Headaches and Dizziness: What’s the Connection?

The Difference Between Dizziness, Lightheadedness, and Vertigo

“Dizziness could either be a sensation of feeling lightheaded and unsteady, or a sensation of abnormal movement of your body,” says Roderick Spears, MD, a neurologist and headache specialist at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.

“Vertigo, on the other hand, is a spinning sensation of your body, or the perception of the environment around you moving when you’re not actually moving,” Dr. Spears says.

“Lightheadedness would be associated with low blood pressure, lack of blood flow, or lack of blood flow reaching the brain,” says Spears.

When you’re lightheaded, you may feel as though you’re going to pass out; the body wants you to get into a lying-down position so you can get adequate blood flow to the brain, he explains.

RELATED: 10 Surprising Facts About Dizziness and Vertigo

Pay Attention to When Your Dizziness and Headaches Occur

If you’ve been experiencing bouts of dizziness, make note of when it occurs or gets worse. For example, does it occur when you get up suddenly from sitting or lying positions?

If anything improves your dizziness, keep track of that, too.

Be sure to tell your doctor if there are any other symptoms that accompany the dizziness, such as a headache or changes to your hearing or vision, says Spears.

You’ll also want to inform your doctor of any other health conditions you may have, such as diabetes or pregnancy, which can trigger these symptoms. Low blood pressure is another possible cause of dizziness or lightheadedness.

Potential Causes of Headache and Dizziness

There can be a range of reasons that headache and dizziness can coexist; some are easily remedied, while in rare cases the symptoms could indicate a medical emergency.

Migraine

Dizziness or vertigo with a headache may be a sign of vestibular migraine and can occur in any of the phases of a migraine, according to the American Migraine Foundation. The word “vestibular” is used to describe the inner ear and a person’s sense of balance.

Dizziness is a common symptom of migraine, says Loretta Mueller, DO, a headache specialist at Cooper University Health Care in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. “When people complain of dizziness, it’s migraine related about 50 percent of the time,” she says.

If the headache and dizziness have additional symptoms such as nausea, light sensitivity, or sound sensitivity, then it may be migraine, says Spears.

“One thing that seems specific for vestibular migraine is brain fog. People will often describe a sensation of cognitive clouding, or brain fog, around the time they have these episodes, and it can persist outside of it as well,” he says.

Interestingly, vestibular migraine doesn’t always come with a headache. If it does, often the headache is not very severe, says Spears. “Most of the patients I see with vestibular migraine are more concerned with the dizziness or vertigo than they are with head pain,” he says.

Trauma to the Head

It’s common for people who experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to have headache, says Spears. “If you have a genetic predisposition for migraine, there’s a greater chance of that post-traumatic headache presenting as a migraine headache,” he says.

These post-trauma headaches can often come with dizziness. It’s estimated that 30 to 65 percent of people with TBI report balance issues that include dizziness and disequilibrium during their recovery, according to the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.

In some cases, a head trauma, ear trauma, or sudden change in barometric pressure can cause a perilymph fistula, which is when one of the fluids in the inner ear leaks into the air-filled middle ear. This can cause headaches as well as bouts of unsteadiness, dizziness, nausea, hearing loss, and tinnitus, according to the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA). Tinnitus is most often described as a ringing in the ears, but it can also be experienced as roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing.

Whiplash or trauma to the neck area can cause cervical vertigo, which can happen when receptors in the neck that send signals to the inner ear for balance stop working normally. Sudden neck movements can trigger dizziness; other symptoms of cervical vertigo include headache, neck pain, nausea, vomiting, and hearing issues, according to the American Hearing Research Foundation.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

In this disorder, dizziness may occur, but it’s more likely to feel like vertigo, says Dr. Mueller. It can happen when the little crystals in the semicircles of the ear, called otoconia, become dislodged.

“This can bring on the symptoms of vertigo. When people have BPPV, it’s positional vertigo — the spinning feeling happens when you move your head or turn over in bed, she explains.

Headache is common in people with BPPV. Research published in the Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology found that about one-third of people with BPPV reported headache.

RELATED: Causes and Risk Factors for Vertigo

Low Blood Sugar

Another possible cause of both headaches and dizziness is low blood sugar, which is also called hypoglycemia. This is most likely to occur several hours after your last meal or if you do a lot of exercise without eating enough.

Eating small, frequent meals should help stave off these symptoms.

If you have diabetes, low blood sugar can also be brought on by taking too much insulin or other diabetes medication, drinking alcohol, delaying or skipping meals, and increasing your exercise or physical activity without adjusting your medication or food intake.

Low blood sugar is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as hunger, sweating, and trembling, according to the University of Michigan Health Library.

RELATED: 10 Warning Signs of Low Blood Sugar

Migrainous Stroke

If dizziness occurs very suddenly with a headache, it could be a migrainous stroke, which is when an ischemic stroke happens at the same time as a migraine attack.

An ischemic stroke is when the vessels supplying blood to the brain are obstructed. Although about seven out of eight strokes are ischemic, migrainous strokes are very rare and account for less than 1 percent of all strokes, according to Cedars Sinai Health System in Los Angeles.

In a migrainous stroke, the migraine symptoms must include an aura, which can be visual changes or tingling in the face or hands.

Stroke symptoms come on very suddenly and may include numbness or weakness of the face (especially on one side of the body), confusion, trouble speaking or seeing, trouble walking, dizziness and loss of balance or coordination, and severe headache with no known cause.

If you have any signs of a stroke, you should call 911 — or get someone else to call — and seek urgent medical attention.

RELATED: What You Need to Know About Migraine and Stroke

Diagnosing Headache and Dizziness

Because there are so many ways to describe the sensation of dizziness — and so many potential causes — you and your doctor may need to spend some time discussing your health to get to the root of the problem.

Diagnosing and treating the headache is typically easier than treating the dizziness, says Spears.

“Vestibular migraine is a diagnosis of exclusion,” he says. That means that other conditions that may be causing the dizziness must be ruled out first.

If a person is experiencing dizziness, they should speak with their doctor; a medical workup may be necessary, says Spears. “Depending on their age, that may involve a brain MRI to rule out a stroke, or they may be referred to an ear, nose, and throat doctor to make sure it’s not a vestibular disorder,” he says.

Treating Headache and Dizziness

Once those things have been ruled out, it’s reasonable for you to see a neurologist or headache specialist for headache treatment and to investigate the possibility that you may have vestibular migraine, says Spears.

Treatments for headache or migraine may include:

For dizziness accompanied by nausea, an over-the-counter antihistamine medication such as dimenhydrinate or Bonine (meclizine) might help, although they may cause drowsiness, according to the Mayo Clinic.

If your dizziness or vertigo is related to an underlying health condition, such as low blood pressure, you may need other treatments. Dizziness triggered by movement may be best addressed through vestibular rehabilitation therapy, an exercise-based program designed to reduce dizziness and imbalance.

RELATED: Is It Time to See a Neurologist for Your Headaches?

Additional reporting by Madeline R. Vann, MPH.

Occasional Dizziness is a Common Problem | MUSC Health

Common But Not Life-Threatening

A Seabrooker complained to me recently that he had started feeling dizzy from time to time. This is a common problem among older people. In fact, the incidence in the medical literature ranges from about 10 to 40 percent of people over 65. The definition of chronic dizziness is repeated (over at least 1 month) episodes of feeling dizzy, light-headed, faint, spinning or unsteadiness. When describing the dizziness a number of sensations are reported alone or in combination – see table 1. Among those who have chronic dizziness, it most commonly lasts either less than a minute (33 percent of people) or under 2 hours (40 percent.) About a third of people with chronic dizziness have daily bouts and the rest have only occasional episodes during a month.

Causes & Associations

A team of geriatric physicians at Yale University have actively investigated dizziness and even have proposed that it is “Geriatric Syndrome” that can be caused by many different things. There are a host of medical diseases which can produce dizziness – these include neurological entities related to brain blood flow like carotid artery or other cerebrovascular diseases and even heart problems such as aortic valve stenosis or congestive heart failure. There are other neurologic diseases such as Parkinson’s, alcoholism and psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety can be associated with dizziness. Other medical problems like diabetes can cause dizziness, especially when blood glucose is low. A certain number of episodes are related to medications and combinations of medications. If you read your medication labels you will often find dizziness listed as a side effect and some of the medications cause orthostatic hypotension (a condition in which standing causes the blood pressure to decrease) which easily explains dizziness by the mechanism of reduced blood supply to the brain. 

A number of activities can also precipitate dizziness such as strenuous exercise with resultant dehydration – something that we at Seabrook can do in the summer if we are not careful about drinking plenty of fluids. Also, changes is position are commonly reported as precipitating events. Most people (74 percent) say their dizziness is provoked by several activities that tend to be related to motion. Some of the common activities reported by people who chronically experience dizziness are listed in table 2. What we do not know is whether anything can be done to reduce these triggering events such as getting up more gradually – this is preventive if the cause is postural hypotension, but postural hypotension is not the usual cause.

Consequences- Good News, Bad News

The Yale group has reported some mixed news about dizziness. The good news is that when patients with chronic dizziness have been followed for a year, they do not have a higher mortality, heart attack rate, higher stroke or even higher hospitalization rate. All this means that dizziness does not seem to have an ominous health impact. Does this mean that those who do suffer this common chronic problem just need to forget it or ignore it? No, the bad news is that in the surveys used to follow these people there is an increased incidence of falls and fainting. They also have more problems with depressive symptoms, feelings of good health, and less social interactions. The discerning reader will say, well these are all inter-related problems and that is true. In fact, there is a very mysterious relationship between dizziness and depression and anti-depressant medicines which is yet to be solved, but which clearly affects the function of someone with chronic dizziness.

What can be done about this if you are one of the many people who have bouts of dizziness? As a physician we always advise trying to figure out if the symptom (dizziness) is an expression of a correctable or controllable disease, and certainly one needs to go over the medications one is taking with your doctor to be sure that these are not the cause. Common sense would dictate that to prevent falls one should try to learn what activities do precipitate the spells and avoid them or limit the rapidity of executing them. Finally, use of hand-rails and other supports when dizziness occurs might reduce the risk of falls. If one suspects the dizziness is a result of depression, then this should be mentioned to your doctor since this is often treatable. The best advice I had for my Seabrook friend was to try to learn when to expect dizziness and take precautions to not allow a fall. It is little consolation that this is a very common problem, but some that it is probably not likely to have very serious medical consequences.

Table 1. Dizziness Sensations

Dizziness Sensation Description – Percent (%)

Loss of Balance (Disequilibrium, Unsteadiness) – 59%

• Only Sensation – 22%
• Plus Other Sensations – 37%

Spinning (Vertigo, Perception of Movement) – 33%

• Only Sensation- 10%
• Plus Other Sensations – 24%

Near Faint (like passing out) – 42%

• Only Sensation – 12%
• Plus Other Sensations – 30%

Sensations described by patients 72 years of age or older with dizziness as a percent of all with chronic dizziness.
From Tinetti in Annals of Internal Medicine, March 7, 2000.

Table 2. Activities Most Often Associated with Dizziness

Activity – Percent (%)

Getting Up From Lying Down – 54%
Turning Head – 41%
Turning Body – 38%
Getting Up From Sitting – 31%
When Upset – 31%
Walking – 26%
Head in Specific Position – 21%
Standing Still – 16%

 Actions  described by patients 72 years of age or older with dizziness as a percent of causes of their dizziness.  

Note that many people report many activities and this explains why the addition of activities results is more than 100 percent. From Tinetti in Annals of Internal Medicine, March 7, 2000.

Common Causes

Lightheadedness happens when there is not enough blood getting to the brain. This can happen if there is a sudden drop in your blood pressure or you are dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or other causes. Many people, especially as they get older, experience lightheadedness if they get up too quickly from a lying or seated position. Lightheadedness often accompanies the flu, common cold, or allergies.
More serious conditions that can lead to lightheadedness include heart problems (such as abnormal heart rhythm or heart attack), stroke, and severe drop in blood pressure (shock). If any of these serious disorders is present, you will usually have additional symptoms like chest pain, a feeling of a racing heart, loss of speech, change in vision, or other symptoms.

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Dizziness Linked to COVID-19 | ENT of Georgia North

Coronavirus arrived to the U.S. in January, so there’s a lot we don’t know about it. One thing research published in Annals of Neurology has found is that COVID-19 affects the nervous system and can cause a number of neurological symptoms, including dizziness.

The authors report that, “Initially thought to be restricted to the respiratory system, we now understand that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) also involves multiple other organs, including the central and peripheral nervous system. The number of recognized neurologic manifestations of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is rapidly accumulating.”

Symptoms of COVID-19

The CDC reports the following symptoms for COVID-19, although it is not meant to be an exhaustive list:

Loss of taste and smell are considered neurological symptoms, according to the recent research; others researchers have associated with coronavirus include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Seizures
• Strokes
• Weakness
• Dizziness

The authors note that those infected may experience these neurological symptoms before more common symptoms like fever, cough and respiratory issues.

What if My Only Symptom Is Dizziness?

If you are feeling dizzy, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to rush off to get a COVID test. You should first ask yourself whether or not feeling dizzy is unusual for you.

If you’re prone to dizzy spells, especially when dehydrated or after standing up quickly, you probably don’t need to worry, as long as you have no other symptoms. Dizziness is a symptom of several different ear conditions. You should take care to drink plenty of fluids and evaluate whether symptoms persist.

Sheri Dewan, M.S., M.D., neurosurgeon at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital suggests, “If symptoms have dramatically changed in caliber—meaning frequency, length, occurring at different times of the day, trying normal treatments without resolve—then you should contact a physician, for imaging may be needed.”

Allen Towfigh, M.D., medical director of New York Neurology & Sleep Medicine also reports that “Dizziness caused by COVID-19 will likely be accompanied by other signs or symptoms to suggest a COVID-19 infection, such as fevers, respiratory illness, or cough. ”

If you’re experiencing ongoing dizziness and have ruled out COVID as the underlying cause, schedule an appointment with a local Otolaryngologist.

Dizziness and COVID-19

Coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19 is a novel entity which had led to many challenges among physicians due to its rapidly evolving nature. Vertigo or dizziness has recently been described as a clinical manifestation of COVID-19. Countless studies, emerging daily from various parts of the world, have revealed dizziness as one of the main clinical manifestation of COVID-19. This is not surprising as dizziness has historically been associated with viral infections.

An earlier published study from China found dizziness to be the most common neurological manifestation of COVID-19.¹ Dizziness was proposed to occur ensuing the neuroinvasive potential of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19. Baig et al postulated that the virus enters the neural tissue from circulation and binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors found in the capillary endothelium. ² Apart from that, direct invasion, hypoxia, hypercoagulopathy, as well as immune-mediated insult were among the postulated mechanism of neuroinvasion leading to dizziness.³

A literature search was performed using articles published in PubMed on August 1, 2020, to identify dizziness as a clinical manifestation of COVID-19. The keywords used for the article search include giddiness, dizziness, vertigo, COVID-19, SARS CoV 2, Coronavirus disease. To our knowledge, this is the first article that outlines the association between dizziness and COVID-19.

We obtained 14 articles, which include 3 case reports and 11 studies (). A total of 141 patients were pooled from this review. All patients included in this review had dizziness/vertigo as a presenting symptom. Dizziness was the initial presentation of COVID-19 in 3/141 patients (2.13%),^9,11,13 whereby in 2 of these patients, dizziness was later followed by respiratory symptoms.^9,13 Most of the studies reporting on dizziness as a clinical manifestation hails from China (11/14), the epicenter which gave rise to the pandemic. Of the 14 studies included, dizziness was specifically investigated and treated only in 2 studies^9,11 as dizziness was not the highlight in most studies, it was not investigated and described thoroughly. Additionally, the outcome of dizziness was mentioned only in 1 study by Malayala et al,¹¹ whereby vestibular rehabilitation was carried out for the patient successfully.

Table 1.

Summary of Characteristics and Main Findings of COVID-19 Patients With Dizziness.

Author	Country	Study design	Total patients with dizziness (%)	Investigation for dizziness	Treatment for dizziness	Outcome of dizziness
Chen et al4	China	CS	29 (20)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Chen et al5	China	CS	21 (8)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Han et al6	China	CR	1	N/A	N/A	N/A
Hu et al7	China	CS	1 (4. 16)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Karadas et al8	Turkey	CS	16 (16.7)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Kong et al9	China	CR	1	Electronystagmography, Pure tone, MRI brain	Betahistine, Danshenchuandomazine	N/A
Lo et al10	China	CS	2 (20)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Malayala et al11	United States	CR	1 (Vestibular neuritis)	Bedside neurological examination, CT brain	Meclizine, Benzodiazepine, Steroids, Vestibular rehabilitation	Resolve
Mao et al1	China	CS	36 (16. 8)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mi et al12	China	CS	3 (30)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Sia et al13	Canada	CR	1 (Isolated)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Vacchiano et al14	Italy	CS	11 (10)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Wang et al15	China	CS	13 (9)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Wang et al16	China	CS	5 (7)	N/A	N/A	N/A

Dizziness, albeit a nonspecific COVID-19 symptom, requires thorough investigation notably to determine its leading cause including, acute labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, acute otitis media, or secondary to stroke following COVID-19.

We would like to emphasize that dizziness should not be taken lightly as it has been proven to be a notable clinical manifestation among COVID-19 patients. Parallel to that, association with other audiovestibular manifestations such as hearing loss and tinnitus ought to be determined. Persistent dizziness posttreatment from COVID-19 requires referral to the Otorhinolaryngology Department for thorough examination and investigation. Additionally, we recommend vestibular rehabilitation therapy, which has revealed promising results, to be carried out for stable COVID-19 patients with dizziness. Lastly, it is imperative that attending physicians remain vigilant, especially when managing nonspecific symptoms such as dizziness, as it can be easily overlooked.

Lightheadedness – causes, treatment and prevention

On this page

What is lightheadedness?

Lightheadedness is different from dizziness. Dizziness is when you feel unbalanced and as if the room is spinning. Lightheadedness is when you feel like you might faint. Your body could feel heavy, you might feel nauseous and unsteady, and you may sweat. Your vision might also be affected.

Lightheadedness is often caused by a lack of blood in the brain. It can happen when you stand up from sitting or from lying down, or if you are dehydrated.

If you often feel lightheaded, while it’s probably nothing that is life-threatening, it can still affect your life. It’s therefore worth seeing your doctor to find out why you feel lightheaded.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use our dizziness and lightheadedness Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes lightheadedness?

The main causes of lightheadedness are:

Sometimes people feel lightheaded when they have vertigo, a sense that the room is spinning. This is normally caused by a condition in the inner ear.

When should I see my doctor?

See a doctor if your lightheadedness doesn’t go away after a week or if you are feeling nauseous and unwell. You should also seek help if your lightheadness causes you to injure yourself.

Call an ambulance on triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if you are very lightheaded and you also:

• have lost a lot of blood
• are numb and weak on one side
• feel pressure in your chest
• feel sick, cold and sweaty
• have trouble talking or are confused
• can’t breathe properly
• are vomiting

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How is lightheadedness treated?

You will usually feel better if you have a drink of water, eat something sugary and lie down. If they go to hospital, some people will need to take in fluids through an intravenous drip.

If your lightheadedness lasts for a long time and doesn’t go away, your doctor might look at any medicines you’re taking and prescribe diuretics, a low-salt diet, or medicines to treat the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Lightheadedness self-help

If you feel lightheaded, be careful that you don’t fall over and injure yourself. Sit or lie down until you feel better, and don’t drive a car or operate heavy machinery.

Can lightheadedness be prevented?

Make sure you drink enough water throughout the day and avoid getting too hot.

Cut back on caffeine, alcohol, salt and smoking since these can increase your chance of getting lightheadedness. Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and avoiding stress can also help.

9 causes of dizziness and blurred vision

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Dizziness and blurred vision can be triggered by various conditions, a reaction to medication and even stress. Whether symptoms are mild or severe, it is important to pinpoint what may have caused dizziness or blurry vision to occur.

Depending on the underlying cause, occurrences of blurred vision and dizziness are often accompanied by nausea, headache and light-headedness, among other symptoms. If blurred vision and dizziness are prolonged or other serious symptoms develop, contact a doctor.

Common causes of dizziness and blurred vision

Some triggers of dizziness and blurred vision are more serious than others. The following conditions may be to blame for experiencing both sensations: 

1. Anxiety and stress

When anxiety and stress become overwhelming, an anxiety attack or panic attack can ensue. Adrenaline levels increase during both of these events, which can cause physical symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision and tunnel vision (among other physical and emotional symptoms).

Managing stress and anxiety is the best way to cope with the physical effects they may bring. Consider stress relieving activities, breathing exercises or consulting a doctor for treating severe cases.

2. Medication

Some medications can have side effects, including dizzy spells, general dizziness and blurred vision. Reactions vary from person to person. Taking multiple medications at the same time or drinking alcohol with some medication can also enhance symptoms.

If you recently started taking a new medicine — whether prescribed or over-the-counter — report any concerns about side effects to a doctor, who may suggest an alternative treatment.

3. Alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption can have many effects on the body, including dizziness and blurred vision. When drinking alcohol, remember to eat enough food for your body to absorb the nutrients it needs, and to drink enough water to help keep your system hydrated and in balance. 

4. Low blood sugar

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is commonly associated with diabetes, though other circumstances like fasting and reactions to medication can trigger it as well. Low blood sugar can lead to a light-headed feeling, fatigue and hunger, as well as dizziness and blurred vision. 

Eating a snack or drinking a bit of juice can help relieve mild symptoms of low blood sugar, but if it becomes a recurring issue or other symptoms develop, contact a doctor.

5. Concussion or brain injury

Injuries to the brain range from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and can be caused by sporting accidents, car accidents, falls and more. Brain and head injuries can cause varying symptoms depending on the severity of the injury — blurred vision and dizziness are among these. 

Any head injury that causes distorted vision (not limited to blurred vision and dizziness) should be treated as an emergency and cared for at the ER or at an urgent care facility.

SEE RELATED: Symptoms of concussions & TBI symptoms

6. Migraine headache

A migraine is an intense type of headache that typically includes nausea and sensitivity to sound and light. In many cases, migraines can also cause dizziness and blurred vision. Migraines can last anywhere from four to 72 hours.

Some ways to help relieve a migraine headache include taking a pain reliever, resting in a dark and quiet room, applying a warm or cool compress and massaging your temples. If migraines occur more than a few times a month or resist treatment, advanced treatment from a doctor may be required.

SEE RELATED: Blurred vision and headaches

7. Vertigo and motion sickness

Vertigo is a sudden feeling of imbalance and spinning that occurs even while a person is sitting or standing still. Blurred vision often occurs with the dizziness of a vertigo spell. Some common causes of vertigo include dehydration, migraine headaches and sudden head movement. 

Motion sickness can be triggered by continuous movement in a variety of circumstances, including traveling in a car or standing next to a moving body of water. Motion sickness can have other uncomfortable feelings, such as nausea, dizziness and occasionally blurred vision.

8. Stroke

A stroke occurs when there is an interruption of the blood supply to the brain. There are many symptoms that can indicate a stroke, including trouble speaking, sudden onset headache and numbness or weakness on one side of the body or face. Symptoms can also include blurred vision and dizziness. 

Strokes require emergency care. Be sure to call 911 if you suspect that someone is having a stroke. 

SEE RELATED: Is double vision a sign of a stroke?

9. Vision conditions

Some visual dysfunctions can play a role in dizziness and blurred vision. This often occurs with vision conditions such as:

• Vertical imbalance: a considerable misalignment of the visual perception between each eye

• Anisometropia or antimetropia: a significant difference of vision prescriptions between each eye

• Binocular vision dysfunction: a condition where the eyes struggle to work together to deliver an image to the brain

Adjusting to a new eyeglasses or contacts prescription can also trigger mild dizziness and blurriness, but this should go away within a week or two of wear. Don’t hesitate to contact an eye doctor with vision concerns, whether mild or severe. 

READ NEXT: Sudden blurry vision

Page published in January 2021

Page updated in October 2021

Stroke

What is a stroke?

Stroke is a condition in which, for one reason or another, the blood flow to a certain part of the brain is disrupted. Blood circulation is impaired, food is not supplied to the cells, accordingly, the tissues begin to die off, and the person loses some of the functions for which this part of the brain was responsible. Speech, memory, vision, physical activity may be impaired.
A stroke can lead to disability and death.Therefore, it is very important to know the first causes of this terrible disease in order to prevent serious consequences if possible. Neurosurgeons say that the sooner medical assistance is provided (3, maximum 6 hours), the faster a person will recover, and the fewer functions will be lost.

Stroke can be hemorrhagic (hemorrhage as a result of a ruptured cerebral vessel) or ischemic (blockage of the vessel by a thrombus). Regardless of the type of stroke, its symptoms will be the same.

Stroke signs

Early signs of a stroke may include: headaches, dizziness, weakness. Then nausea and vomiting may appear.
All this can be accompanied by a rare pulse, speech impairment, impaired sensitivity, impaired movement, facial flushing, sweating, and a feeling of numbness in the extremities.

If you suspect a person with a stroke, then ask him to make a series of movements, as a result of which you can more likely understand about the possible onset of the disease:

1.Ask victim to smile . With a stroke, the smile will be one-sided, the other side of the face does not seem to obey the person.

2. Ask victim to say a few words . Speech may sound drunk. The language is braided, it is impossible to make out the words.

3. Ask to raise his hands. The victim will find it difficult to raise their arms to the same height.

4. Ask the victim to stick out his tongue .It will sink to one side.

Signs indicating a severe case of the disease: loss of consciousness, cessation of breathing, a sharp decrease in pressure, cardiac arrest, lack of understanding of addressed speech, paralysis of the limbs.

If you suspect a stroke, you need to urgently call an ambulance. Do not try to treat a stroke on your own , do not waste time. The thing is that the prognosis of the disease depends, among other things, on the speed of delivery of the patient to the hospital.The sooner treatment is started, the less the consequences will be.

Stroke most often occurs after 50 years, but recently he has become very “younger”. About 20% of patients with primary stroke die within a year. Therefore, this disease is easier to prevent than to cure.

Prevention

• It is necessary to quit smoking and drinking alcohol, which increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

• Certain medications should be used with caution by those at risk.For example, oral contraceptives containing estrogen (the risk increases when oral contraceptives are used by women who smoke and have high blood pressure).

• It is necessary to monitor the level of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is the culprit for the formation of vascular atherosclerosis, which, in turn, can be the cause of cerebral stroke.

• Blood pressure should be monitored.People suffering from hypertension need to measure their blood pressure twice a day. And, if it is elevated, take appropriate medications to lower it. Unbelievable, but true – blood pressure control can reduce the number of strokes by 43-45%.

• One of the reasons for the development of cardiovascular diseases is low activity, a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, it is necessary to move more, do exercises.Start going to the pool, do Nordic walking, just go for a walk in the fresh air. All this will lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels, and remove excess weight.

• The risk of developing a stroke is increased in people with diabetes. Follow a diet, take medications recommended by your doctor.

• At least once in your life, closer to the age of 50, undergo an MRI scan of the vessels of the brain.The study will show the presence or absence of aneurysm, vascular malformations, the degree of vascular lesions.

Stroke treatment

Stroke is a serious illness, nevertheless, treatment exists, and a person’s chances of living a full life are high enough.

The main therapeutic measures are carried out in a hospital (drug treatment, surgical treatment). The patient is discharged, but he still has a long way of rehabilitation. Of course, it all depends on the severity of the disease.With a micro stroke, recovery takes from several weeks to several months. If during an attack many functions of the body were lost, then recovery and rehabilitation will take a very long time. Adaptation depends on the individual characteristics of the organism.

The most important thing is that the earlier you start rehabilitation (within the first year after a stroke), the more chances you have to return to a full life. . It is desirable to involve specialists in the field of neurology, massage, physiotherapy, manual therapy, acupuncture, physiotherapy specialists, speech therapists, psychologists, nutritionists and others in rehabilitation.

The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of stroke

In the diagnosis of stroke, MRI tomography takes the leading place. The study allows you to clearly define the diagnosis in just a few minutes after the onset of the stroke. Therefore, MRI is the first study that is done to patients upon admission to a hospital with suspected stroke.

The smallest disturbances of the brain are visible on the MRI image.

1. vascular occlusion,
2. changes in the vascular bed,
3. aneurysms (which can cause stroke),
4. necrosis of brain tissue,
5. cerebral hemorrhage,
6. hematomas resulting from limited blood accumulation as a result of rupture of blood vessels,
7. cerebral edema.

Therefore, MRI is indicated at all stages of the disease.

The MRI image clearly shows a stroke in the right middle cerebral artery.

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90,000 Treatment of headaches and dizziness in Astrakhan.

Almost every third person experiences headaches and dizziness . There may be many reasons for this, but it is best to contact the neurologist when these symptoms appear to prevent dangerous consequences.

Frequent stress, physical and mental overload, intoxication, a sedentary lifestyle, vascular pathology – these are just some of the reasons that can lead to the development of various neurological diseases. As statistics show, people over 35 are more likely to suffer from disorders of the nervous system. However, in recent years, there has been a tendency to “rejuvenate” this pathology.

Headache

If has a headache , you should not hesitate to go to neurologist (neurologist) .Many do not attach much importance to this symptom, which leads to severe complications. Headache may be accompanied by increased drowsiness . In addition to vascular disorders, inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, sinusitis, and a brain tumor can be the cause of headaches. These diseases require treatment.

Dizziness

Dizziness is another symptom that requires immediate medical attention. It can be accompanied by weakness , sleep disturbance and even partial memory loss.It is important to know that by timely referral to a specialist, you protect yourself from long and expensive treatment.

Neuritis

Of all neuritis, trigeminal neuritis and neuritis of the facial nerve are more likely to lead to headaches. The treatment of these neuritis is the competence of a neurologist. Self-medication can lead to irreversible processes associated with impaired sensitivity and the work of facial muscles.

That is why you need to consult a doctor at the first signs of the disease, because any disease is easier to cure in the early stages.

Autonomic dysfunction

Autonomic dysfunction (autonomic dysfunction) is a complex of symptoms, manifested by a rapid heartbeat, expressed 90 140 sweating , and possibly 90 140 fainting . Sometimes there is nausea, chills and tremors in the limbs. If treatment is not started on time, these disorders can lead to more formidable complications.

Physician neurologist will conduct an examination and, if necessary, send for additional examination (ultrasound, MRI, etc.) for diagnosis and treatment.

In Astrakhan, a neurologist conducts consultations and treatment at the OPTIMED Medical Center. Registration by phone +7 (8512) 34-91-81

90,000 treatment in Moscow, diagnosis and symptoms

Most patients who have had a new coronavirus infection recover completely within a few weeks. However, some people continue to experience symptoms after the initial recovery for a long time.

The complex of symptoms that persist after the postponed coronavirus infection is called postcoid syndrome.

Symptoms of the postcoid syndrome

Most common signs and symptoms that persist over time include the following:

• Fatigue is the most common symptom. Patients complain about the inability to perform everyday household and work tasks due to increased fatigue. Sleep, rest do not bring the desired effect;
• Loss of smell, taste, odor distortion are indicator symptoms of a new coronavirus infection.During the acute period of the disease, many patients complain of a lack of smell and taste. In the recovery period, patients often notice a distortion in the perception of odors, in rare cases – a change in food habits in connection with this violation.
• Headaches. Patients complain of increased headaches, one- or two-sided sensation of tension in the forehead, temples, occiput;
• Dizziness. A frequent symptom in patients with postcoid syndrome, accompanied by the flickering of flies before the eyes, dimness in the eyes, light-headedness;
• Muscle and joint pain.Decrease in physical activity due to the development of pulling pain in the muscles, painful sensations in the joints and spine, aches in the whole body;
• Sleep disturbance, which is manifested by difficulty falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings;
• Loss of memory, decreased concentration of attention characterize the cognitive disorders of the postvoid syndrome;
• Anxiety Disorders. Patients complain of first-time panic attacks – episodes of unmotivated paroxysmal anxiety.Panic attacks are characterized by a sense of impending danger, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, increased sweating, digestive disorders, numbness and tingling throughout the body.
• Emotional lability. Patients note frequent mood swings in a wide range, dependence of mood on minor reasons.

Causes of the development of symptoms of post-coccygeal syndrome 90 150

Currently, several theories of the development of postcoid syndrome are being researched.

Presumably, postcoid syndrome is caused by the following pathophysiological mechanisms:

• Prolonged inflammatory response in brain structures;
• Low blood flow to the structures of the brain due to increased blood viscosity, autonomic disorders;
• Perversion of the autoimmune reaction, which is manifested by the production of antibodies that attack organs and tissues;
• Disruption and lengthening of the synthesis of energy molecules to meet the energy needs of the brain and internal organs.

Therapy of post-lobe syndrome at the Federal Research Center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of the Russian Federation

Over the course of 10 months, our center was redesigned to provide medical care to patients with a new coronavirus infection. During this time, the doctors of our center have acquired significant clinical experience, knowledge in the treatment of the disease and the prevention of complications.

If you have undergone a new coronavirus infection and notice the above symptoms of varying intensity, you should immediately seek medical help in order to correct your condition.Postcoid syndrome tends to progress, therefore, it is important to carry out complete, optimal treatment in a timely manner.

At the reception at our center, a neurologist will ask you questions about your health status, the presence of chronic diseases, taking medications. Based on complaints, examination, a neurologist will prescribe a set of laboratory and instrumental diagnostic procedures that will clarify the nature of the violation.

The neurologist will then prescribe the optimal treatment based on the individual needs of the patient.

Drug therapy may include the appointment of drugs that stimulate nerve conduction, improve microcirculation, neuroprotectors, vitamin-mineral complexes, anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants.

A positive effect was demonstrated by the appointment of physiotherapeutic procedures, reflexology sessions, massage, therapeutic exercises under the supervision of an exercise therapy instructor.

It should be noted that an interdisciplinary approach is important in the treatment of postcoid syndrome, therefore, at all stages of therapy, the patient is accompanied by consultations of a psychotherapist.Working with a psychotherapist is aimed at correcting cognitive and behavioral disorders, eliminating depression, panic attacks.

Rehabilitation measures on the basis of our center can be carried out in the conditions of a neurological hospital in the presence of indications and desire on the part of the patient.

The procedure for referral to hospitalization with postcoid syndrome

In addition to outpatient treatment in our Center, it is possible to prolong or rehabilitate those who have undergone COVID-19 and in a hospital.

General indications for hospitalization are:

• respiratory (cough, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, discomfort and chest pain)
• nonspecific (fever, general weakness, fatigue, palpitations, excessive sweating).

For hospitalization in a hospital, patients receive a referral at a full-time appointment with a specialist, where the necessary amount of additional examination and treatment is discussed with the patient, and an individual rehabilitation program is selected.

Also, hospitalization is possible after a telemedicine consultation, where a specialist can be asked all questions of interest, including about the length of stay and the possibilities of the rehabilitation program.

Hospitalization is possible on the day of treatment, if there is a negative PCR smear or through the observation department.