Dizziness: Causes and Symptoms

Dizziness itself is not a disease or disorder, but rather a symptom associated with various disorders. While there are several symptoms of dizziness, some of them are minor and temporary. Others, however, need to be taken very seriously and you will need to get to your nearest Complete Care emergency medical center as quickly as possible.

Here are some of the reasons that dizziness occurs, and warning signs that you need to see a doctor immediately.

Common Symptoms of Dizziness

Symptoms of dizziness include:

• Feeling lightheaded
• Loss of balance
• Spinning sensation
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Headache

When you talk to your doctor, it is very important that you describe the sensations you are experiencing as accurately as possible so the proper diagnosis can be made.

Common Causes of Dizziness

Dizziness could result from something as simple as motion sickness or a complex issue such as an inner ear problem. In some instances, it can be a sign of an extremely serious disorder affecting the heart or blood vessels.

These are just some of the reasons dizziness occurs.

Heart Attack: The symptoms of dizziness can occur due to a reduction of blood flow to the brain, which could be a sign of a heart attack.

If you experience sudden loss of consciousness, this usually means the blood supply to the brain is dramatically reduced. Should you or a loved one faint or lose consciousness, medical attention should be called for immediately.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia): Without sufficient blood sugar, every system in the body, including the brain, goes into reservation mode. This is the body’s way of using as little energy as possible and may make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

In some cases, drinking some juice will relieve symptoms, but it’s best to get your blood sugar levels checked as soon as possible.

Motion Sickness: Many people experience some form of motion sickness while traveling by car, boat, plane or train. In this case, dizziness is a sign that your body’s sensory organs are sending mixed messages to your brain.

This confusion can cause people to feel not only dizziness but lightheadedness and nausea as well. If you know you’re prone to motion sickness, you can try to prevent symptoms by taking prescription or over-the-counter medication.

Hypotension: Hypotension is low blood pressure. Typically, low blood pressure is considered preferable to high blood pressure, but if it dips too low, it can make you feel tired or dizzy. In these cases, hypotension can be a sign of an underlying condition.

Hypotension can be the result of:

• Extreme blood loss
• A bloodstream infection
• Diabetes or other endocrine disorders
• Anaphylactic shock

Dehydration: Without enough fluids in the body, your blood can decrease in volume. This lowers your blood pressure and can prevent your brain from getting enough blood, making you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

A glass of water may be enough to help, but if you haven’t been eating or drinking enough for a few days, it will take more than that to rehydrate. In severe cases, you may need to visit your doctor for an intravenous fluid infusion.

Some other reasons dizziness occurs include:

• Ear infection
• Heart arrhythmia
• Medications such as antidepressants, sedatives, etc.
• Anemia
• Concussion
• Migraines

When to See a Doctor

Dizziness will usually clear up on its own after a short time. If you experience a dizzy spell, avoid tobacco and caffeine and either sit or lie down until it goes away. If the spell is accompanied by hearing loss, a severe headache, nausea or vomiting, get in touch with your doctor.

If you are experiencing shortness of breath, any sort of change in speech or vision, limb weakness or chest pain, have someone take you to the nearest emergency medical center as soon as possible.

24-Hour Emergency Room Services in Colorado Springs and Texas

Dizziness isn’t a symptom you should brush off, as it could be the sign of a more serious condition. If you have questions or need immediate treatment, your nearest Complete Care location is ready to help, no matter the time of day or night. We offer a variety of services to help you and your family in your time of need.

Visit us online to find the Complete Care location nearest you.