Questions we will cover:
There are many causes for feeling unsteady or dizzy such as poor circulation, inner ear issues, medications, injury, infection, allergies, or neurological disease. Dizziness is treatable. It is important for your ENT doctor to help you determine the cause of your dizziness so that the correct treatment is provided. Every person is affected differently, but symptoms that warrant a visit to the doctor include a high fevers, severe headaches, vomiting, chest pain, heart palpitations, convulsions, shortness of breath, hearing loss , inability to move an arm or leg, or a change in vision or speech.
Dizziness is a feeling of being lightheaded, unsteady, giddy, or a floating sensation. Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that feels like an illusion of movement of one’s self or the environment, a spinning sensation. Some people experience dizziness as motion sickness which is a nauseating feeling that is brought on by motion. This motion could be riding in an airplane, a roller coaster, boat, a car or even an elevator. Dizziness, vertigo, and motion sickness are all related to your sense of balance and equilibrium. Your balance is maintained by a complex interaction of different parts of the nervous system.
The symptoms of motion sickness or dizziness often appear when the central nervous system is receiving conflicting messages from the other four systems.
If your brain does not get enough blood flow, you feel lightheaded. Almost everyone has experienced this on occasion when you quickly stand up from a lying-down position. Some people may frequently have light-headedness from poor circulation. This could be caused by arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. It is usually seen in patients who have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. It can also happen in patients with inadequate heart function, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or anemia (low iron).
There are also certain drugs that decrease the blood flow to the brain including stimulants like nicotine or caffeine. Excess salt in the diet can also lead to poor circulation. Circulation can also be impaired by spasms in the arteries caused by tension, emotional stress or anxiety.
If the inner ear fails to receive enough blood flow people experience vertigo. The inner ear is sensitive to alterations in the blood flow.
A number of neurological diseases can affect balance including multiple sclerosis, syphilis, tumors. These are uncommon causes.
Anxiety: Anxiety can be a cause of dizziness and lightheadedness. Hyperventilation can happen, or just mild dizziness with tingling in the extremities.
Vertigo is the sensation of spinning, usually associated with nausea and vomiting. Vertigo usually caused by an inner ear issue.
Routine tests to check blood pressure, nerve and balance function, and hearing. Potentially, additional tests may be needed such as a CT or MRI scan, eye motion tests, warm or cold water or air is used to stimulate the inner ear (ENG—electronystagmography or VNG—videonystagmography), blood tests or a heart evaluation. The doctor will determine the best treatment based on symptoms and their causes. Treatments may include medications and balance exercises.
Frequently dizziness and motion sickness are mild and self-treatable. But if they are severe or become progressively worse seek the attention of a doctor who specializes in diseases of the ear, nose, throat, equilibrium, and neurological systems.
Call Colorado ENT at (719) 867-7800 to make an appointment today and let us help you live a happier, healthier life!