Dizziness

What is dizziness?

Dizziness is a feeling of lightheadedness, causing one to feel unstable, lose balance or feel like the room is spinning. Vertigo – a common type of dizziness – refers to a sensation that one or one’s surrounding environment is moving. Motion sickness is a type of dizziness that occurs when riding in a car or a moving vehicle.

What are its causes and concerns?

Dizziness may happen due to several different reasons, which the doctor should ascertain to treat it properly. It often occurs among people who have persistent allergies. Some causes of dizziness may be:

Anxiety – A panic attack or symptoms of anxiety can make one feel lightheaded and throw off one’s balance.

Neurological diseases – Diseases that affect the nervous system can make one feel unstable.

Circulation – Poor blood circulation to the brain can make one feel dizzy. This may also happen if one stands up quickly from a lying down or sitting position because the body moves faster than the blood flow.

Suppose one experiences chest pains, stiff neck, a fever over 101 degrees or dizziness after hitting the head on something. In that case, it may be a cause for concern and this should be inspected by a doctor immediately. If dizziness is accompanied by hearing loss or if one is feeling dizzy for the first time, it may be indicative of more serious problems and one must seek help from an allergy specialist.

What are its symptoms?

Some common symptoms that occur along with dizziness from persistent allergies are:

  • Headaches
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Itchy, watery eyes
  • Nasal drainage and congestion
  • Sneezing or coughing

What are the solutions and treatment options?

Since many different things could cause dizziness, the doctor needs to determine the exact cause of the problem. Therefore, when you visit them, he or she asks you a series of questions to determine why you feel dizzy; they conduct a physical examination as well as tests like blood pressure check, imaging and allergy testing.

The doctor may prescribe medication (to be taken daily) to provide relief from the dizziness or in some cases, may recommend doing balancing exercises to improve your balance.

Apart from these treatment options, there are some things you can do to help reduce your chances of experiencing dizziness. These tips, however, do not replace medical treatment. They include:

  • Staying hydrated
  • Treating any ear and sinus infections
  • Avoiding rapid head motions
  • Avoiding quick changes in positions
  • Avoiding sitting backwards in vehicles
  • Avoiding reading while in a vehicle

In conclusion

Many people suffer from some or the other form of dizziness in their lifetimes. It may not always have an underlying cause and could happen to anyone. Most cases of dizziness are mild and do not require extensive treatment. They can be managed with the help of some simple tips. However, when people with persistent allergies experience recurring dizziness, medical care may be required. Give us a call and let us put our heads together to find you a solution to your problems.

Additional Reading: http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/dizzinessMotionSickness.cfm

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