss of balance, and ringing in the ears.
Much less commonly, vertigo or feeling unsteady is a sign of stroke, multiple sclerosis, seizures, a brain tumor, or a bleed in your brain. In such conditions, other symptoms usually accompany the vertigo or imbalance.
How do I know I have Dizziness?
When to seek urgent medical care
Prevention
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Dizziness
Directions to Hospitals Treating Dizziness