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What causes and what to do in case of dizziness.
Dizziness is a symptom of any change in the body, which does not always indicate a serious
condition or condition, and most often occurs in a condition known as labyrinthitis, but
may also indicate changes in balance, lowering of blood pressure, changes in function of
the heart or side effect of medications.
It is more common that dizziness develops in the elderly, however, also occurs in young
people, and may arise in different situations depending on the cause, such as lying down,
common in labyrinthitis, rising, arising from pressure drops, or do some physical exertion,
which happens in heart or pressure problems.
When repeated episodes of dizziness occur, it is recommended to schedule a consultation
with the general practitioner or family physician to investigate the possible causes, however,
if the dizziness is very strong or prolonged, for more than 1 hour, it is recommended to
go to first aid for faster assessment and treatment.
Main causes of dizziness.
There are several forms of dizziness, which may appear alone or accompanied by other symptoms
such as nausea, weakness in the legs, headache or "empty head" feeling. The main causes are:
1. Vertigo or Labirintite.
Labyrinthitis is the most common cause of dizziness, it is the type of dizziness that
gives the feeling that everything is spinning around, which can be accompanied by nausea
and tinnitus, and usually happens by changes in the ear. Vertigo tends to cause dizziness
even when lying down, and it is common for it to be triggered with head movements, such
as turning the side of the bed or looking sideways.
What to do : The treatment for benign paroxysmal vertigo is done by the otorrino, who can do
some repositioning maneuvers of the otoliths, called the Epley maneuver, in addition to
recommending the use of drugs such as Betaine, in daily use, and Dramin in the crises In
addition, it is recommended to observe the presence of wax stoppers in the ear, in addition
to avoiding stress and consumption of caffeine, sugar and cigarette, which are situations
that may worsen the dizziness crisis.
Other less common vertigo conditions are labyrinthitis caused by inflammation or ear infections,
vestibular neuritis, and Meniere's disease, for example.
2. Imbalance.
The feeling of imbalance is another important cause of dizziness, and it happens by causing
the sensation of being staggering or with loss of the balance. This can cause constant
dizziness and usually occurs in the elderly or in situations of:
Vision changes , such as cataracts, glaucoma, myopia, or farsightedness;
Neurological diseases , such as Parkinson's, stroke, brain tumor or Alzheimer's, for example;
Bump on the head , which can cause temporary or permanent injuries in the brain region
that regulates the balance ; Loss of sensation in the feet and legs caused
by diabetes; Consumption of alcohol or drugs , which alter
the perception and ability of the brain to function;
Use of medicines that can alter balance, such as Diazepam, Clonazepam, Fernobarbital, FenoĆna
and Metoclopramida, for example.
What to do; In order to treat the imbalance, it is necessary to resolve its cause, with
the appropriate treatment of the vision with the ophthalmologist or of the neurological
disease with the neurologist. It is also important to consult with the geriatrician or general
practitioner so that adjustments of the medication are made according to the condition and need
of each person.
3. Pressure drop.
Dizziness that occurs from cardiac and circulation changes is called pre-syncope or orthostatic
hypotension, and arises when pressure falls and blood is not pumped properly into the
brain, causing the sensation of fainting or dimming and the appearance of bright spots
in vision.
This type of dizziness can arise when you wake up, get up, during an exercise, or even
suddenly when you are standing still. The main causes are:
Sudden pressure drop , called orthostatic hypotension, and arises from a defect in pressure
adjustment, which is usually not severe, and is due to changes in posture, such as getting
up from a bed or a chair; Heart problems , such as arrhythmias or heart
failure, that make it difficult for blood to flow through the circulation;
Use of some medicines that cause pressure drops , such as diuretics, nitrate, methyldopa,
clonidine, levodopa and amitriptyline, for example, mainly in the elderly;
Pregnancy as it is a period in which there are changes in circulation and there may be
decrease in blood pressure due to the weight of the uterus on the blood vessels.
Other conditions, such as anemia and hypoglycaemia, while not causing a drop in blood pressure,
alter the blood's ability to carry oxygen and nutrients to brain cells, and can cause
dizziness.
What to do; The treatment for this type of dizziness also depends on the resolution of
your cause, which can be done with a cardiologist, geriatrician or general practitioner, who
can do the research with the necessary exams and adjustments.
4. Anxiety.
Psychological changes such as depression and anxiety cause dizziness as they trigger the
panic syndrome and changes in breathing. These situations cause a dizziness that is usually
accompanied by shortness of breath, tremors and tingling in the extremities such as hands,
feet and mouth.
This type of dizziness can also happen repeatedly, and it comes in periods of increased stress.
What to do; treat anxiety, psychotherapy, and, if necessary, antidepressant or anxiolytic
medications as prescribed by the psychiatrist.