Guide to Understanding and Managing Dizziness

The inner ear is critical for maintaining balance, and any disruption in its function can lead to dizziness or vertigo. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a primary diagnosis of dizziness. It happens when small calcium particles called otoconia enter and move into the semicircular canals of the inner ear. This displacement results in abnormal fluid movement within the canals, leading to brief episodes of vertigo when changing head positions.

Another inner ear culprit is Meniere’s disease. The vertigo associated with Meniere's disease is very severe and debilitating, usually lasting hours (even up to 24 or more) if left untreated. It generally occurs along with nausea and vomiting. Crucial in the long term is management grounded on dietary cautions (particularly with salt content) and medicines that restrain or reduce the production of fluid through the inner ear labyrinth, promote oxygen-rich blood flow to the inner ear, and reduce vertigo.

Few people are aware of this, but cardiovascular issues can also significantly contribute to dizziness, especially in the elderly. Inadequate Blood Pressure control in the body resulting from Orthostatic Hypotension is sudden, and its symptoms include dizziness or fainting when changing positions (Orthostasis), dehydration, prolonged periods of bed rest, and use of some drugs. Orthostatic hypotension is more common among the elderly and individuals with underlying cardiovascular deconditioning. Potential remedies include keeping hydrated, not getting up too quickly, and, in some cases, recommending oxygen supplement medications by a physician.

Dizziness is also caused by several neurological diseases, and such conditions could be life-threatening if immediate medical treatment was suspended. In addition to dizziness, headaches may be associated with these neurological entities. It leads to unsteadiness, lightheadedness, sensitivity, and disturbance of vision.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that targets myelinated axons in the central nervous system. People with MS often experience dizziness and balance issues, particularly during flares when the body is actually attacking that myelin. The third most important cause of dizziness is Stroke.

A stroke— also known as a brain attack — occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving them of oxygen and nutrients. In addition to brain shrinkage, these events can result in a variety of symptoms, including instantaneous dizziness and the death of brain cells.

There are a number of medications and substances that can create the symptom of dizziness with rather severe forms in some instances. The most common are antihypertensives (prescribed to reduce blood pressure), sedatives, and antidepressants. These drugs may interfere with the brain's balancing centers or lower blood pressure, which can cause an individual to experience dizziness. Please see your doctor if you experience dizziness upon starting a new medication. It could involve changing the dosage or switching to another related drug so that side effects are reduced.

Dizziness can be due to alcohol as alcohol can affect the central nervous system by acting either directly or indirectly on neurotransmitter function in the brain (which are chemicals that communicate information throughout our brain and body); one of its initial effects is a disruption to balance and coordination. Drinking too much alcohol leads to dehydration and can impair the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to the brain.

Although those are rarely talked about, also psychological causes like anxiety or stress can serve as a reason for dizziness. Similarly, chronic anxiety can result in constant dizziness (a psychological cause), which is called Chronic Subjective Dizziness (CSD), failing to feel steadiness for hours. CBT and relaxation techniques that increase oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain are generally safe for managing dizziness related to anxiety.

The best method of dizziness control is one that helps you soothe your problems most easily but fails to notice the simple factors like relaxing water. If you are out in the heat or exert yourself physically and get hot, do not let anything interfere with dehydration, as this is one of the most common reasons for dizziness. Normal water is important for preventing occasional lightheadedness brought on by dehydration. Adults need to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day — more if they are active or live in hot climates, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Occasionally, sudden position changes — standing from a seated or supine (lying) position, for example— make her dizzy. But conversely, transitioning from one leg exercise to the next quickly would bring fear into immediate concern. To avoid this, you should go slow and steady, particularly if switching between two postures.

Doing some balance exercises can be especially helpful in controlling dizziness. Practices like tai chi or certain vestibular rehabilitation exercises can help you train your balance so the frequency and intensity of dizziness decrease over time. This is an excellent exercise for people with equilibrium disorders of the inner ear.

Other common reasons for dizziness are psychological: stress, anxiety, etc. These triggers can be managed by practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Set of measures that will decrease the stress and lead to a lower risk of dizziness. Among the traditional psychotherapy techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an efficacious method of treating anxiety-related chronic dizziness. In some cases, your healthcare provider might recommend an oxygen supplement.