Feeling nauseous and dizzy: Symptoms and treatments

Many different factors or conditions may cause nausea and dizziness.

Headaches

Not all headaches cause head pain alone. With some types of headaches, nausea and dizziness might be the most noticeable symptoms.

Migraine headaches are neurological headaches that can cause vision problems, dizziness, unusual sensations, and vomiting, with or without head pain.

Some people also notice dizziness and nausea with other types of headaches, especially if the pain is very intense.

Many people who have a migraine headache also experience chronic pain. Some migraines develop in response to specific triggers, such as stress or caffeine.

Drugs and alcohol

Getting drunk or high can cause dizziness or nausea. As the body works to get rid of toxins, such as alcohol, a person may vomit.

Some prescription medications may also cause dizziness and vomiting, especially when they affect brain functioning.

People who notice these symptoms after starting a new drug should tell a doctor. Some of the most common drugs that may cause dizziness and nausea include:

• antidepressants
• antianxiety drugs
• anti-seizure drugs
• blood pressure medication
• antipsychotic drugs
• some antibiotics

Motion sickness

Motion sickness can happen when the body perceives unusual motion. This may occur when a person is not moving but is more likely when a person is in a moving vehicle, such as a car, boat, or plane.

Motion sickness can cause nausea, headaches, and dizziness. Some people experience other symptoms, such as yawning, drowsiness, or sweating.

It usually gets better once a person gets out of a moving vehicle.

When a person who is not in a moving vehicle experiences motion sickness, something has usually triggered the sensation, such as watching someone else move, a video game, or a video with movement.

Motion sickness is not dangerous.

Stomach illnesses

A stomach virus or bacterial infection can cause nausea and vomiting. Some people with a stomach infection also feel dizzy or become dizzy because of dehydration.

One of the most common causes of stomach illnesses is norovirus. This highly contagious infection causes vomiting and nausea that can last for a day or longer. Some people also get a fever, headache, or muscle pain.

Bacterial infections, often from food, may also cause stomach illnesses.

Salmonella and Escherichia coli bacteria are two of the most common causes.

While most such infections clear on their own, these illnesses can cause dangerous dehydration in young children, the elderly, and people with underlying medical conditions.

Other infections

Numerous other infections, ranging from mild to life-threatening, may cause nausea and dizziness.

In most cases, a person will also get a fever. Some infections that might cause nausea and dizziness include:

• herpes zoster oticus, a rare variant of herpes that infects the ear
• any ear infection, especially of the inner ear
• infections of the eye that affect vision, since this may cause a person to feel dizzy

Any untreated infection can spread to other areas of the body, causing a condition called sepsis. Sepsis may cause dizziness and nausea, but it is a life threatening condition, and people need immediate medical treatment.

Dehydration

Sometimes dehydration can make a person feel dizzy.

Dehydration is relatively common after an episode of vomiting, so people who are dehydrated may already feel nauseated.

Drinking plenty of fluids may ease the dizziness. People who cannot keep anything down should see a doctor.

Anxiety

Anxiety is more than just a psychological sensation. It can also cause physical symptoms.

Some people experience dizziness and nausea as a result of anxiety. People’s symptoms may worsen if the dizziness and nausea cause even more worry and anxiety.

Anxiety is the most likely cause of dizziness and nausea if a person’s symptoms worsen when they feel stressed or overwhelmed or after a panic attack.

Pregnancy

Morning sickness is one of the most common early pregnancy symptoms.

It can cause nausea and sometimes dizziness and vomiting.

Morning sickness can be very unpleasant but is not dangerous unless a person cannot keep down food and becomes dehydrated.

People who feel dizzy and who cannot stop vomiting should see a doctor immediately.

Vertigo

Vertigo is not a single diagnosis but rather a group of symptoms that cause dizziness and sometimes nausea or spinning sensations.

One of the most common types of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. This happens when tiny crystals in the inner ear move, making it difficult for the brain to assess movement.

A doctor can treat this condition, as well as other types of vertigo.

Brain injuries and tumors

Brain injuries are the most serious potential cause of nausea and dizziness but also the least common.

A stroke happens when a blockage in a blood vessel or a bleeding vessel disrupts blood flow to the brain.

It is more common with people who have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including people over 50, those with high blood pressure, and people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. However, anyone can have a stroke.

Symptoms of a stroke include numbness or tingling on one side of the body, a drooping face, confusion, and muscle weakness on one side of the body. Nausea and dizziness are not typically the only symptoms.

Very rarely, a brain tumor might cause nausea or dizziness. It almost always causes other symptoms, such as headaches, balance issues, vision problems, and personality changes.

Nausea and vomiting with no other symptoms usually go away on their own.

A person should see a doctor if they:

• have symptoms for more than a few days
• are pregnant and become dehydrated or cannot keep food down
• have other symptoms, such as changes in personality or trouble walking
• develop nausea or dizziness after starting a new medication
• have frequent migraine headaches or other headaches that disrupt daily functioning
• experience chronic anxiety

A person should go to the emergency room if they:

• have trouble moving, pain or numbness on one side of the body, or other symptoms of a stroke
• lose consciousness or seem very confused

It is not always possible to prevent nausea and dizziness. Here are some strategies that can reduce the risk:

• washing hands frequently, especially when in close contact with others or after being around someone who is sick
• keeping children home from school when they are sick
• avoiding working or going out in public when sick
• drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated
• seeking medical care for any unexplained symptoms

Nausea and dizziness can be very unpleasant and could indicate something more serious. It could also trigger anxiety.

When a person is unsure why they have these symptoms or the symptoms get progressively worse, a person should see a doctor who can diagnose the problem.

Headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain: Cause

Many illnesses can cause a headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and stomach pain. It is difficult to narrow down the specific condition a person may have, based on symptoms alone.

The symptoms may also be interlinked. For example, a person may experience a headache and dizziness as symptoms of changes in their head. They may experience stomach pain as a result of nausea. Fatigue may result if a person is tired due to pain.

This article will explain some possible causes of headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain, including gastroenteritis, migraine, and COVID-19. It will also advise when a person should contact a doctor or healthcare professional for each possible cause.

There are many possible causes for these symptoms, including those below. If someone experiences the symptoms, it is essential to contact their doctor and avoid self-diagnosing. This way, they can obtain the most accurate diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment.

Gastroenteritis results from inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Different conditions can cause gastroenteritis, including viruses such as norovirus and bacterial infections such as Salmonella. Some people refer to viral gastroenteritis as stomach flu.

Symptoms

A person with gastroenteritis may experience:

• vomiting
• watery diarrhea
• headache
• fever
• muscle cramps
• stomach cramps

Headaches can be a symptom of dehydration resulting from the gastroenteritis infection itself. They may also occur due to muscle stiffness from vomiting or having to stay in bed for long periods.

Dizziness may occur because of lost fluids from diarrhea or vomiting.

Learn what a person with stomach flu should eat here.

When to contact a doctor

Most cases of gastroenteritis are viral and go away on their own.

However, if a person shows signs of dehydration or the illness becomes severe, they should contact a doctor or healthcare professional. Symptoms of dehydration or severe gastroenteritis may include:

• irritability
• diarrhea for more than 2 days
• high fever
• six or more bouts of diarrhea a day
• severe pain in the stomach or rectum
• black or bloody stools
• stools with pus
• sunken eyes
• extreme thirst
• dark urine

Treatment of gastroenteritis may involve antibiotics, especially if a person is a young child, an older adult, or pregnant.

Learn more about signs of dehydration here.

Sometimes people experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain during pregnancy. Some people may experience these symptoms early on in pregnancy as pregnancy hormone levels rise. However, symptoms can occur at any time during pregnancy.

Symptoms

A 2021 review confirms that a person who is pregnant may experience:

• headaches
• vomiting or nausea
• stomach pain
• pelvic pain
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• low blood pressure
• high heart rate
• changes in vaginal discharge or urine

When to contact a doctor

These symptoms are usually normal during pregnancy. However, it is important to tell a doctor about all symptoms and to ask about treatment options for those that disrupt daily life.

If a person experiences severe dizziness, a headache so intense it is unbearable, or they cannot keep any food down, they should seek care right away.

Some people find relief from pregnancy symptoms by avoiding certain foods, drinking more water, or resting.

Learn more about what to expect during pregnancy here.

Migraine is a chronic condition. Most people who have migraine experience it often during their life.

Symptoms

A migraine headache is a type of neurological headache that causes:

• intense head pain
• nausea
• changes in mood
• dizziness

Some people also experience unusual sensations, such as strange lights or sounds.

When to contact a doctor

Migraine is not dangerous. However, if a person experiences the following symptoms alongside a migraine headache, they should contact their doctor:

• fever
• chills
• unexplained weight loss
• night sweats
• sudden severe pain
• facial tingling
• vision changes
• persistent pain in the same place in the head
• changes in the headache pain when:
  • changing position
  • sneezing, coughing, or straining

Identifying migraine triggers can help a person avoid headaches. A doctor can also prescribe a wide range of medications, including medicines that can either prevent or treat migraines.

Read more on when to worry about a headache here.

The cold and the flu are both common respiratory illnesses, but they differ based on which virus has caused them. The flu could lead to more serious health complications, such as pneumonia.

Symptoms

People with the cold or influenza virus may develop the following symptoms:

• headaches
• stomach pain
• dizziness
• fever or chills
• fatigue
• chest pain
• sneezing or coughing
• sore throat

Symptoms of the flu tend to be more severe, last longer, and may come on suddenly.

When to contact a doctor

Both the cold and flu are viruses that usually go away on their own.

However, a person should contact a doctor if they experience:

• difficulty breathing
• ongoing chest or stomach pain or pressure
• ongoing dizziness or confusion
• seizures
• severe muscle pain
• extreme weakness
• fever or cough that goes away and comes back or worsens

A doctor can also prescribe a drug to make the flu less severe if a person seeks treatment early. A person should drink plenty of fluids, rest, and stay home to avoid spreading the virus.

Learn how to treat a cold or flu at home here.

The novel coronavirus causes COVID-19, which is a respiratory illness. Symptoms can be severe, moderate, or a person may not notice them at all.

Symptoms

A person experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 may notice:

• fever or chills
• coughing
• shortness of breath
• muscle and body aches
• stuffy nose
• headache
• diarrhea
• nausea or vomiting
• loss of taste or smell

Learn to tell the difference between COVID-19, cold, and flu symptoms here.

When to contact a doctor

A person should seek emergency medical care if they experience the following symptoms:

• difficulty breathing
• chest pain or pressure that does not go away
• new confusion
• difficulty staying awake or waking up
• pale, blue, or gray hues to their skin

People with concussion may have recently had a blow to the head, such as from a fall or car wreck.

Symptoms

A head injury can cause a headache, as well as neurological symptoms such as:

• dizziness
• vomiting
• nausea
• confusion

Learn about the symptoms of concussion here.

When to contact a doctor

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. However, it can require a doctor to hospitalize and observe the person.

Depending on the nature of the head injury, a person might need ongoing support or rehabilitation such as occupational therapy.

A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain becomes blocked, usually because of a blood clot.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a stroke vary from person to person and may change based on which area of the brain a stroke affects. Some people experience nausea, dizziness, or vomiting.

The most common symptoms of a stroke include:

• not being able to raise both arms to the same level
• one side of the face drooping, especially when a person smiles
• severe headache
• changes in speech, especially not being able to repeat words

When to contact a doctor

A person should go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately if they notice these symptoms in themselves or someone else. Delaying care can result in death.

There is no safe home treatment for a stroke. A doctor may perform surgery, admit a person to the hospital, or recommend long-term care, such as physical or speech therapy.

Because the brain controls much of what the body does, neurological conditions can cause symptoms such as nausea and dizziness, as well as a headache. Although rare, the appearance of these symptoms together may signal another neurological condition, such as a brain tumor.

Only a doctor can properly diagnose a neurological condition, so it is important to see a neurologist for any unexplained symptoms that do not go away with home treatment. The treatment for these symptoms will vary depending on the underlying cause.

Learn about different types of headache here.

Headaches can be scary, and nausea can make even basic daily functions difficult.

If a person experiences these symptoms alongside dizziness, stomach pain, and fatigue, they may feel concerned. However, in many cases, symptoms go away on their own or happen because of a minor illness, not because of a major health crisis.

There are many possible causes of these symptoms, in addition to the conditions above. A person should discuss their symptoms and history with a doctor to obtain a proper diagnosis.

It is important to contact a doctor as soon as possible if these symptoms do not clear up on their own or worsen, or if there are additional symptoms.

Weakness and dizziness. Reasons for what to do with a sharp weakness.

Gimranov Rinat Fazylzhanovich
Neurologist, neurophysiologist, experience – 33 years;
Professor of Neurology, MD;
Clinic for Rehabilitation Neurology. About the Author

Published: April 3, 2021

Updated: October 25, 2022

Feeling slightly dizzy and tired is a common sensation that almost everyone is familiar with. As a rule, this is a signal that you have survived a long and difficult day and it’s time to relax. But if the head is constantly spinning, and weakness is felt all the time, then the reasons for the manifestation of these symptoms can be dangerous.

The problem is complicated by the fact that such a deterioration in well-being is characteristic of a wide range of diseases. Some of them require immediate hospitalization [1].

If you suddenly feel dizzy and feel weak, you should carefully consider your condition and analyze if there are any other abnormal symptoms. And then see a doctor, because such attacks can be potentially life-threatening.

Article content:

• 1 Dangerous symptoms
• 2 Causes
• 3 Causes
  • 3.1 Infectious diseases of various types
  • 3.2 Disorders of the vestibular apparatus
  • 3.3 Injuries and diseases of the brain
  • 3.4 Neurological diseases of various types 90 025
  • 3.5 Hypothyroidism
  • 3.6 Cardiovascular diseases
  • 3.7 Blood pressure surges
  • 3.8 Osteochondrosis of the neck
  • 3. 9 Diabetes mellitus

  9002 5

• 4 When is fatigue and weakness not a pathology?
• 5 First Aid
• 6 Diagnostics
• 7 Treatment
• 8 List of used literature

Dangerous symptoms

Feel weakness, fatigue and slight dizziness – a natural reaction of the human body after an active day. Mental work, physical training and even outdoor activities lead to the fact that a person exhausts daily energy reserves. However, the very next day, after a good rest, the discomfort stops.

But if the head is constantly spinning, and a person feels weak and unwell, feels that there is no strength, other symptoms are weak or strong, then only a doctor is able to determine what kind of disease this may be.

Vivid additional signs of the development of pathology, requiring immediate treatment to the clinic, are:

1. headaches lasting more than a day;
2. fever;
3. feeling of nausea and vomiting [2];
4. changes in blood pressure;
5. severe decrease in performance;
6. a sharp deterioration in intellectual abilities;
7. lethargy, stupefaction;

1. chronization of the condition, situations are dangerous when the ailment does not go away after a long good rest.

Causes

Quite often, patients of the clinic report: “I feel bad, I feel dizzy and weak for the second day or a week.” But each person in this definition will lay different feelings. For some, they are directly related to physical discomfort, while others notice a sharp decrease in mental abilities, a slowdown in work.

Special attention should also be paid to any accompanying symptoms in order to establish whether the patient has a serious illness or not [3] .

Causes

Quite often, patients of the clinic report: “I feel bad, I feel dizzy and weak for the second day or a week.” But each person in this definition will lay different feelings. For some, they are directly related to physical discomfort, while others notice a sharp decrease in mental abilities, a slowdown in work.

Special attention should also be paid to any accompanying symptoms in order to establish whether the patient has a serious illness or not [3] .

Let’s take a closer look at situations that can cause such discomfort to a person.

Infectious diseases of various types

Dozens of different types of infections and viruses are known, the infection of which manifests itself in the very first days with dizziness and fatigue, a feeling of sudden weakness. It is extremely important to track other manifestations: changes in body temperature, pressure, headaches and discomfort in the muscles, changes in the skin. This will help to calculate the degree of danger of the patient’s condition and the need for urgent treatment to the hospital.

Disorders of the vestibular apparatus

Temporary irritation or developed diseases of the vestibular apparatus are manifested, including dizziness, fatigue, lack of coordination, unsteadiness when walking. Depending on the specific cause, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting may occur. At the same time, both Meniere’s disease and excessive regular alcohol consumption can negatively affect the system.

Injuries and diseases of the brain

Including the development of neoplasms. The brain is the most important and at the same time sensitive organ of our body. Even not a strong blow to the head can lead to the gradual development of serious pathologies [4].

Problems with blood vessels, the occurrence of tumors, intracranial aneurysms negatively affect the state of the cortex.

As a rule, growing tumor presses on nearby tissues, causing various symptoms.

Including – headache, severe weakness, problems with the perception of space around. The attacks are especially strong in the morning after waking up.

Neurological diseases of various types

The nervous system organizes and coordinates the work of our entire body. Problems that have arisen in different departments can lead to a decrease in the ability to navigate in space, a constant feeling of fatigue and weakness, dry mouth, bouts of pain and other unpleasant manifestations.

Hypothyroidism

The disease affects the functioning of the thyroid gland, weakens it. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine gradually cease to be produced, the correct metabolism is disturbed. A person will constantly experience a feeling of fatigue, weakness, slight dizziness.

Cardiovascular diseases

Directly affect our well-being. Violation of the work of the heart, defects of the organ and blood vessels are not so rare.

Deformation or loss of elasticity of the arteries directly affects the supply of the brain with the necessary amount of blood, and with it nutrients, including oxygen. With disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system, all organs suffer, and the brain in the first place [5].

At first, this is manifested by rare bouts of dizziness. Later, it can lead to the appearance of chronic diseases and a sharp decrease in mental abilities.

Surges in blood pressure

Both a sharp increase and a decrease in blood pressure can cause unpleasant symptoms. Both conditions are extremely dangerous. With reduced levels, the brain lacks the necessary oxygen. With numbers above the norm, vascular damage occurs and a negative effect on nearby brain tissues occurs.

Osteochondrosis of the neck

Pathological changes in the vertebrae lead to the fact that nerve endings are subjected to negative impact, pressure. The vessels responsible for supplying the brain with oxygen (vertebral arteries) also suffer, they are pinched. With a long course of the disease, the patient will experience hypoxic encephalopathy: weakness, fatigue throughout the body and dizziness.

Diabetes mellitus

Fluctuations in blood glucose caused by the manifestation of the disease lead to a constant feeling of being tired and weak.

Symptoms may persist for weeks even if all the necessary recommendations of doctors are followed. And they get worse when the prescribed treatment is not followed.

For example, when insulin is administered excessively, a dangerous condition occurs – hypoglycemia.

When is fatigue and weakness not a pathology?

Except in cases where poor health is manifested due to a developed disease, it is not uncommon for a person to feel unwell due to the regular negative impact of environmental factors.

Often the causes of dizziness and weakness in the form of small attacks or prolonged sensations for several days are the following factors:

1. Regular overwork. Both physical and intellectual, psycho-emotional.

1. Chronic sleep deprivation. With a lack of time to rest for days, weeks, a person’s sleep is disturbed. The phase responsible for the restoration of psychological and physical resources is disrupted. Because of this, immediately after waking up, he feels tired, dizzy and constantly tired.

1. Anemia, anemia. There are many reasons for this pathology. There is a lack of iron necessary for good health in the blood.

1. Excessive physical fatigue after unusually heavy or prolonged exercise.

1. Drop in blood glucose levels due to starvation or unbalanced diet. As a rule, it occurs when trying to follow a strict diet.

1. Stressful situations. When from a temporary phenomenon they become permanent, then its symptoms appear in almost any part of the body. And they affect the work of all organs. In particular, the patient will feel depressed, tired, his performance will decrease.

It is extremely dangerous to self-medicate and use only folk remedies for such signs of the disease. The patient may worsen his state of health and lose time, which will lead to the formation of complications of concomitant pathology.

Due to the variety of causes, it is up to a doctor after a careful examination to decide what means and why there is a condition with symptoms of slight dizziness, intense thirst, weakness, body aches, lethargy and occasional difficulty standing all day or several days in a row.

First Aid

If an attack starts suddenly, it is extremely important not to panic, but to know what to do and immediately take the necessary measures to eliminate it. In most cases, you can manage on your own:

• try to calm down;
• take a comfortable position, sit in a relaxed position or lie down;
• drink a glass of cool water;
• find a point on a stationary object and focus your attention, vision on it;
• measure your blood pressure and take medicine if necessary;
• eat something sweet.

If bad health haunts you every day or in the evenings, you constantly have a feeling that you are staggering, weakness, pain in the head, dizziness, then only a medical consultation will tell you to understand what it could be, what the illness is connected with and what to do with this cause.

If the attack is sudden and accompanied by a speech disorder, clumsiness that suddenly appeared, numbness of the hands and feet, then it is urgent to call an ambulance, describing the symptoms in detail.

Diagnosis

Since such signs can accompany various diseases, the initial examination plays a significant role when contacting a doctor. Due to the accuracy of the information provided by the patient or his relatives, the doctor will be able to identify the problem [6].

After the initial examination, laboratory and apparatus tests are prescribed to confirm the conclusion of a neurologist or therapist:

• A set of tests may be prescribed: the level of minerals in the body, the condition of the kidneys, blood composition, liver function indicators, the presence of infection in the body.
• Measurement of blood pressure at rest and after strenuous activity.

• An ECG showing the condition of the heart.
• MRI if there is a suspicion of the development of diseases of the brain or its vessels.
• X-ray examination of the cervical spine.
• Ultrasound, dopplerography of brain vessels inside the skull.

After receiving the results, your doctor will refer you to a doctor who deals with the problem.

Treatment

Every person facing poor health is concerned about a number of questions: what to do if often, almost every day, dizziness and weakness appears, what and why does this occur?

It is extremely important to complete the full course of treatment without adding anything to it without the consent of the attending physician. Not canceling or changing drugs and procedures ahead of time, even if you feel better [7].

By deviating from the recommendation, you may cause the disease to return. Or make the treatment useless, which will lead to serious complications.

Combination therapy has proved its effectiveness, combining multidirectional methods:

• Medication and supportive drugs aimed at solving a specific problem. As a rule, nootropics and antidepressants, sedatives and vitamin complexes are prescribed if a serious illness is not detected. Or they prescribe highly specialized drugs that affect the root cause of the disease state.

• Physiotherapy includes a range of procedures that can be prescribed, depending on the specific diagnosis. Additionally, the doctor prescribes a set of physical therapy exercises for the development of balance, gymnastics courses, massages.
• Psychotherapy, if unsatisfactory health is associated primarily with mental problems and constant stress.

In severe cases, when serious injuries or neoplasms become the reason for the deterioration of health, doctors resort to surgical intervention. Such methods are used only if conservative treatment cannot give the desired result.

References

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What is dizziness, possible causes

Dizziness (vertigo) is an alarming symptom that accompanies a variety of diseases. Depending on the severity of the manifestations, a person may feel discomfort, disorientation in space, and nausea. In rare cases, dizziness is so severe that the patient loses consciousness, cannot stand on his own feet. The symptom is widespread among people of different sex and age, but is especially common among the elderly and women.

Causes of dizziness

There are two groups of reasons why the head is spinning: physiological (due to the natural state of the body) and pathological (caused by disease).

Physiological factors

Among them:

• abrupt start of movement, eg jumping from a height;
• supersaturation of the lungs with oxygen;
• strong fright;
• low hemoglobin level in the blood;
• malnutrition or long period without food;
• menstruation, menopause or pregnancy (the main cause of dizziness in women).

Meteorological sensitivity is a separate group of physiological factors. In the world, a huge number of people complain about poor health due to the weather. Violations cause changes in humidity, temperature, changes in atmospheric pressure before a blizzard or thunderstorm.

Pathological factors

Among them:

1. Diseases of the ear. Any disturbance in the vestibular apparatus can lead to the fact that a person will constantly feel dizzy. For example, labyrinthitis – a septic inflammation of the inner ear – provokes severe dizziness. The patient has a fever, headache, regular vomiting.

2. Pathologies of the cervical spine. Diseases such as osteochondrosis, hernias, whiplash injuries lead to impaired blood supply to the brain. This is one of the reasons why the head is spinning.

3. Various phobias. Fear of heights, open space, crowds may cause dizziness. Sometimes a person feels bad just thinking about his fear.

4. Vascular pathologies. Ischemia, strokes, thrombosis cause cerebral hypoxia. Chronic oxygen starvation causes frequent dizziness.

5. Neuritis. The vestibulocochlear structure is affected, which transmits information from the vestibular apparatus directly to the brain. With neuritis, dizziness may weaken and intensify, accompanied by wandering headaches.

6. Meniere’s disease. In 5-8% of cases, this pathology is the cause of dizziness. Meniere’s disease is characterized by an increase in the volume of endolymph, which accumulates inside the labyrinth. The fluid creates excess pressure in the inner ear, edema develops, and the work of the vestibular nerve is disturbed. The head is spinning in short attacks, sporadically. The main symptom is accompanied by hearing loss, tinnitus.

7. Intoxication. When the head begins to feel dizzy, it may be a symptom of poisoning with chemicals, products, and various toxic substances. Mercury, arsenic, and lead are especially dangerous for the brain.

8. Brain tumors. Neoplasm in the process of growth compresses the surrounding tissues, disrupts their trophism.

9. Minor strokes. A transient disorder of cerebral circulation worsens the trophism of cerebral structures. Dizziness with a microstroke is strong, pronounced, accompanied by a sharp headache, paresis, and speech disorders. An episode can last several hours and requires urgent treatment.

10. Head injury. Dizziness is caused by concussions, bruises. If a hematoma forms in the brain, an increase in the volume of CSF causes compression of the surrounding tissues. The nutrition of the brain is disturbed, the vessels are compressed.

Classification

Depending on the nature of the manifestations, there are several types of dizziness in men and women:

1. True. Pathology caused by abnormalities in the extrapyramidal system or vestibular apparatus. True dizziness occurs with vertebral artery syndrome, cerebellar pathology, inflammatory diseases of the inner ear, due to traumatic brain injuries.

2. Pseudo-vertigo (organic syndrome). The patient feels unwell immediately after sleeping or when trying to get up quickly after sitting for a long time. As such, there is no dizziness, but the person loses balance and falls. The cause of false pathology may be a sharp violation of cerebral blood flow, insufficient trophism of tissues and organs. A similar symptom, when dizzy when standing up, is more often experienced by people with overweight or underweight, patients with neurological diagnoses. Rapid movement does not allow the body to adapt to the changed load. As a rule, pseudovertigo is harmless and does not require treatment. It is important to exclude the state of orthostatic hypotension, when a person’s blood pressure drops sharply when standing up.

3. Peripheral vertigo. The cause of malaise is diseases of organs and systems that are not related to the brain. The head is spinning due to damage to the vestibular apparatus. Trauma, toxic poisoning, viral and bacterial infections can lead to inflammation or destruction of the labyrinth. By itself, peripheral dizziness is not dangerous, but it is necessary to treat the underlying disease. Inflammation of the inner ear can progress to meningitis, spread to the sinuses, to the throat. Even without development, the disease interferes with daily life.

4. Central vertigo. Pathology is formed against the background of damage to the central nervous system. Possible causes: tumor, inflammation, tissue compression in the frontal, occipital or parietal lobes, disorders of the cerebellum, extrapyramidal system. Central vertigo begins abruptly. Especially often, the symptom occurs during a quick turn of the head, an unsuccessful tilt, or other incorrect and abrupt movements. If dizziness is accompanied by weakness, hallucinations, you should consult a doctor immediately. Early diagnosis of pathologies is the key to successful treatment.

5. Secondary disorder. Dizziness develops as a consequence of the underlying disease. For example, the cause of a secondary disorder may be a violation of the body’s sensitivity to insulin.

6. Sensual form. The appearance of a symptom provokes problems in the functioning of the sensory organs. The patient may have impaired vision, hearing. Disorientation is possible with a combination of light and noise stimuli, for example, when a person begins to feel dizzy when entering the dance floor. Dizziness in a sensual form is always provoked by some external factor. Removing the trigger relieves the symptom.

Symptoms

The condition usually occurs suddenly, for no apparent reason. A person begins to feel dizzy, due to disorientation, he is led to one side or the other. If the patient is sitting at this time, there may be a feeling of inclination in space or movement of surrounding objects. The manifestations are similar to those that occur after a long ride on a carousel. The patient is unsteady on his feet. In order not to fall, he needs support. Symptoms of dizziness usually subside quickly. Sometimes it is enough to sit or lie down and be at rest for a while.

Depending on the causes of dizziness, others may be added to the main symptom:

• cold hands or feet;
• feeling short of breath;
• feeling of fear, anxiety;
• excessive sweating in one area (for example, on the palms) or all over the body;
• confusion of thoughts, feeling of lightness in the head;
• nausea, vomiting;
• numbness of face, lips;
• tinnitus;
• heart rate acceleration;
• increase or decrease in pressure;
• flickering of “flies” before the eyes, darkening;
• involuntary twitching of the eyeballs, etc.

Diagnostics

In total, about 80 diseases of various systems and organs can cause dizziness. For an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination by a general practitioner.

The patient is prescribed procedures according to his condition:

1. General analysis of urine and blood.

2. Biochemical analysis of blood.

3. Dopplerography of cerebral vessels.

4. Electroencephalography.

5. Hearing research. Results of acoustic impedancemetry, threshold audiometry may be needed.

6. Posturography. During the study, the doctor evaluates the mechanisms of interaction between the vestibular, visual and musculoskeletal systems that provide balance. Carry out rotational tests, caloric test.

7. Rheoencephalography. The study allows you to evaluate the trophic tissue of the brain.

8. MRI. From the images, the doctor receives information about the state of the blood supply system, the presence and location of the tumor, the location of the focus of inflammation, and other important data.

How to deal with dizziness

When dizzy, you need to calm down. Panic will make things worse. It is recommended to squat down or just on the floor, try to focus on one of the furnishings. Do not close your eyes! Dizziness will increase if the brain stops receiving visual information.

If for some time the symptom worsens, the palms begin to sweat, nausea sets in, there is a feeling of tightness in the chest, it is necessary to call a doctor. Before the arrival of the ambulance, it is better to lie horizontally, not to make sudden movements.

If you witness another person having a dizzy spell, help him sit up. You can unbutton your outerwear and open the window for fresh air. The patient is laid on a sofa or any other horizontal surface, the shoulders and neck are placed on a pillow. In an elevated position, the arteries will not kink and ensure the flow of blood to the brain. A cold towel applied to the forehead will help ease the attack.

Treatment of dizziness

The treatment is complex, selected individually for each patient. To prescribe adequate therapy, the doctor must have a clear answer to the question of why the patient is dizzy.

Medical therapy

If the cause of dizziness in a woman or a man is a circulatory disorder, vasodilators are prescribed. An additional intake of antihistamines or other drugs that improve the rheological properties of the blood is possible.

If the head is spinning due to a neurological disease, the doctor prescribes nootropics. Medicines improve nerve conduction.

Osteochondrosis causing dizziness requires complex treatment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants are prescribed.

Dizziness in women that occurs during menopause or on certain days of the menstrual cycle, resolves after hormone therapy. Treatment is carried out under the supervision of a gynecologist.

Compliance with the regime of work and rest

The patient is recommended to normalize sleep, if possible, reduce the time spent in front of the computer. It is important to observe the alternation of physical and mental stress.

Diet

From the diet it is necessary to exclude products that increase or decrease blood pressure, spasm blood vessels, and have an exciting effect on the nervous system. The patient is advised to give up salty, spicy foods, strong tea and coffee.

Gymnastics

Between attacks it is useful to do simple physical exercises. Gymnastics will improve blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms, and stabilize the psychological state. You can perform head and torso rotations. If you do exercises with open and closed eyes, the vestibular apparatus will be additionally strengthened.

Simple complexes for balance, swimming, any other feasible loads are welcome.

Prevention of dizziness

To reduce the frequency of seizures and prevent their occurrence, it is recommended to follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle:

• giving up bad habits: smoking and drinking alcohol;
• exclusion from the diet of salty, spicy, smoked, fatty foods;
• limited consumption of sweets and caffeine;
• daily morning exercises, physical activity;
• regular walks in the fresh air;
• fractional proper nutrition with plenty of vegetables, fruits rich in vitamins;
• sleep on orthopedic mattresses and pillows if there are problems with the spine.