Dizziness is a broadly used word that describes sensations including feeling faint, lightheaded or unsteady. The same word is used when someone feels that they are experiencing spinning, balance difficulty, a feeling of swimming, floating or heavy-headedness. Dizziness is one of the most common complaints of persons going to their physician. Fifteen percent of the general population has some form of perceived dizziness.
The Body Systems Used in Balance
Three healthy body systems are necessary to maintain a normal sense of balance: the eyes, the vestibular system in the inner ear and the larger body’s sensory nerve system. The eyes give information to the brain about the space in which you are moving. The vestibular system sends information to the brain about forward and backward or up and down motion. The sensory system of the body sends the brain signals about your body as a whole and its movement and position in space.
Because there are so many different systems all over the body involved in providing a “normal” balancing experience, there is more chance that one of the areas may develop a problem. This being said, a large majority of causes of isolated dizziness are not life-threating.
Vertigo
Vertigo occurs when there is a dysfunction in the vestibular organ in the inner ear. Moving your head or holding your head in certain positions may trigger dizziness, nausea and vomiting. The intensity of the dizziness usually fades over time because your body adapts to the new signals going to the brain from that area. There are a few known causes of vertigo:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) causes intense vertigo after moving your head or rolling over in bed. BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo. It is caused by small crystal-like particles that escape the “mesh” area in the inner ear, causing the brain to receive signals that you are positioned differently than you actually are. The other two inputs to the brain argue with the vestibular system and you get the side effect of vertigo and nausea.
- Inflammation in the inner ear causes intense vertigo and trouble with balance and is called vestibular neuritis. If sudden hearing loss occurs at the same time, then it is called labyrinthitis. These usually resolve on their own, but medical treatment can help you feel more comfortable.
- Meniere’s disease is caused from excessive buildup of the normal fluids in the inner ear area. This disease needs to be managed by a physician to help you stay as comfortable as possible when an attack occurs.
- Symptoms of some neurologic problems may include vertigo. If you notice any difficulty with other functions of your body in addition to vertigo, then it would be prudent to see your primary care physician.
Lightheadedness
When a person feels lightheaded, it is usually a side effect of low blood pressure or the inability of the heart to pump adequately oxygenated blood to the brain consistently. Feelings of floating, swimming or heavy-headness can be the result of medication, anxiety disorders, low blood sugar and dehydration.
Balance Difficulty
If you have vision problems, muscle weakness in your legs or joint problems, you may experience balance difficulty. The entire body must be able to support you easily to maintain a good sense of balance.
If hearing changes during any of the sensations of dizziness, have your hearing tested while it is decreased, if possible, so that it may be documented. Keep a log of what is occurring. For instance, when you are experiencing the discomfort, what moves you or the world around you? If so, what direction? If you move your head or body into a particular position, do you feel better or worse? Did you eat or drink something that may have contributed to your symptoms? Have you started any new medications or supplements prior to the beginning of your symptoms?
As you can see, a diagnosis is about ruling out what is not causing your symptoms as much as what may be causing your symptoms. Your audiologist will work with your physician to help determine the best treatment for you. FBN
