Dizziness is a term used to describe a range of sensations, such as feeling faint, woozy, weak or unsteady. Dizziness that creates the false sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving is called vertigo.
Dizziness is one of the more common reasons adults visit their doctors. Frequent dizzy spells or constant dizziness can significantly affect your life. But dizziness rarely signals a life-threatening condition.
Treatment of dizziness depends on the cause and your symptoms. It's usually effective, but the problem may recur.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
People experiencing dizziness may describe it as any of a number of sensations, such as:
These feelings may be triggered or worsened by walking, standing up or moving your head. Your dizziness may accompanied by nausea or be so sudden or severe that you need to sit or lie down. The episode may last seconds or days and may recur.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical help if you experience dizziness with:
Consult with your doctor if you experience recurrent, sudden, severe dizziness or prolonged episodes of dizziness, faintness, lightheadedness or vertigo.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Dizziness has many possible causes, including inner ear disturbance, motion sickness and medication effects. Sometimes it's caused by an underlying health condition, such as poor circulation, infection or injury.
The way dizziness makes you feel and your triggers provide clues for possible causes. How long the dizziness lasts and any other symptoms you have also help pinpoint the cause.
Your sense of balance depends on the combined input from the various parts of your sensory system. These include your:
Vertigo is the false sense that your surroundings are spinning or moving. With inner ear disorders, your brain receives signals from the inner ear that aren't consistent with what your eyes and sensory nerves are receiving. Vertigo is what results as your brain works to sort out the confusion.
You may feel dizzy, faint or off balance if your heart isn't pumping enough blood to your brain. Causes include:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
If your doctor suspects you're having or may have had a stroke, are older or suffered a blow to the head, he or she may immediately order an MRI or CT scan.
Most people visiting their doctor because of dizziness will first be asked about their symptoms and medications and then be given a physical examination. During this exam, your doctor will check how you walk and maintain your balance and how the major nerves of your central nervous system are working.
You may also need a hearing test and balance tests, including:
In addition, you may be given blood tests to check for infection and other tests to check heart and blood vessel health.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Dizziness can increase your risk of falling and injuring yourself. Experiencing dizziness while driving a car or operating heavy machinery can increase the likelihood of an accident. You may also experience long-term consequences if an existing health condition that may be causing your dizziness goes untreated.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Dizziness usually goes away on its own. If you tend to experience repeated episodes of dizziness, consider these tips:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Factors that may increase your risk of getting dizzy include:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
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