Giddiness vs Dizziness: Understanding the Key Differences and Causes
What are the main differences between giddiness and dizziness. How can you distinguish between these sensations. What are the common causes and symptoms of giddiness and dizziness. When should you seek medical attention for these symptoms.
Defining Giddiness and Dizziness: Unraveling the Confusion
Giddiness and dizziness are often used interchangeably, but they represent distinct sensations with important differences. Understanding these nuances is crucial for accurate communication with healthcare providers and proper diagnosis.
Dizziness is a broader term that encompasses various sensations of feeling off-balance or unsteady. It can manifest as lightheadedness, a feeling of faintness, or a general sense of disorientation. On the other hand, giddiness, often associated with vertigo, specifically refers to a spinning or whirling sensation, where either you or your surroundings seem to be in motion.
Key Distinctions:
- Dizziness: A general feeling of being off-balance or unsteady
- Giddiness (Vertigo): A specific sensation of spinning or whirling
While both conditions can affect balance and movement, their underlying causes and treatment approaches may differ significantly.
Common Causes of Dizziness: From Everyday Issues to Medical Concerns
Dizziness can stem from various factors, ranging from minor, temporary issues to more serious medical conditions. Identifying the root cause is essential for proper treatment and management.
Common Causes of Dizziness Include:
- Dehydration
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Motion sickness
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Alcohol consumption
- Side effects of certain medications
- Head injuries
- Inner ear problems
Is dehydration a common cause of dizziness? Yes, dehydration is a frequent cause of dizziness, especially in hot weather or after intense physical activity. When the body lacks sufficient fluids, blood volume decreases, potentially leading to reduced blood flow to the brain and resulting in lightheadedness or dizziness.
Unraveling the Causes of Giddiness and Vertigo
Giddiness, often associated with vertigo, typically results from issues affecting the vestibular system, which is responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation. While some causes overlap with those of dizziness, vertigo often has more specific underlying conditions.
Common Causes of Giddiness (Vertigo) Include:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Meniere’s disease
- Vestibular neuritis
- Labyrinthitis
- Vestibular migraine
- Cerebellar stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
- Acoustic neuroma
Can head injuries cause both dizziness and giddiness? Indeed, head injuries can lead to both dizziness and giddiness. Trauma to the head may affect the inner ear structures or the brain regions responsible for balance and spatial orientation, resulting in various symptoms ranging from general unsteadiness to severe vertigo.
Recognizing the Symptoms: When Dizziness or Giddiness Strikes
While dizziness and giddiness share some common symptoms, there are distinct characteristics that can help differentiate between the two conditions. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Symptoms of Dizziness:
- Feeling lightheaded or faint
- Unsteadiness or loss of balance
- Sensation of floating or weightlessness
- Blurred vision
- Confusion or disorientation
Symptoms of Giddiness (Vertigo):
- Sensation of spinning or whirling (either self or surroundings)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Nystagmus (involuntary eye movements)
- Sweating
- Headache
Do nausea and vomiting always accompany vertigo? While nausea and vomiting are common symptoms associated with vertigo, they are not always present. The severity of these symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause and individual factors. Some people may experience mild nausea, while others may have severe vomiting episodes during vertigo attacks.
Diagnosing Dizziness and Giddiness: Medical Approaches and Tests
Accurate diagnosis of dizziness and giddiness is essential for effective treatment. Healthcare providers employ various methods and tests to determine the underlying causes of these symptoms.
Diagnostic Approaches May Include:
- Detailed medical history and symptom description
- Physical examination, including balance and coordination tests
- Neurological examination
- Dix-Hallpike maneuver (for BPPV diagnosis)
- Electronystagmography (ENG) or videonystagmography (VNG)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) scans
- Blood tests to check for underlying conditions
- Audiometry (hearing tests)
Are brain scans always necessary for diagnosing dizziness or giddiness? Brain scans such as MRI or CT are not always required for diagnosing dizziness or giddiness. They are typically ordered when there is suspicion of a central nervous system issue, such as a stroke or tumor, or when symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by other neurological signs. In many cases, a thorough clinical examination and targeted tests can provide sufficient information for diagnosis.
Treatment Options: Addressing Dizziness and Giddiness Effectively
Treatment for dizziness and giddiness depends on the underlying cause. A tailored approach is essential for managing symptoms and addressing the root issue effectively.
Common Treatment Approaches Include:
- Vestibular rehabilitation exercises
- Canalith repositioning procedures (for BPPV)
- Medications (e.g., antihistamines, anti-nausea drugs, diuretics)
- Lifestyle modifications (e.g., dietary changes, stress reduction)
- Treatment of underlying conditions (e.g., migraines, ear infections)
- Balance training and fall prevention techniques
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (for anxiety-related dizziness)
Can vestibular rehabilitation exercises help with both dizziness and vertigo? Yes, vestibular rehabilitation exercises can be beneficial for both dizziness and vertigo. These specialized exercises are designed to retrain the brain to process balance information more effectively, reducing symptoms and improving overall function. They are particularly useful for conditions like BPPV, vestibular neuritis, and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD).
When to Seek Medical Attention: Recognizing Red Flags
While occasional, mild dizziness or giddiness may not be cause for immediate concern, certain symptoms and situations warrant prompt medical attention.
Seek Medical Care If:
- Symptoms are severe, persistent, or recurring
- Dizziness or vertigo is accompanied by severe headache, vision changes, or difficulty speaking
- You experience sudden, severe vertigo with no apparent cause
- Symptoms occur after a head injury
- You lose consciousness or experience fainting spells
- Dizziness or giddiness significantly impacts your daily activities
- You have a history of stroke, heart disease, or other serious medical conditions
Should you go to the emergency room for sudden, severe vertigo? If you experience sudden, severe vertigo, especially if it’s accompanied by other neurological symptoms like difficulty speaking, vision changes, or weakness on one side of the body, it’s advisable to seek emergency medical care. These symptoms could indicate a serious condition such as a stroke, which requires immediate evaluation and treatment.
Prevention Strategies: Minimizing the Risk of Dizziness and Giddiness
While not all cases of dizziness and giddiness can be prevented, certain lifestyle changes and precautions can help reduce the risk and frequency of these symptoms.
Prevention Tips Include:
- Stay hydrated, especially in hot weather or during physical activity
- Maintain a balanced diet and stable blood sugar levels
- Practice good sleep hygiene and get adequate rest
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques or meditation
- Avoid sudden movements or changes in position, especially if prone to vertigo
- Exercise regularly to improve balance and overall health
- Limit alcohol consumption and avoid smoking
- Be cautious with medications known to cause dizziness as a side effect
Can regular exercise help prevent dizziness and giddiness? Regular exercise can indeed help prevent and manage dizziness and giddiness. Physical activity improves overall cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles involved in balance, and enhances the body’s ability to adapt to positional changes. Additionally, exercises that focus on balance and coordination, such as tai chi or yoga, can be particularly beneficial in reducing the risk of dizziness and falls.
Understanding the differences between dizziness and giddiness is crucial for effective communication with healthcare providers and proper management of symptoms. By recognizing the distinct characteristics, potential causes, and appropriate treatment approaches for each condition, individuals can take proactive steps towards maintaining their balance and overall well-being. Remember, persistent or severe symptoms should always be evaluated by a medical professional to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
Dizziness & Giddiness – Know the Difference
Giddiness and dizziness describe feeling imbalanced, lightheaded, unsteady, as if you are about to faint. But being specific it is important to distinguish between feeling dizzy from experiencing vertigo (or giddiness).
In this article, we’ll explain how to distinguish between dizziness and vertigo.
What’s the key difference between dizziness and giddiness?
Dizziness generally describes a feeling of being off-balance. When you’re dizzy, moving can be difficult. You may stagger while you’re walking or feel like you’re going to fall. Many people with vertigo will report dizziness as a symptom.
While giddiness (a sensation of whirling/spinning) can affect a person severely, it is not an independent medical condition but often a symptom of some other underlying condition. This underlying condition could be something as simple as overexertion or as serious as a stroke.
Most often it is caused by neurological or inner ear issues.
What causes dizziness & giddiness?
Dizziness and giddiness can also have different causes. Let’s break them down below.
Dizziness
- head injuries
- dehydration
- low blood sugar
- low blood pressure
- motion sickness
- anxiety
- alcohol consumption
- certain medications
Giddiness (or vertigo)
Vertigo may also be caused by conditions that impact your central nervous system. Potential causes include:
- head injuries
- benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
- Meniere’s disease
- vestibular neuritis
- labyrinthitis
- vestibular migraine
- cerebellar stroke
- multiple sclerosis
When to seek medical attention?
It’s usually a good idea to see a doctor for feelings of dizziness, vertigo, or lightheadedness that:
- keeps returning
- affects your daily life
- comes with other symptoms like:
- ringing of years (tinnitus)
- headache
- weakness or numbness
- blurry vision
- fainting
Your treatment plan depends on addressing the underlying cause of your symptoms.
In many cases, treating the cause of dizziness, vertigo, or lightheadedness can help clear up these symptoms.
Wrapping up…!
Dizziness and giddiness are two similar feeling with an important difference. So, it is important to avoid using them interchangeably.
Dizziness is a general feeling of being off-balance. Giddiness is the feeling that you or your surroundings are moving or spinning. But both can affect your balance and movement. Hence it is important to seek immediate medical attention from your neurologist.
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The Difference between Giddiness and Vertigo: NY Neurology Associates: Neurologists
Giddiness and dizziness describe feeling imbalanced, lightheaded, unsteady, as if you are about to faint. It is important to distinguish between feeling dizzy from experiencing vertigo. There are different causes for these types of sensations.
Dizziness can be a symptom of vertigo. Vertigo is the sensation of your surrounding spinning. Both giddiness and vertigo are often accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
While giddiness can have a severe impact on the persons well-being and ability to go on about their daily lives, it is not a diagnosis, but a symptom of some other underlying condition.
The underlying condition could be just an overexertion or something serious such as stroke. Most often giddiness is caused by either neurological or innerear issues.
Symptoms
Some symptoms of giddiness may include:
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
- Feeling unsteady and imbalanced
- Feeling like the surrounding is moving or spinning
- Feeling woozy or heavy-headed
In addition to balance issues, some symptoms of vertigo may include :
- Motion sickness
- Tinnitus, or ringing in the ear
- Headaches
- Nystagmus, or an uncontrollable eye movement
It is important to note that there are two types of vertigo that can occur : peripheral and central vertigo.
Peripheral vertigo is caused by an issue in the inner ear, while central vertigo is caused by a brain damage, including brain injury, stroke, tumors, or infection.
What are the causes ?
Some of the major causes of vertigo include :
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo – one of the most frequent condition seen causes for the feeling of giddiness. The patient experiences a spinning sensation with mild to severe giddiness, It is caused by problems with the inner ear.
- Hypotension – or a low blood pressure (lower than 90 mmHg/ 60mmHg).
- Hypoglycemia – or low blood sugar (less than 70 mg/dL).
- Inner ear problems due to irritation or inflammation of the inner ear can cause balance problems and giddiness.
- Circulatory problems leading to a reduction in blood supply and, therefore, oxygen supply to all parts of the body.
- Motion sickness
- Dehydration .
- Overexertion or excessive exercise
- Migraines
- Head Injury – can be very serious, if the person is experiencing dizziness after a head injury they should go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
- Stroke is caused when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted.
- Neurological Problems, such as Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s can manifest as giddiness
- Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis are the conditions of inflammation of nerves. Vestibular neuritis involves the vestibular nerve, while labyrinthitisis involves the inflammation of both the vestibular nerve and the cochlear nerve.
- Anxiety Disorders can elevate stress hormone called cortisol, and can impact the vestibular system function that controls imbalance
- Heatstroke
- Side Effect of Certain Medications a lot of allergy and pain medications can cause dizziness
When you should consult a doctor ?
Dizziness is not a problem in itself, but can be a symptom of an underlying health problem. When it occurs frequently or for prolonged periods of time, it is important to consult a neurologist.
Vertigo accompanied by the following symptoms prompts an appointment with a medical professional
- ChestPain
- Drooping of the Eyes or a Mouth
- Headache
- Head Injury
- Hearing Loss
- Blurred Vision
- High Fever
- Loss of Consciousness
- Numbness or Tingling
- Ongoing Vomiting
- Speech Difficulties
Treatment Options
Usually a physical exam is first performed to determine the cause of the giddiness or dizziness.
Dizziness can often resolve on its own within a couple weeks, however, if it does not our neurologists can help find the root cause and develop a custom treatment plan that would address the symptoms as well as the underlying issue. Treatment can include medication or medical techniques.
Epley maneuver can be used for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). As BPPV is caused by the inner ear issue, this technique involves canaliths repositioning. Canaliths are calcium crystals that help detect motion, when the crystals detach in the semicircular canals, they may send incorrect signals to the brain causing vertigo. This technique is a series of movements that cause the crystals in the ear to be dislodged from the ear canals thus resolving vertigo. It can be done by a neurologist, an audiologist or a physical therapist.
Sometimes BPPV requires medication to be resolved. This would include anticholinergics, antihistamines or sleep aids.
Balance therapy. You may learn specific exercises to help make your balance system less sensitive to motion.
This physical therapy technique called vestibular rehabilitation. It is used for people with dizziness from inner ear conditions such as vestibularneuritis.
When dizziness is caused by circulatory issues, the treatment can involve medications or procedures that help regulate heart rate. In case of tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome, when the heart rate vacillates between beating too quickly or too slowly, ablation or pacemaker implantation can resolve the giddiness.
Dizziness caused by medication requires an adjustment in the dosage or in severe cases, a change of medication altogether. This would have to be done in consultation with the treating doctor.
Simple measures such as healthyt diet and hydration are a good start for addressing giddiness.
Psychiatric and neurological conditions, such as anxiety or migraines can be addressed with medication and lifestyle changes. Stress relief and balance improvement practices such as yoga and meditation, as well as Tai Chi can also help.
It is advised to avoid salt, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol as these may exacerbate dizziness symptoms.
Michael Gudleski,PA was interviewed for this article.
More posts on this and other related topics can be found below :
- Dizziness
- Causes Of Fainting
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Causes, symptoms and treatment of vertigo
Vertigo is a misperception of one’s body in space. This is a fairly common symptom of both neurological and mental, somatic diseases. An average of 15-35% of the population experiences dizziness in their lifetime. Most often these are people after 60 years – 20%, after 70 – 30% and after 80 – 50%.
Regular bouts of dizziness when standing up markedly impair quality of life and can lead to injury due to falling. This is especially dangerous for the elderly. For people of working age, such manifestations in the body often cause a temporary loss of the opportunity to work fully.
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Conventionally, there are 5 main types of dizziness:
- vestibular;
- lipothymic;
- postural;
- cervicogenic;
- psychogenic.
Vestibular vertigo develops due to damage or physiological stimulation of the peripheral vestibular apparatus and central autonomic structures.
As a rule, difficulties with orientation in space arise when the head is rotated. All this passes with loss of balance, periodic falls, nausea and other unpleasant manifestations.
Lipothymic vertigo occurs in pre-syncope after excessive use of insulin or insulinoma. A characteristic symptom is “fog” in the head. A similar condition can occur after taking drugs that depress the central nervous system. For example, tranquilizers.
Postural vertigo is due to various walking disorders.
Cervicogenic dizziness is provoked by diseases of the cervical spine. Dizziness in this pathology is the result of pain and limited mobility of the neck.
Psychogenic dizziness is characteristic of people with neuroses and personality disorders. Such attacks are manifested due to feelings of anxiety, panic attacks in various situations. This type is usually described as a feeling of unsteadiness, the presence of heaviness in the head, a feeling of intoxication. Oscillatory eye movements in this case are absent, but, unlike other varieties, depression may occur afterwards.
Treatment of vertigo in women and men includes psychotherapy, vestibular exercises, and antidepressants.
SYMPTOMS OF VERTIGO AND BALANCE
People who experience dizziness more often describe their condition as follows:
- sensation of body movement;
- loss of balance and body tilt to one side;
- feeling of tension, constriction in the head;
- fall for no reason;
- unsteady gait or loss of her confidence.
Symptoms may only get worse with changes in body position or head rotation. Dizziness can come on suddenly and be so severe that you have to sit up or lie down abruptly. It can last a day or even several, although it is often limited to a few minutes.
CAUSES OF Dizziness
There are many causes of dizziness, from diseases of the inner ear to taking certain medications. The most serious are determined by pathologies of blood circulation in the brain, as well as tumors or brain damage after falls or strong blows.
In many situations, acute vertigo is caused by diseases of the inner ear, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Meniere’s disease. Also often the basis is infectious diseases of the ear.
Less common causes are vertebrobasilar insufficiency, stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage, multiple sclerosis, vestibular migraine, acoustic neuroma, orthostatic hypotension, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), anemia (low iron), medication.
Inner ear infections
Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis are disorders that result from infections. They cause inflammation of the inner ear, or the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. After that, the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain is disrupted. The result is hearing loss and balance problems.
Inner ear infections are caused by viruses or bacteria. You can find out about the presence of viruses in the body by the symptoms of an infection of the internal respiratory tract.
Its manifestations are noted a few weeks before the onset of dizziness. You can get an infection at any age.
Anatomy of the ear
The inner ear includes a system of tubes and sacs that are filled with fluid. All this is called a labyrinth, the functions of which are hearing and balance. Sound signals from the labyrinth are transmitted to the brain via the vestibulo-cochlear nerve with two branches. One transmits messages from the organ of hearing, and the other from the organs of balance.
The brain processes balance signals sent through the vestibular nerve from the right and left ear. When one party is infected, it sends false signals. This is how information is presented that does not correspond to reality, which leads to dizziness.
Vestibular neuritis (inflammation of the nerve) affects the balance branch. This leads to dizziness, a disturbed sense of oneself in space, a sharp movement of the eyeballs with a fast phase, but there is no transformation with hearing.
It may seem to a person that objects are moving around, and when performing coordination exercises, he will usually be mistaken.
Experts also use the term “vestibular neuronitis” (damage to the sensory neurons of the vestibular ganglion). Its symptom is severe, rapidly developing, paroxysmal dizziness. It is often characterized by vomiting, imbalance. Often, the development of symptoms of dizziness is preceded by SARS. Sometimes, a few weeks before the developed clinical picture, patients may notice short bouts of loss of balance.
Labyrinthitis (inflammation of the labyrinth) occurs when an infection affects both branches of the cochleo-vestibular nerve. Then the hearing changes, attacks of dizziness occur. Even with small turns of the head, the symptoms become more pronounced. Therefore, some people are forced to support their heads with their hands.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo, manifested by sudden movements and head waving.
The duration of the state is limited to a few seconds or minutes. It occurs when calcium crystals (otoliths) in the inner ear begin to move. Because of this, there is a sensation of rotation of the body.
The causes of BPPV are a history of traumatic brain injury, as well as otitis media. Often, the cause of the disease cannot be identified. Then the diagnosis is confirmed by taking a Dix-Hallpike sample. To do this, the patient quickly lies down from a sitting position and slightly lowers his head, turned 45 degrees. The test is positive if, a couple of seconds later, an attack of dizziness and nystagmus occurs.
Between 20% and 28% of patients with BPPV report symptomatic relief on their own up to a month after the onset of vertigo. The disease is benign and recurs within the first 12 months in only 15% of cases.
Treatment of BPPV
Treatment includes the Epley maneuver. It allows, with the help of head manipulations, to shift the otolith (crystal) into an insensitive zone – the vestibule of the inner ear.
If the effectiveness of such treatment is low, the patient is additionally prescribed a set of exercises to perform at home. This is Brandt-Deroff gymnastics, according to the method of which you need to practice 2-3 times a day from 1 to 3 weeks. Taking medication in this case usually does not give positive dynamics.
Operations are performed when repositioning techniques fail. Surgical interventions carry the risk of complications in the form of injuries of the facial nerve and hearing loss.
Among the possible operations:
- obstruction of the posterior semicircular canal;
- removal of the vestibular nerve;
- labyrinthectomy;
- selective neurectomy.
Meniere’s disease
A disease characterized by repeated attacks of rotational vertigo. They last several hours and are not without noise in the ears, their congestion or bursting, as well as hearing impairment.
It occurs in about 0.2% of the population, usually in people from 40 to 60 years old. The disease is based on the expansion of the endolymphatic system in the inner ear, which leads to the degeneration of the labyrinth receptors.
The disease has the following manifestations:
- dizziness;
- unsteady gait;
- hearing impairment;
- problems with perception of sounds;
- nausea and vomiting;
- ringing in the ears.
Treatment of Meniere’s disease
The treatment of an attack is by taking vestibulosuppressive agents. Prevention of the disease necessarily includes a low-salt diet, avoidance of alcohol and caffeine, the use of betahistine and diuretics.
If the chosen therapy does not lead to positive dynamics, more serious treatment is required. These can be injections of drugs directly into the ear or surgery.
Diagnosis of dizziness
Patients with dizziness undergo Halmagi tests to determine the level of the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Its violation speaks of central and peripheral lesions.
The Halmagi test does not require the use of additional equipment and lengthy preparation. The patient needs to stop looking at the bridge of the nose of a specialist who sits opposite. At the same time, the doctor holds the patient’s head with both hands and turns it from side to side by 15 degrees. With a normal vestibulo-ocular reflex, the eyes remain looking at a given point. If there is a violation, then the gaze turns along with the turn of the head.
Severe dizziness with repeated bouts of vomiting lasts up to 3-4 days, after which the patient improves. Recovery can take up to several months. In older people, it is usually delayed and often incomplete. If positive dynamics is not observed within a month, then an MRI of the brain and audiometry should be performed to rule out Meniere’s disease.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
The alarm should be sounded if dizziness becomes regular or prolonged. Immediate help is needed if you experience severe dizziness and unsteadiness in combination with the following symptoms:
- sudden headache;
- pain in the retrosternal region;
- labored breathing;
- numbness or weakness of limbs;
- fainting;
- rapid or intermittent heartbeat;
- slow or slurred speech;
- problems with coordination;
- ongoing vomiting;
- convulsions;
- sudden hearing loss;
- numbness or asymmetry of the face.
TREATMENT OF VERTIGO
- Treatment of vestibular neuronitis When diagnosed, the patient is hospitalized, but sometimes outpatient treatment is acceptable. In either case, treatment should be aimed at reducing the degree of dizziness, stopping vomiting, and accelerating vestibular compensation. Symptomatic therapy includes the use of vestibular suppressants. When vomiting, injectable forms of drugs are used. The duration of treatment is determined by the complexity of the manifestations of dizziness. However, in most cases they are taken no longer than 3 days. An additional effect is given by a course of corticosteroids and antiviral drugs for middle ear infections. The vestibular apparatus is best stabilized through special gymnastics. At first, it can negatively affect the well-being, but after 2-3 days, therapy should stabilize the condition. You need to repeat gymnastics at least twice a day.
- Tumors of the cerebellopontine angle (acoustic neuroma) Quite a rare cause of vertigo. It manifests itself as a slowly progressive hearing loss and tinnitus. Rotational vertigo is rare, but unsteadiness is often noted. For some time, vestibular disorders may be the only symptom of the disease. After that, hearing disorders begin to be observed. People with a similar problem should have an MRI of the brain with IV contrast. This will help check the patient for the presence of a tumor in the posterior cranial fossa. When a tumor is found, patients need to consult a neurosurgeon for referral for surgery.
- Vertebrobasilar insufficiency and cerebrovascular diseases It is distinguished by the development of a reversible dysfunction of the brain stem, cerebellum and other structures that receive blood through the main and vertebral arteries. Ischemic attacks may occur due to violations of their patency. The reason is atherosclerotic changes, vascular hypoplasia. A little less often, inflammation, extravasal compression of the vertebral artery (with a neck injury) or dissection of the artery become a prerequisite. A key cause of loss of coordination during dizziness is a malfunction in the work of small arteries with high blood pressure, diabetes, or two diseases together. According to statistics, cerebrovascular accidents account for about 6%. The cause of dizziness at normal pressure can be a malfunction in the functioning of both the labyrinth itself due to problems with blood circulation, and a violation in the area of various brain systems. Most patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency are diagnosed with other neurological symptoms. Separately, dizziness with problems with blood vessels is very rare. In such situations, further diagnosis is required to remove other concomitant factors. You should not associate bouts of dizziness when changing the position of the head with compression of the vertebral arteries. Often, the rapid development of severe dizziness, along with nausea, vomiting and increased pressure, can be perceived as a signal of the development of a cerebrovascular disease. But usually it rises due to severe dizziness and stress. If a stroke is suspected, a person must be urgently hospitalized for examination and immediate treatment. The hospital performs an MRI of the brain, which in a stroke will show a focal lesion of the cerebellum or brain stem.
- Vestibular migraine Vestibular migraine is rarely diagnosed, although it is regarded as a common cause of recurrent non-positional vestibular vertigo. Its manifestations are dizziness of varying severity, combined with migraine and weakness. It can occur both during the migraine attacks themselves, and in the intervals between them. The duration of such attacks – from 3-5 minutes to 2-3 hours, sometimes days. They are not accompanied by noise or ringing in the ears, as well as hearing loss. Such attacks usually recur. The diagnosis of vestibular migraine is made on the basis of the typical clinical picture, as well as in the presence of migraine and after the exclusion of other possible causes of dizziness in women and men. Treatment of the disease, as with ordinary migraine, includes 3 stages: elimination of provoking factors, relief of an attack and preventive measures. Anti-migraine drugs or analgesics, as well as vestibular suppressants, are taken to eliminate vestibular migraine. Prevention is necessary for regular and severe attacks of vestibular migraine. Then specialists prescribe β-blockers and tricyclic antidepressants.
- Treatment of multiple sclerosis The most important thing in the treatment of this diagnosis is the elimination of life-spoiling sensations and related disorders: difficulties with coordination, hearing or vision. Treatment is determined by the cause of dizziness in men and women and the mechanisms of its development. It is important to guarantee the almost complete independence of the patient in everyday life, try to avoid sources of stress and minimize the risks of falls and injuries. Relief of symptoms includes the use of vestibulolytics. The time of their intake should be short and discussed with the doctor, because the inhibition of nerve formations does not allow compensatory changes to develop. The effectiveness of treatment increases with regular gymnastics, as well as exercises to restore the stable functioning of the vestibular apparatus. Therapy is also important to improve coordination, stabilize gait, and develop skills in a person to avoid balance problems in the future. Usually, physiotherapy exercises are used for this, which not only reduces discomfort, but also gives independence when moving.
In either case, treatment should be aimed at reducing the degree of dizziness, stopping vomiting, and accelerating vestibular compensation. Symptomatic therapy includes the use of vestibular suppressants. When vomiting, injectable forms of drugs are used. The duration of treatment is determined by the complexity of the manifestations of dizziness. However, in most cases they are taken no longer than 3 days. An additional effect is given by a course of corticosteroids and antiviral drugs for middle ear infections. The vestibular apparatus is best stabilized through special gymnastics. At first, it can negatively affect the well-being, but after 2-3 days, therapy should stabilize the condition. You need to repeat gymnastics at least twice a day.
After that, hearing disorders begin to be observed. People with a similar problem should have an MRI of the brain with IV contrast. This will help check the patient for the presence of a tumor in the posterior cranial fossa. When a tumor is found, patients need to consult a neurosurgeon for referral for surgery.
According to statistics, cerebrovascular accidents account for about 6%. The cause of dizziness at normal pressure can be a malfunction in the functioning of both the labyrinth itself due to problems with blood circulation, and a violation in the area of various brain systems. Most patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency are diagnosed with other neurological symptoms. Separately, dizziness with problems with blood vessels is very rare. In such situations, further diagnosis is required to remove other concomitant factors. You should not associate bouts of dizziness when changing the position of the head with compression of the vertebral arteries. Often, the rapid development of severe dizziness, along with nausea, vomiting and increased pressure, can be perceived as a signal of the development of a cerebrovascular disease. But usually it rises due to severe dizziness and stress. If a stroke is suspected, a person must be urgently hospitalized for examination and immediate treatment.
The hospital performs an MRI of the brain, which in a stroke will show a focal lesion of the cerebellum or brain stem.
Anti-migraine drugs or analgesics, as well as vestibular suppressants, are taken to eliminate vestibular migraine. Prevention is necessary for regular and severe attacks of vestibular migraine. Then specialists prescribe β-blockers and tricyclic antidepressants.
Therapy is also important to improve coordination, stabilize gait, and develop skills in a person to avoid balance problems in the future. Usually, physiotherapy exercises are used for this, which not only reduces discomfort, but also gives independence when moving.Demyelinating disorders (multiple sclerosis)
People with demyelinating lesions of the CNS, especially those with multiple sclerosis, may be diagnosed with vertigo. Diagnostic difficulties may occur when dizziness develops at the onset of the disease without other manifestations or with their moderate severity. Dizziness in this case can be of a mixed nature, and also be characterized by a persistent course. To confirm the diagnosis, the patient needs to undergo an MRI of the brain with intravenous contrast.
HADASSAH MEDICAL MOSCOW PERFORMS DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT OF VERTIGO
- CT of the temporal bones and MRI of the brain;
- Ultrasound of neck vessels;
- Audiometry;
- Neurologist appointment;
- ENT doctor’s appointment;
- General practitioner appointment;
- Diagnostic tests to verify BPPV and vestibular neuronitis.
Sources
- Diagnosis and treatment of balance disorders in diseases of the nervous system. Clinical guidelines, Moscow, 2017.
- Jahn K, Kressig RW, Bridenbaugh SA, Brandt T, Schniepp R. Dizziness and Unstable Gait in Old Age: Etiology, Diagnosis and Treatment. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2015 Jun 5;112(23):387-93. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2015.0387.
- Neurology: A practitioner’s guide / D.R. Shtulman, O.S. Levin. – 6th ed., add. and perab. — M.: MEDpress-inform, 2008. —— 1024 p.
- Brandt T., Dieterich M., Strupp M. Vertigo: per. from English. // M.: Practice, 2009.
- Parfenov V.A., Zamergrad M.V., Melnikov O.A. Dizziness: Diagnosis and Treatment, Common Diagnostic Mistakes: A Study Guide. // M.: MIA, 2009.
- V. Parfenov, N. Bestuzheva. Diagnosis and treatment of dizziness in outpatient practice // Vrach, 2012
- Neurology. National leadership. Brief edition / ed. E. I. Guseva, A. N. Konovalova, A. B. Gekht. — M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2018 — 688 p.
— M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2018 — 688 p.#DavidovNR
Davidov
Natan Rashbilovich
Neurologist, Ph.D.
Work experience: 10 years
Published: 07/12/2023
The information provided on the site is for reference only and cannot serve as a basis for making a diagnosis or prescribing treatment. Internal consultation of the expert is necessary.
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Davidov
Natan Rashbilovich
Neurologist, Ph.D.
Work experience: 10 years
Reviews: 2
Cost of admission: from 8000 ₽
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Luneva
Irina Evgenievna ENMG specialist
Work experience: 7
Reviews : 1
Admission fee: from 6500 ₽
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Work experience: 6 years
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Appointment fee: from 9000 ₽
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Podgurskaya
Maria Gennadievna
Neurologist, functional diagnostician
Work experience: 5 years
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Prices for neurology services
Neurology
| Primary appointment (examination, consultation) with a neurologist | 6,500 ₽ | Repeated appointment (examination, consultation) with a neurologist | 5,500 ₽ |
| Preventive appointment (examination, consultation) with a neurologist | 2,500 ₽ |
| Preventive appointment (examination, consultation) with a neurologist in medical examination | 3 500 ₽ |
| Appointment (examination, consultation) with a neurologist, PhD, primary | ||
| Appointment (examination, consultation) with a neurologist, candidate of medical sciences, repeated | 7 500 ₽ neurologist primary | 6 500 ₽ |
| Remote consultation of a neurologist repeated | 5 500 ₽ | |
| Remote consultation of a neurologist, PhD, primary | 9 000 ₽ | |
| 7 500 ₽ |
D. , repeated| Botulinum toxin type A injection, 1 vial (without drug cost) | 8 600 ₽ |
| Injection of botulinum toxin type A, 2 bottles (without the cost of the drug) | 14 300 ₽ |
| Remote consultation of a neurologist, rehabilitologist, head of the neuro-rehabilitation unit of the Multiple Sclerosis Center of the Khaim Medical Center Sheba (Tel Hashomer) Doleva Mark | 82 500 ₽ |
| Remote consultation of a neurologist, a leading specialist in the Department of Pediatric Neurology at the Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital of the Chaim Sheba Medical Center (Tel Hashomer) Michal Zadok | 60 500 ₽ |
| Remote consultation Neurologist, Professor, Head of the Department of Pediatric Neurology at the Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital of the Chaim Sheba Medical Center (Tel Hashomer) Bruria Ben-Zeev | 83 500 ₽ |
| Remote consultation of a neurologist, professor, head of the Department of Movement Disorders of the Institute of Neurology at the Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov, Tel Aviv) Tatyana Gurevich | 90 000 ₽ | Remote consultation of a neurologist, professor , Head of the Institute of Electromyography and Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov, Tel Aviv) Vivienne Drori | 112,000 ₽ |
| Remote consultation of neurologist, epileptologist at Chaim Sheba Medical Center (Tel Hashomer) Naum Margolin | 72 500 ₽ |
| Appointment (examination, consultation) with a neurologist at home within 10 km from the Skolkovo Innovation Center | 14,000 ₽ |
| Reception (examination, consultation) of a neurologist with home visits within 20 km from the Skolkovo Innovation Center | 16,000 ₽ |
| Reception (examination, consultation) of a neurologist with home visit within 30 km from the Skolkovo Innovation Center | 24,500 ₽ |
| Nerve trunk block | 5 100 ₽ |
| Trigger point block, zone 1 | 5 100 ₽ |
| Unilateral paravertebral block, cervical level | 3,700 RUB |
| Unilateral paravertebral block, thoracic level | RUB 3,700 |
| Bilateral paravertebral block, cervical level | |
| Paravertebral block bilateral, thoracic level | 5 100 ₽ |
| Paravertebral bilateral blockade, lumbar level | 5 900 ₽ |
| Paravertebral blockade, including the cost of drugs ₽ |
| Reflexology session for diseases of the central nervous system (45 minutes) | 7 200 ₽ | |
| Reflexology session for diseases of the peripheral nervous system (45 minutes) | 7 200 ₽ | |
| Reflexology session for diseases of the musculoskeletal system (45 minutes) | 7 200 RUB x spine (60 minutes) | 8000 ₽ |
| therapy for diseases of the joints (60 minutes) | 8 000 ₽ | |
| Vertebral therapy session for diseases of the central nervous system (60 minutes) | 8 000 ₽ | |
| Vertebral therapy session for diseases of the peripheral nervous system (60 minutes) | 8 000 ₽ |
9034 6
| Focused shock wave therapy (up to 2000 shocks) | $100 |
| Focused shock wave (up to 4500 shocks) | $9 |
| Focused shock wave (over 4500 strokes) | 10 100 ₽ |
| Focused shock wave therapy for myofascial pain syndrome, spine (up to 4500 shocks) | 11 500 ₽ |
| Focused shock wave therapy for myofascial pain syndrome, spine (over 4500 shocks) | 12 900 ₽ |
| Focused shock wave therapy in the treatment of diseases of the shoulder joint treatment of diseases of the hip joint | 11 500 ₽ |
| Focused shock wave therapy in the treatment of diseases of the elbow joint (epicondylitis) | 10 100 ₽ |
| Focused shock wave therapy in the treatment of diseases of the knee joint | 10 100 ₽ |
| Focused shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis | 10 100 ₽ |
| Focused shock wave therapy for bilateral plantar fasciitis | 14,300 RUB |
| Focused shockwave therapy for the treatment of Achilles tendon disease | 10,100 RUB |
| Focused shockwave therapy therapy for delayed healing of bone fractures and stress fractures | 10 100 ₽ |
| Focused shock-wave therapy for loading periosteopathy, aseptic necrosis (up to 3,000 strokes) | 10 100 ₽ |
| Focused shock-wave therapy for postoperative restoration (removal of edema, pain, up to 3000 shots) | 10 100 ₽ |
| Focused shock wave therapy for postoperative recovery (removal of edema, pain, over 3000 strokes) | 11 500 ₽ |
| Focused shock wave therapy in the treatment of trophic skin lesions (one segment) | 10 100 ₽ |
| Focused shock wave therapy in the treatment of trophic skin lesions (two segments) | 12 900 ₽ |
9000 3
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top 5 rating according to the CP
Complaints of dizziness are among the most common in practical medicine, second only to headaches.
Vertigo syndrome can be an important sign of various diseases: neurological, otiatric (inner ear), cardiovascular, mental and others 1 . Dizziness is a symptom and is not a disease.
Possible causes of dizziness 2 :
- pathology of the vestibular analyzer;
- Meniere’s disease;
- migraine;
- neurotic disorders;
- destructive changes in the cervical spine;
- diseases of internal organs;
- diseases of the organ of vision;
- labyrinthitis;
- vestibular neuritis;
- cholesteatoma;
- disorders of cerebral circulation.
Dizziness may be temporary or prolonged, especially if it is a sign of inflammation of the middle or inner ear (eg Meniere’s disease). A person with dizziness may have problems with balance and consciousness, feel dizzy, nausea, pain. Dizziness itself is the feeling that the room or environment is spinning around the person.
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More about the problemLearn about the treatment
Any drug “for dizziness” is a symptomatic therapy that eliminates only the unpleasant sensations themselves. Therefore, the first step in the treatment of dizziness is a visit to a neurologist or therapist, and if it is ear pain, an ENT doctor.
List of top 5 tablets for dizziness according to KP
Important! All drugs have side effects and contraindications. Our material is an overview and does not serve as a guide to action. Before buying drugs, consult your doctor.
Aviamarin
The drug belongs to the pharmacological group of h2-histamine receptor blockers, and its active ingredient is dimenhydrinate.
The remedy is used for pathologies of the vestibular apparatus: motion sickness in transport, Meniere’s disease. Aviamarin is also used as a prevention and treatment of symptoms of vestibular and labyrinth disorders.
Contraindications : 1st trimester of pregnancy, breast-feeding, hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, epilepsy, age up to 3 years, acute exudative and vesicular dermatoses.
Dramina
The drug is available in the form of tablets, its active ingredient is also dimenhydrinate. The tool has antiemetic, sedative and moderate antiallergic effect, helps to eliminate dizziness.
Indications for use are motion sickness in transport, prevention and treatment of symptoms of vestibular and labyrinth disorders (dizziness, nausea, vomiting), as well as Meniere’s disease.
Contraindications: acute dermatoses, epilepsy, age up to 3 years, pregnancy, breastfeeding period, hypersensitivity to drug components.
Memoplant
The herbal preparation is available in the form of small white film-coated tablets. The active substance of the product is a dry extract of the leaves of ginkgo biloba, which is used for disorders of attention and memory, dizziness, tinnitus, fear, sleep disorders. The instructions indicate that Memoplant improves cerebral and peripheral circulation.
Contraindications : hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, reduced blood clotting, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum in the acute phase, erosive gastritis, acute cerebrovascular accident, arterial hypotension, acute myocardial infarction, pregnancy and breastfeeding, age up to 18 years old.
Ginkoum
Herbal product with dry extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves as an active ingredient. The drug helps to improve cerebral circulation and the supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain, has a vasodilating effect, helps to normalize metabolic processes.
Ginkoum is available in the form of brown capsules and is used for disorders of attention and memory, dizziness, tinnitus, sleep disorders, general malaise arising from cerebrovascular disorders.
Contraindications : reduced blood clotting, erosive gastritis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum in the acute phase, acute cerebrovascular accident, acute myocardial infarction, arterial hypotension, pregnancy, lactation, age up to 18 years, hypersensitivity to drugs ginkgo biloba.
Vertigoheel
A multi-component homeopathic preparation is available in white and yellowish-white lozenges and drops for oral administration. Indications for admission are dizziness of various origins, including dizziness associated with motion sickness in transport.
Important! Vertigoheel can cause allergic reactions, so it must be taken strictly according to the instructions, and if the condition worsens, immediately consult a doctor.
Contraindications : increased individual sensitivity to the components of the drug, pregnancy, breastfeeding, age up to 18 years, lactase deficiency, lactose intolerance.
How to choose pills for dizziness
Given the fact that there are a lot of causes of dizziness, it is impossible to say unequivocally which are the best pills for dizziness. In each specific situation, these can be drugs of completely different pharmacological groups and the principle of action. Generally speaking, doctors prescribe a number of medications for the development of dizziness and its accompanying symptoms. It can be:
- tranquilizers;
- diuretics;
- antihistamines;
- drugs from the group of calcium antagonists;
- ACE inhibitor tablets;
- cerebrovascular dilators;
- anti-inflammatory drugs.
A specific drug and concomitant treatment is selected only by a doctor, focusing on the patient’s age, the cause that provoked dizziness, existing contraindications and chronic diseases.
It is forbidden to take any drugs on your own.
If the problem is related to the brain itself, nootropic drugs are most often used, which help in accelerating the metabolism in the cells of the cerebral cortex and saturating them with oxygen.
If the cause is in various diseases of the nervous system, antipsychotics can help, which suppress psychomotor agitation, inhibit the activity of nervous processes.
Antihistamines, which have a sedative effect, can be used for motion sickness or drug side effects.
With migraines, Meniere’s disease and some problems with blood vessels, antispasmodics will be effective, which relieve spasms of blood vessels and improve blood flow to the brain.
Popular Questions and Answers
We asked a neurologist of the highest category Evgeny Mosin about dizziness and the choice of drugs for it.
What causes dizziness?
– Dizziness can be caused by a variety of conditions, which usually involve an imbalance in the inner ear or problems with the central nervous system (CNS).
Conditions that can lead to dizziness include the following:
● Labyrinthite. This disorder may occur when an infection from the middle ear or nasopharynx causes inflammation of the labyrinth, part of the inner ear. This area contains the vestibulocochlear nerve. This nerve sends information about head movement, body position, and sound to the brain. In addition to dizziness, a person with labyrinthitis may experience hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, ear pain, and vision changes.
● Vestibular neuritis. The infection also causes vestibular neuritis, which is inflammation of the vestibular nerve. The disease is similar to labyrinthitis, but does not affect a person’s hearing. Vestibular neuritis causes dizziness, which may accompany blurred vision, severe nausea, or a feeling of imbalance.
● Cholesteatoma. This non-cancerous growth develops in the middle ear, usually due to repeated infection. When it grows behind the eardrum, the tumor can damage the bony structures of the middle ear, leading to hearing loss and dizziness.
● Meniere’s disease. This condition causes fluid to accumulate in the inner ear, which can lead to bouts of vertigo with tinnitus and hearing loss. It is more common in people between the ages of 40 and 60. The exact cause is unclear, but it may be caused by narrowing of the blood vessels, a viral infection, or an autoimmune reaction.
Dizziness may also occur with:
● migraine;
● head injuries;
● ear surgery;
● perilymph fistula, where fluid from the inner ear seeps into the middle ear due to a rupture of one of the two membranes between the middle ear and the inner ear;
● herpes zoster in or around the ear;
● otosclerosis, where the problem of overgrowth of the bones of the middle ear leads to hearing loss;
● ataxia resulting in muscle weakness;
● stroke or transient ischemic attack, sometimes referred to by people as a mini-stroke;
● cerebellar or brain stem disease;
● acoustic neuroma, which is a benign growth that develops on the vestibulochochlar nerve near the inner ear;
● multiple sclerosis.
Prolonged bed rest and the use of certain medications can also cause dizziness.
What to do if you feel dizzy?
– Some types of dizziness go away without intervention, but the person may need treatment for the underlying problem. A doctor may, for example, prescribe antibiotics for a bacterial infection or antivirals for shingles. Medications are available that can relieve some of the symptoms. These medications include antihistamines and antiemetics to reduce motion sickness and nausea.
If other treatments fail, surgery may be needed, especially for BPPV and acoustic neuroma. But you can’t take anything on your own, be sure to contact a neurologist or ENT.
Can you get rid of dizziness yourself?
– There are some things you can do at home to help relieve dizziness and limit its effects. But these are not drugs, but lifestyle changes.
Steps that can help relieve dizziness include:
● lying still in a quiet, dark room if you feel dizzy;
● sitting down on a chair or leaning on objects as soon as dizziness appears;
● careful movement that may cause symptoms: standing up abruptly, turning or tilting the head;
● squatting down instead of bending down to pick something up;
● if necessary, use a cane while walking;
● head up on two or more pillows;
● Devices in the house to turn on the light when getting up at night to prevent falling.