| | | | | spinning or movement of self or the surroundings |
| Many different terms are often used to describe | | | | (vertigo), or another sensation. The person is |
| what is collectively known as dizziness. Common | | | | asked when the dizziness began, how long it |
| descriptions include words such as lightheaded, | | | | lasted, what triggered or relieved it, and what |
| floating, woozy, giddy, confused, helpless or fuzzy. | | | | other symptoms—headaches, deafness, noise |
| Vertigo, disequilibrium and pre-syncope are the | | | | in the ears (tinnitus), impaired vision, weakness, or |
| terms in use by most doctors. Dizziness is | | | | difficulty walking—were present. |
| sometimes a symptom of a balance disorder. | | | | Treatment of Dizziness |
| Causes of Dizziness | | | | Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy |
| Eyes. No matter what your position, visual signals | | | | Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a type of |
| help you determine where your body is in space | | | | physical therapy used to treat vertigo. The goal |
| and how it's moving. | | | | of treatment is to minimize dizziness, improve |
| Lightheadedness happens when there is not | | | | balance, and prevent falls by restoring normal |
| enough blood getting to the brain. This can happen | | | | function of the vestibular system. |
| if there is a sudden drop in your blood pressure | | | | Medical Treatment |
| or you are dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, | | | | Treatment depends on the cause of the patient's |
| fever, or other causes. Many people, especially as | | | | dizziness. |
| they get older, experience lightheadedness if they | | | | Doctors may start emergency treatment, |
| get up too quickly from a lying or seated position. | | | | perhaps for heart attack or stroke, an |
| Lightheadedness often accompanies the flu, | | | | emergency blood transfusion, or surgery. |
| hypoglycemia, common cold, or allergies. | | | | Often, IV fluids are given to treat dehydration. |
| Ménière disease (fluctuating pressure of inner | | | | If the child loses consciousness and doesn't come |
| ear fluid [endolymph]; results in severe vertigo, | | | | round within a couple of minutes, if their breathing |
| ringing in the ears [tinnitus], and progressive | | | | seems slow or irregular, or if dizziness leads to a |
| hearing loss) | | | | seizure (with twitching of the limbs or |
| Ototoxicity (i.e., ear poisoning) | | | | incontinence) get urgent medical help. |
| Dizziness Symptoms | | | | Do not get dehydrated, which can cause or |
| Nearly any symptom or group of symptoms may | | | | increase lightheadedness, when you have an illness |
| accompany dizziness. These depend on the | | | | that causes diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever. Drink |
| ultimate cause. | | | | more fluids, especially water. Other fluids are also |
| Faintness ("light-headedness") or actual fainting | | | | helpful, such as fruit juice mixed to half-strength |
| Diagnosis of Dizziness | | | | with water, rehydration drinks, weak tea with |
| Before dizziness can be treated, doctors must | | | | sugar, clear broth, and gelatin dessert. If you have |
| determine its nature and its cause. Doctors ask | | | | another medical condition, such as kidney disease |
| the person to describe in detail the sensations felt: | | | | or heart disease, that limits the amount of fluids |
| whether the feeling during the episode was | | | | you are allowed to have, do not drink more than |
| faintness, light-headedness, loss of balance, | | | | this amount without first talking to your doctor. |