The Pentagon will remove up to 1,000 transgender troops, giving others 30 days to self-identify
Vertigo is sometimes used interchangeably with the word dizziness, but vertigo is not used to describe various sensations of dizziness. It is, in fact, a condition of its own, triggered by the vestibular or central nervous system. Vertigo causes a sensation that one’s surroundings are moving (usually spinning).
Dehydration can indeed cause dizziness. It has an impact on blood volume and circulation, and when there is less blood reaching the brain, symptoms can occur.
As such, it is important that you consume plenty of water. Aim for an average of four to six cups a day. This will obviously depend on the person, level of activity, and temperature, among other factors.
Our bodies need salt (sodium), but not too much, nor too little. Too little salt may cause dehydration as your body won’t be able to retain water, causing dizziness.
Too much salt retains excess water, which can increase pressure on the inner ear and on blood vessels, also leading to dizziness (or even vertigo when it affects the inner ear).
Some vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause dizziness. Iron deficiency, for instance, will affect the production of red blood cells, which transport oxygen. B12 deficiency can affect the nervous and circulatory systems, and cause dizziness as well.
Lack of vitamin B1 can cause a nervous system disease called ataxia, and vitamin E deficiency can affect the signaling between nerve cells. Both can cause symptoms of dizziness.
Vitamin D is also important, and has been shown to be helpful in preventing episodes of dizziness in people with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). In general, eating a balanced diet can make a difference in managing symptoms of dizziness.
Most medications have side effects, and many can indeed cause dizziness. Also, beware of drug interactions, as sometimes these can cause dizziness, too. It’s always best to consult with your physician.
Medications can also help treat dizziness symptoms. For instance, vestibular suppressants such as antiemetics can help with peripheral dizziness originating in the vestibular system (i.e. Meniere's disease, BPPV, and vestibular neuritis).
Dizziness is a common symptom of a myriad of heart conditions. These conditions affect how the blood flows throughout the body, including the brain, leading to dizziness.
Some of the heart conditions that can trigger episodes of dizziness include low blood pressure, cardiomyopathies (heart muscle diseases), and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat).
Vision problems can have an impact on the vestibular system and cause dizziness. Presbyopia, a common condition that progressively gets worse with age, is one of the many eye problems that can cause dizziness.
Other refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism, can also cause dizziness.
Physical therapy is not just about rehabbing from an injury or surgery. It can also help with certain conditions and even alleviate symptoms of dizziness in some cases.
Exercises can be done to improve balance, and these can help the person at least manage the symptoms. Not every patient will benefit from it, but it’s something you may want to discuss with your doctor.
High levels of stress trigger a number of physiological responses in our bodies, including dizziness and vertigo.
The same applies to anxiety, where lightheadedness is pretty common, as are other manifestations of dizziness, particular in acute episodes such as panic attacks.
Overall, exercise is good for you. But there is a caveat. Some conditions may be aggravated by certain movements, so some forms of exercise may exacerbate your symptoms.
For example, people with some heart conditions may feel dizzy when standing up rapidly during a workout or when doing certain positions (i.e. yoga). Or one can sweat a lot and not rehydrate properly, leading to dizziness as well.
Ginger is commonly used in the treatment and prevention of motion sickness, nausea, and dizziness. Ginkgo biloba is also used to the same effect.
Acupuncture is an alternative medical treatment commonly used to relieve dizziness and vertigo.
Unlike acupuncture, this traditional Chinese medicine method doesn’t use needles. It’s all about pressure points in the body. According to the theory, there are six acupoints in the body that can be pressured to relieve symptoms of dizziness.
A sinus infection, for instance, can increase pressure on the middle ear, leading to lightheadedness. In some cases, it can extend to the inner ear and cause labyrinthitis and, consequently, vertigo.
Some conditions, such as Meniere's disease, labyrinthitis, and vestibular neuritis, may require steroid injections to be administered to the eardrum as part of treatment.
Repositioning maneuvers are movements that help relieve dizziness when it’s caused by certain conditions. One of these conditions is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which affects the inner ear. A method called the Epley maneuver can help put the inner ear structures known as otoliths back in place.
There are other repositioning maneuvers used for vertigo. These include Semont, Gufoni, and Zuma. Your doctor should be able to teach you how to perform them and advise on whether any of these is suitable for your case.
Carbon monoxide is a silent and odorless killer gas, so it’s important to have a monitor at home, especially if you burn any type of fuel. One of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning is dizziness.
Many other infections can cause dizziness, so practicing good hygiene is paramount to keeping germs under control and avoiding contact with viruses.
Sources: (Health Digest) (Healthline) (Cleveland Clinic)
See also: Why we should listen to our ears
In this gallery, we delve into some of the causes of dizziness, and what you can do to treat and prevent it. Click on for more.
What's behind dizziness? Explore causes, treatments, and prevention strategies
Vertigo included
HEALTH Lightheadedness
Dizziness is an umbrella term used to describe various sensations, including lightheadedness, loss of balance, and/or feelings of being unsteady or about to faint. The severity of these can vary, depending on the root cause and other factors. Common causes include dehydration, low blood sugar, medications, stress, and anxiety. But some diseases can also cause dizziness, as well as vertigo.
In this gallery, we delve into some of the causes of dizziness, and what you can do to treat and prevent it. Click on for more.