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Dizziness in head symptoms. 7 Common Causes of Dizziness: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

What are the main causes of dizziness. How can you identify the underlying issue behind your dizzy spells. What treatment options are available for different types of dizziness. When should you seek immediate medical attention for dizziness.

Understanding Vertigo: The Spinning Sensation

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness characterized by the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning. This disorienting experience often worsens with head movement and can significantly impact daily activities. But what causes this peculiar sensation?

The most common form of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This condition occurs when tiny calcium particles in the inner ear become dislodged and move into areas where they don’t belong. As a result, the intricate balance system in your inner ear sends incorrect signals to your brain, leading to the spinning sensation.

BPPV typically manifests in brief episodes triggered by specific head positions or movements, such as:

  • Tilting your head
  • Turning your head quickly
  • Rolling over in bed
  • Sitting up from a lying position

While BPPV can be unsettling, it’s generally not serious and often resolves on its own. However, for those seeking quicker relief, treatment options are available. The Epley maneuver, a series of specific head movements, can help reposition the calcium particles and alleviate symptoms. Most individuals experience improvement after one to three treatments.

Other Causes of Vertigo

While BPPV is the most common cause, vertigo can also result from:

  • Meniere’s disease
  • Labyrinthitis
  • Vestibular neuritis
  • Acoustic neuroma (a type of tumor)
  • Side effects from certain antibiotics
  • Vestibular migraine
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Stroke affecting the cerebellum

Given the variety of potential causes, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

Ear Infections and Dizziness: The Inflammatory Connection

Inflammation of the nerves in your ears can lead to dizziness, specifically in conditions like vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis. But how do these conditions differ, and what causes them?

Vestibular neuritis involves inflammation of the vestibular nerve alone, while labyrinthitis affects both the vestibular and cochlear nerves. Both conditions are typically caused by infections, with viruses being the most common culprits. However, bacteria from middle ear infections or meningitis can also spread to the inner ear, causing these conditions.

Symptoms of vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis often include:

  • Sudden onset of dizziness
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Hearing difficulties
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Ear pain

These symptoms can persist for several weeks, significantly impacting daily life. If a virus is responsible, antibiotics won’t be effective. However, medications can help manage symptoms while the infection runs its course. In cases of bacterial infection, targeted antibiotic therapy may be necessary.

Meniere’s Disease: A Complex Cause of Dizziness

Meniere’s disease is a chronic inner ear disorder characterized by episodes of vertigo that can last for hours. But what sets this condition apart from other causes of dizziness?

Individuals with Meniere’s disease experience a cluster of symptoms, including:

  • Intense periods of vertigo
  • Feeling of fullness or pressure in one ear
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Fluctuating hearing loss
  • Nausea
  • Extreme fatigue following an attack

The exact cause of Meniere’s disease remains unknown, but it’s associated with an excess of fluid in the inner ear. While there’s no cure for this condition, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing attacks.

Treatment strategies for Meniere’s disease often include:

  1. Dietary modifications, particularly adopting a low-salt diet
  2. Medications to control dizziness and other symptoms
  3. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises
  4. In severe cases, surgical interventions may be considered

Circulation Issues: When Blood Flow Affects Balance

Dizziness can sometimes be a sign of underlying circulatory problems. Your brain requires a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood to function properly. When this supply is compromised, it can lead to lightheadedness and even fainting. But what conditions can cause these circulatory issues?

Several cardiovascular conditions can potentially lead to dizziness:

  • Blood clots
  • Atherosclerosis (clogged arteries)
  • Heart failure
  • Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
  • Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing)

Orthostatic hypotension is particularly common in older adults and can cause dizziness when changing positions quickly, such as standing up from a seated or lying position.

If you experience dizziness accompanied by fainting or loss of consciousness, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms could indicate a serious underlying condition requiring prompt treatment.

Medication-Induced Dizziness: A Common Side Effect

Many medications list dizziness as a potential side effect. Understanding which drugs might cause this symptom can help you and your healthcare provider manage your treatment more effectively. Which medications are most commonly associated with dizziness?

Several classes of drugs can potentially cause dizziness:

  • Antibiotics, particularly gentamicin and streptomycin
  • Antidepressants
  • Anti-seizure medications
  • Blood pressure medications
  • Sedatives

If you’re experiencing persistent dizziness and are taking any of these medications, it’s important to consult your doctor. They may adjust your dosage, switch you to an alternative medication, or provide strategies to manage this side effect.

Never stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting your healthcare provider, as this could lead to serious health complications.

Dehydration: A Simple Yet Overlooked Cause of Dizziness

Dehydration is a surprisingly common cause of dizziness, particularly among older adults and individuals with diabetes. But why does lack of fluids lead to this disorienting sensation?

When you’re severely dehydrated, your blood volume decreases, which can lead to a drop in blood pressure. This reduction in blood flow can mean your brain isn’t receiving enough oxygen, resulting in dizziness.

Many people don’t realize they’re not drinking enough fluids to replace what they lose through daily activities such as:

  • Sweating
  • Breathing
  • Urination

To prevent dehydration-induced dizziness:

  1. Drink water regularly throughout the day
  2. Increase fluid intake during hot weather or physical activity
  3. Monitor the color of your urine – pale yellow indicates good hydration
  4. Consider electrolyte-rich beverages if you’re sweating excessively

If you’re experiencing persistent dizziness along with other symptoms of severe dehydration such as extreme thirst, dark urine, or rapid heartbeat, seek medical attention promptly.

When Dizziness Signals a Medical Emergency

While many causes of dizziness are benign, certain symptoms accompanying dizziness warrant immediate medical attention. Recognizing these red flags can be crucial in identifying and treating potentially life-threatening conditions. When should you seek emergency care for dizziness?

Seek immediate medical attention if your dizziness is accompanied by any of the following:

  • Fainting or loss of consciousness
  • Chest pain
  • Severe or unusual headache
  • Head injury
  • High fever
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Seizures
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stiff neck
  • Sudden changes in speech, vision, or hearing
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Weakness or numbness in your face
  • Weakness in your leg or arm

These symptoms could indicate serious conditions such as stroke, heart attack, or severe infection. Prompt medical evaluation and treatment can significantly improve outcomes in these situations.

The Importance of a Comprehensive Medical Evaluation

Given the wide array of potential causes for dizziness, a thorough medical evaluation is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Your healthcare provider will consider various factors, including:

  1. Your complete medical history
  2. The specific characteristics of your dizziness
  3. Any accompanying symptoms
  4. Your current medications
  5. Results from physical examinations and diagnostic tests

This comprehensive approach allows for a tailored treatment plan that addresses the underlying cause of your dizziness, rather than just managing symptoms.

Lifestyle Modifications to Manage Dizziness

In addition to medical treatments, certain lifestyle changes can help manage and prevent episodes of dizziness:

  • Stay well-hydrated
  • Maintain a balanced diet
  • Get regular exercise to improve circulation
  • Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga
  • Ensure you’re getting adequate sleep
  • Avoid triggers if you’ve identified specific situations that provoke your dizziness

Remember, while these strategies can be helpful, they should complement, not replace, professional medical advice and treatment.

The Role of Vestibular Rehabilitation

For many types of chronic dizziness, vestibular rehabilitation therapy can be an effective treatment option. This specialized form of physical therapy aims to retrain your brain to process balance information more effectively.

Vestibular rehabilitation may involve:

  • Gaze stabilization exercises
  • Balance training
  • Habituation exercises to reduce dizziness triggered by specific movements
  • Canalith repositioning maneuvers for BPPV

A qualified vestibular therapist can develop a personalized program tailored to your specific needs and symptoms.

Coping Strategies for Living with Chronic Dizziness

For individuals dealing with chronic or recurrent dizziness, developing coping strategies can significantly improve quality of life. Some helpful approaches include:

  1. Educating friends and family about your condition
  2. Using assistive devices like a cane or walker when necessary
  3. Making home modifications to reduce fall risks
  4. Joining support groups to connect with others facing similar challenges
  5. Practicing relaxation techniques to manage anxiety related to dizziness

Remember, while chronic dizziness can be challenging, many people successfully manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives with the right combination of medical treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and coping strategies.

The Future of Dizziness Treatment

Research into the causes and treatments of dizziness is ongoing, with promising developments on the horizon. Some areas of current investigation include:

  • Advanced imaging techniques to better visualize the inner ear and brain
  • Gene therapies for inherited vestibular disorders
  • Novel drug treatments for specific types of dizziness
  • Improved vestibular implants for severe balance disorders

As our understanding of the complex systems governing balance continues to grow, we can expect more targeted and effective treatments for dizziness in the future.

Why Am I Dizzy? 7 Possible Causes of Dizziness and How To Treat It

Written by Stephanie Langmaid

  • Is It Vertigo?
  • Is It an Infection?
  • Is It Meniere’s Disease?
  • Is It Your Circulation?
  • Is It Your Medication?
  • Is It Dehydration?
  • Is It Low Blood Sugar?
  • Is It Something Else?
  • More

Many parts of your body — including your eyes, brain, inner ear, and nerves in your feet and spine — work together to keep you balanced. When a part of that system is off, you can feel dizzy. It can be a sign of something serious, and it can be dangerous if it makes you fall.

Your doctor will look at all your symptoms and overall health to figure out what’s going on and how to treat it.

Get medical attention immediately if you’re dizzy and you faint, fall, or can’t walk or have any of the following:

  • Chest pain
  • Different or really bad headache
  • Head injury
  • High fever
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Seizures
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stiff neck
  • Sudden change in speech, vision, or hearing
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness or numbness in your face
  • Weakness in your leg or arm

Does it feel like you’re spinning or the room is moving around you? That’s a classic sign of a particular type of dizziness called vertigo. It’s more than feeling off-kilter and usually gets worse when you move your head. This is a symptom that there is an issue in the inner ear or part of the brainstem governing balance. The most common kind is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV.

Your inner ear is a complicated system of canals filled with fluid. These let your brain know how your head is moving. With BPPV, tiny bits of calcium in part of your inner ear get loose and move to places they don’t belong. The system doesn’t work the way it should and sends your brain the wrong signals.

It’s often caused by the natural breakdown of cells that happens with age. A head injury can cause it, too.

You’ll feel it briefly when you tilt or turn your head, and especially when you roll over in bed or sit up. BPPV isn’t serious and usually goes away on its own. If not — or you’d like to help it along — it can be treated with special head exercises (“particle repositioning exercises”) called the Epley maneuver to get the pieces of calcium back in place. Most people feel better after one to three treatments.

There are other causes of vertigo both in and outside the brain. You can have Meniere disease (described below), labyrinthitis (described below), a tumor called an acoustic neuroma or side effects from some antibiotics. In the brain, it can be caused by a vestibular migraine, multiple sclerosis, malformations of brain structures or a stroke from lack of blood flow or bleed (hemorrhage) in the cerebellum.

Inflammation of the nerves in your ears also can cause vertigo. It can be either vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis. Vestibular neuritis refers to inflammation of your vestibular nerve only while labyrinthitis involved both your vestibular nerve and your cochlear nerve. Both conditions are caused by an infection. Usually, a virus is to blame. But bacteria from a middle ear infection or meningitis can make their way into your inner ear as well.

In this case, dizziness usually comes on suddenly. Your ears may ring, and it may be hard to hear. You also may be nauseated and have a fever and ear pain. Symptoms can last several weeks. 

If it’s caused by a virus and can’t be treated with antibiotics, medication can help make you feel better as the infection runs its course.

This condition brings on intense periods of vertigo that can last hours. You may feel fullness or pressure in one ear. Other symptoms include ringing in your ears, hearing loss, and nausea. You may feel exhausted after the attack passes.

People with Meniere’s disease have too much fluid in their inner ear. Doctors don’t know what causes it, and there’s no cure for it. It’s usually treated with diet changes (a low-salt diet) and medicine to control the dizziness.

Dizziness can be a sign of a problem with your blood flow. Your brain needs a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood. Otherwise, you can become lightheaded and even faint.

Some causes of low blood flow to the brain include blood clots, clogged arteries, heart failure, and an irregular heartbeat. For many older people, standing suddenly can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure.

It’s important to get medical help immediately if you’re dizzy and faint or lose consciousness.

Several drugs list dizziness as a possible side effect. Check with your doctor if you take:

  • Antibiotics, including gentamicin and streptomycin
  • Anti-depressants
  • Anti-seizure medications
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Sedatives

 

Many people don’t drink enough fluids to replace the liquid they lose every day when they sweat, breathe, and pee. It’s particularly a problem for older people and people with diabetes.

When you’re severely dehydrated, your blood pressure can drop, your brain may not get enough oxygen, and you’ll feel dizzy. Other symptoms of dehydration include thirstiness, tiredness, and dark urine.

To help with dehydration, drink plenty of water or diluted fruit juice, and limit coffee, tea, and soda.

People with diabetes need to check the amount of sugar (glucose) in their blood often. You can get dizzy if it drops too low. That also can cause hunger, shakiness, sweating, and confusion. Some people without diabetes also have trouble with low blood sugar, but that’s rare.

A quick fix is to eat or drink something with sugar, like juice or a hard candy.

Dizziness can be a sign of many other illnesses, including:

  • Migraines, even if you don’t feel pain
  • Stress or anxiety
  • Nervous-system problems like peripheral neuropathy and multiple sclerosis
  • Tumor in the brain or inner ear

You may have other symptoms besides dizziness with any of these conditions. If your dizziness won’t go away or impacts your ability to function, make sure to discuss it with your doctor to find out the cause and treat it.

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Why Am I Dizzy? 7 Possible Causes of Dizziness and How To Treat It

Written by Stephanie Langmaid

  • Is It Vertigo?
  • Is It an Infection?
  • Is It Meniere’s Disease?
  • Is It Your Circulation?
  • Is It Your Medication?
  • Is It Dehydration?
  • Is It Low Blood Sugar?
  • Is It Something Else?
  • More

Many parts of your body — including your eyes, brain, inner ear, and nerves in your feet and spine — work together to keep you balanced. When a part of that system is off, you can feel dizzy. It can be a sign of something serious, and it can be dangerous if it makes you fall.

Your doctor will look at all your symptoms and overall health to figure out what’s going on and how to treat it.

Get medical attention immediately if you’re dizzy and you faint, fall, or can’t walk or have any of the following:

  • Chest pain
  • Different or really bad headache
  • Head injury
  • High fever
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Seizures
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stiff neck
  • Sudden change in speech, vision, or hearing
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness or numbness in your face
  • Weakness in your leg or arm

Does it feel like you’re spinning or the room is moving around you? That’s a classic sign of a particular type of dizziness called vertigo. It’s more than feeling off-kilter and usually gets worse when you move your head. This is a symptom that there is an issue in the inner ear or part of the brainstem governing balance. The most common kind is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV.

Your inner ear is a complicated system of canals filled with fluid. These let your brain know how your head is moving. With BPPV, tiny bits of calcium in part of your inner ear get loose and move to places they don’t belong. The system doesn’t work the way it should and sends your brain the wrong signals.

It’s often caused by the natural breakdown of cells that happens with age. A head injury can cause it, too.

You’ll feel it briefly when you tilt or turn your head, and especially when you roll over in bed or sit up. BPPV isn’t serious and usually goes away on its own. If not — or you’d like to help it along — it can be treated with special head exercises (“particle repositioning exercises”) called the Epley maneuver to get the pieces of calcium back in place. Most people feel better after one to three treatments.

There are other causes of vertigo both in and outside the brain. You can have Meniere disease (described below), labyrinthitis (described below), a tumor called an acoustic neuroma or side effects from some antibiotics. In the brain, it can be caused by a vestibular migraine, multiple sclerosis, malformations of brain structures or a stroke from lack of blood flow or bleed (hemorrhage) in the cerebellum.

Inflammation of the nerves in your ears also can cause vertigo. It can be either vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis. Vestibular neuritis refers to inflammation of your vestibular nerve only while labyrinthitis involved both your vestibular nerve and your cochlear nerve. Both conditions are caused by an infection. Usually, a virus is to blame. But bacteria from a middle ear infection or meningitis can make their way into your inner ear as well.

In this case, dizziness usually comes on suddenly. Your ears may ring, and it may be hard to hear. You also may be nauseated and have a fever and ear pain. Symptoms can last several weeks. 

If it’s caused by a virus and can’t be treated with antibiotics, medication can help make you feel better as the infection runs its course.

This condition brings on intense periods of vertigo that can last hours. You may feel fullness or pressure in one ear. Other symptoms include ringing in your ears, hearing loss, and nausea. You may feel exhausted after the attack passes.

People with Meniere’s disease have too much fluid in their inner ear. Doctors don’t know what causes it, and there’s no cure for it. It’s usually treated with diet changes (a low-salt diet) and medicine to control the dizziness.

Dizziness can be a sign of a problem with your blood flow. Your brain needs a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood. Otherwise, you can become lightheaded and even faint.

Some causes of low blood flow to the brain include blood clots, clogged arteries, heart failure, and an irregular heartbeat. For many older people, standing suddenly can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure.

It’s important to get medical help immediately if you’re dizzy and faint or lose consciousness.

Several drugs list dizziness as a possible side effect. Check with your doctor if you take:

  • Antibiotics, including gentamicin and streptomycin
  • Anti-depressants
  • Anti-seizure medications
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Sedatives

 

Many people don’t drink enough fluids to replace the liquid they lose every day when they sweat, breathe, and pee. It’s particularly a problem for older people and people with diabetes.

When you’re severely dehydrated, your blood pressure can drop, your brain may not get enough oxygen, and you’ll feel dizzy. Other symptoms of dehydration include thirstiness, tiredness, and dark urine.

To help with dehydration, drink plenty of water or diluted fruit juice, and limit coffee, tea, and soda.

People with diabetes need to check the amount of sugar (glucose) in their blood often. You can get dizzy if it drops too low. That also can cause hunger, shakiness, sweating, and confusion. Some people without diabetes also have trouble with low blood sugar, but that’s rare.

A quick fix is to eat or drink something with sugar, like juice or a hard candy.

Dizziness can be a sign of many other illnesses, including:

  • Migraines, even if you don’t feel pain
  • Stress or anxiety
  • Nervous-system problems like peripheral neuropathy and multiple sclerosis
  • Tumor in the brain or inner ear

You may have other symptoms besides dizziness with any of these conditions. If your dizziness won’t go away or impacts your ability to function, make sure to discuss it with your doctor to find out the cause and treat it.

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Frequent dizziness | ECHR Handbook

Everyone knows the feeling of being slightly dizzy during joyful and happy situations in life or after a few turns in a dance. Such dizziness poses no danger to us, except that we stop noticing others and run the risk of stumbling. However, sometimes dizziness is not associated with high spirits and dance movements, and can be a symptom of more than eighty diseases.

Types of vertigo

There are two classifications of vertigo: frequency and type of occurrence.

The type of vertigo can be characterized as follows:

Vestibular (or central) vertigo

Occurs due to damage to the parts of the inner ear. A person creates a feeling of rotation of both his own body and the movement of objects, or both at the same time. This type of vertigo is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, impaired balance and hearing, and sweating. When the position of the head changes, all symptoms are aggravated. Unlike non-systemic dizziness, attacks last a long time and recovery occurs over a long period of time: from several days to several weeks. The uncontrolled eye movement that occurs during an attack does not go away as the patient tries to focus on a fixed point and may persist for 25 to 28 days.

Peripheral vertigo

The most common type of vertigo. As a rule, with peripheral dizziness, the patient feels an increased heartbeat and sharp fluctuations in blood pressure, the day before there is congestion and noise in one ear. During and after an attack, uncontrolled eye movement may persist, which disappears when the patient tries to focus on a fixed point. Attacks are longer: the condition may not change for 3 hours. Peripheral dizziness is characterized by suddenness: the state of health deteriorates sharply, but the recovery occurs quite quickly.

Causes of occurrence

Causes of dizziness are conditionally divided into two categories:

Physiological causes of dizziness (or normal) :

  • Stress. For example, when frightened, a large amount of stress hormones (adrenaline, cortisol) is released, which can lead to a decrease in the functions of certain parts of the brain, up to loss of consciousness.

  • Women may experience short-term dizziness during critical days and during pregnancy.

  • Hyperventilation of the lungs (oversaturation of oxygen – for example, as a result of scuba diving)

  • Dizziness may be due to a sharp drop in blood sugar levels. As a result, pressure decreases, to which the body reacts by inhibiting the work of the central nervous system, which a person feels as a loss of orientation and space.

  • Reduced iron levels lead to a lack of blood and tissues, including the brain.

Pathological vertigo occurs with (occurring in certain diseases):

  • Tumors of the brain

  • Strokes

  • Diseases of the inner ear

  • Thrombosis

  • Cervical osteochondrosis

  • Climacteric syndrome

  • Ischemias

  • Migraines

  • Panic attacks

Which doctor treats?

If you often experience dizziness, you should see a neurologist as soon as possible to find out the causes of the attacks. Neurologists practice at the Kuntsevsky Medical and Rehabilitation Center, whose work experience is estimated at tens of years. Their task is to find out the causes of dizziness and draw up a treatment regimen.

Methods of treatment

If you experience frequent dizziness, remember that dizziness is not a disease that needs to be treated. This is just a symptom that indicates that failures occur in the body. Therefore, dizziness can be treated only after a qualified specialist has established the cause and prescribed treatment for the underlying disease.

treatments for vertigo include medication, diet, daily routine and sufficient physical activity.

Rehabilitation and restoration of lifestyle

After the course of treatment, in order to consolidate the result, it is necessary to maintain the body in good shape. For this, complexes of respiratory and vestibular exercises, exercise therapy complexes have been created. For each patient, the specialists of the Kuntsevo Treatment and Rehabilitation Center will develop an individual set of exercises that takes into account the characteristics and limitations of the patient. Swimming, eye gymnastics and balance exercises are recommended for better recovery. To prevent repeated attacks, you can use swinging on a swing with a gradual increase in amplitude.

References:

  1. Abdulina, O.V., Parfenov, V.A. Vestibular vertigo in emergency neurology // Clinical gerontology. – 2005
  2. Aptikeyeva, N.V., Dolgov, A.M. Vestibular vertigo and ataxia in emergency neurology // Journal of Neurology, Neuropsychiatry, Psychosomatics. – 2013
  3. Bronstein, A. Dizziness: a practical approach to diagnosis and treatment / A. Bronstein, T. Lempert – M.: GEOTAR, 2010
  4. Veselago, O.V. Algorithms for the diagnosis and treatment of dizziness // Russian Medical Journal. – 2012. – T. 20. – No. 10

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Neurology

Vertigo during menopause. Treatment for dizziness

Female sex hormones play a much larger role in the body than is commonly believed. In addition to its main purpose – to help in the conception and bearing of a child, estrogens also affect most systems, including the central and peripheral nervous, cardiovascular systems. That is why, with estrogen deficiency, unpleasant symptoms can develop: hot flashes, a feeling of heat, malaise, headache, dizziness with menopause and cerebrovascular accident.

Causes of headaches and dizziness in menopause

Against the background of a decrease in estrogen levels, vascular tone is disturbed, pressure fluctuates and a uniform constant blood flow to the brain is disturbed. Deficiency of blood, formed during active brain activity, can lead to hypoxia (lack of oxygen), which forms attacks headaches and dizziness , manifested in the form of seizures. Episodes are possible when objects and people are circling around the body against the background of the appearance of dark spots and flashes of light, changes in the pictures of the surrounding world.

Against the background of such attacks, the following can form:

  • incoordination,
  • movement disorders,
  • problems with movement in space due to “floating” objects or the ground under their feet.

With such attacks of dizziness, with menopause , stops are required to wait out the attack. There may be pre-syncope against the background of a sensation of rotation of objects, malaise, heart rhythm disturbances and nausea. Changes in position can increase the malaise, up to fainting.

Examination by a neurologist

In addition to dizziness, you may experience:

  • headache and nausea,
  • jumps in pressure and pulse,
  • feelings of nausea,
  • hot flashes,
  • redness of the face and neck.

Similar symptoms and any other ailments that occur during menopause become a reason to see a doctor.

To identify the causes of dizziness and eliminate them, it is necessary examination by a neurologist to exclude all possible causes of neurological disorders. All this is due to the fact that menopause can lead to an exacerbation of some pathologies that were previously present, but proceeded unnoticed. These can be neuritis of the cranial nerves, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, Meniere’s disease or hypertension, endocrine disorders, neoplasms (tumors).

Often, attacks of headaches and dizziness are exacerbated by constant stress, overexertion and bad habits, poor nutrition.

A complete examination by a neurologist allows you to identify all the factors and determine exactly why the head is spinning. The specialist may prescribe some studies and instrumental diagnostics, as well as recommend a consultation with an ENT doctor, ophthalmologist or cardiologist in order to exclude comorbidities.

Based on all the results obtained, the data of the hormonal study and the patient’s complaints, during an examination by a neurologist , a diagnosis is made, treatment tactics and methods for preventing dizziness are determined.

Treatment of headache and dizziness in menopause

With the exclusion of all other causes and the certainty that attacks of dizziness are associated precisely with menopausal changes, then the approach to the treatment of headache and dizziness in menopause must be complex. All drugs and non-drug methods of treatment must be selected individually with a doctor, depending on the additional manifestations and the degree of violation of the general condition. So, if the symptoms are pronounced, and depend on a sharp deficiency of sex hormones, replacement therapy with estrogen preparations in strictly selected dosages and under the control of tolerance may be indicated. In the treatment, non-hormonal drugs that improve the general condition, drugs with a sedative, sedative effect and anti-stress protection can also be used. A course of multivitamins with minerals is shown to replenish the body’s reserves, to prevent anemia and osteoporosis

Additionally treatment of headache and dizziness in menopause involves the use of phytotherapy – soothing, restorative herbal teas (with mint, valerian, fennel or sage), as well as non-drug measures that increase the overall tone of the body and normalize blood circulation, including in the head area brain.

Patients do not always understand that all these unpleasant phenomena are temporary and do not indicate severe pathologies, but are associated with hormonal fluctuations, and will gradually disappear as hormone levels stabilize at a new base level .

How to help with headaches, dizziness in menopause

In addition to all the drugs that will be prescribed by the doctor, it is also important to reconsider your attitude to everyday life, abandoning bad habits, the effects of stress and physical overwork.

Non-drug measures, if performed in combination, significantly help relieve headaches and dizziness, menopause can be more comfortable.

To keep blood vessels in good shape, to be more cheerful and active, to keep pressure under control help: contrast water procedures, dosed physical activity and revision of nutrition . It is important to control weight and salt intake in order to avoid unnecessary strain on blood vessels and pressure build-up leading to high blood pressure, menopausal headaches and dizziness .

Physiotherapy can be shown to normalize the tone of the autonomic nervous system and relieve unpleasant manifestations. Physical therapy, a set of exercises for weight correction and maintaining muscle tone are also shown. It is important to monitor the daily routine – constant lack of sleep, chronic fatigue lead to increased headaches and dizziness symptoms of menopause . It is necessary to stay more and more often in the fresh air, to lead an active lifestyle.

Doctors of the TN-Clinic are the authors of numerous scientific papers and articles on menopause. During their many years of practice, they have helped thousands of women remove unpleasant manifestations. In the treatment, they successfully use both traditional therapeutic methods – hormone therapy, vitamin therapy, homeopathy, dietology, etc., as well as their own author’s methods.

For more than 25 years of work, the doctors of the TN-Clinic have helped tens of thousands of women return to normal life. They will develop an individual treatment program for you, select alternative methods of therapy, if for some reason traditional methods do not help.

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Tkachenko Svetlana Grigorievna

Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic pain syndromes

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