Description

Dizziness and Vertigo – Understanding the Causes and Finding Your Balance

Feeling off balance or whirling dizziness can be alarming symptoms. But understanding the most common causes of vertigo and dizziness empowers you to find solutions. With evaluation and treatment from your doctor, you can get back your sense of balance.

What’s Causing Dizziness?

Dizziness has many possible causes, including:

• BPPV: Tiny calcium particles in the inner ear cause vertigo with position changes. It causes brief intense spinning.
• Meniere’s disease: Fluid buildup in the inner ear leads to vertigo along with ringing ears and hearing loss. It occurs in episodes.
• Vestibular neuritis: A viral infection inflames the vestibular nerve, interrupting balance signals to the brain.
• Stroke: Circulation loss in the brain can affect the balance center, causing persistent dizziness.
• Medications: Drugs like antihistamines, sedatives, and blood pressure medications can impair balance.
• Low blood pressure: A sudden drop in blood pressure due to dehydration, blood loss, or heart issues triggers lightheaded dizziness.

Diagnosing the Problem

To pinpoint the cause, your doctor will:

• Ask about your symptoms and perform a physical
• Check your medications for side effects
• Examine your ears, eyes, and nervous system function
• Order imaging tests like an MRI
• Conduct special balance assessments

Finding Relief

Common treatments for dizziness and vertigo include:

• Vestibular rehabilitation exercises to improve balance
• Medication adjustments
• Repositioning maneuvers for BPPV
• Surgery for inner ear problems
• Treating infections or stroke
• Diet modifications to control Meniere’s
• Stress management and counseling for anxiety

Dizziness should never be ignored. Make an appointment with your doctor to evaluate any persistent sensations of imbalance, spinning, floating, or unsteadiness. Successfully diagnosing the cause is the first step toward finding your footing once again.