Dizzy spells can have a variety of causes, from inner ear issues and circulatory problems to neurological conditions, medication side effects or hypoglycemia. Understanding the underlying cause is crucial for effective treatment and prevention. If you experience frequent or severe dizzy spells, it’s critical to consult a healthcare provider to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. Discover what causes dizziness as Bloom Financial Services uncovers the causes so you can better manage your health and well-being.
Types of dizzy spells
Dizzy spells can manifest in various ways. Some of the more common types include:
- Vertigo is a spinning or movement sensation that feels like the world is spinning around you. This is commonly caused by inner ear issues or infections.
- Pre-syncope: A feeling of faintness or lightheadedness, often accompanied by sweating or nausea. It usually occurs by a drop in blood flow to the brain, which can be caused by conditions like hypotension or heart problems.
- Disequilibrium: A sense of unsteadiness or imbalance, without the sensation of spinning. It can result from inner ear problems, neurological conditions, or muscle and joint disorders that affect balance and coordination.
- Lightheadedness: A vague feeling of being woozy or about to faint, not associated with the sensation of movement. This can be caused by dehydration, hypoglycemia or anaemia.
- Motion Sickness: Dizziness, nausea, and imbalance triggered by motion, such as during travel by car, boat, or plane.
Symptoms of dizziness
Dizzy spells can present a variety of symptoms, depending on the cause. Here are some of the typical symptoms:
- Spinning sensation (Vertigo): A feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving around you.
- Lightheadedness: A sensation of feeling faint or as if you might pass out.
- Imbalance: Difficulty maintaining your balance, often leading to unsteadiness or feeling off-balance.
- Nausea: A feeling of sickness, which can sometimes lead to vomiting.
- Blurred vision: Difficulty focusing or seeing clearly, often accompanied by visual disturbances like double vision.
- Sweating: Excessive perspiration, sometimes occurring suddenly.
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (Tinnitus): A decrease in hearing or a persistent ringing or buzzing sound.
- Headaches: Pain or discomfort in the head, which can vary in intensity.
- Palpitations: An unusually fast or irregular heartbeat.
- The feeling of Floating or Wwaying: A sensation of floating, swaying, or rocking, even when standing still.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing or a feeling like you’re not getting enough air.
The causes of dizzy spells
Dizzy spells are often described as a feeling of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or a sensation that the surroundings are spinning. Understanding the causes is essential for managing and preventing these episodes. The most common causes include the following:
- Inner Ear Issues
- Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness where there is a false sense of movement or spinning. It often arises from problems within the inner ear, particularly the vestibular system, which helps control balance. One common form of vertigo is known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This is caused by tiny calcium particles that accumulate in the inner ear canals. These particles disrupt normal fluid movement that the inner ear uses to sense head motion, leading to short episodes of dizziness, especially when changing head positions.
- Meniere’s Disease is a chronic condition that affects the inner ear. It is characterised by sudden, severe vertigo, including hearing loss and tinnitus. Meniere’s disease is related to abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear. This fluid interferes with balance and hearing signals sent to the brain, resulting in dizziness.
- Labyrinthitis and vestibular are inflammatory conditions affecting the inner ear. Labyrinthitis involves inflammation of both the labyrinth (the structure in the inner ear that controls balance) and the vestibular nerve (which sends balance signals to the brain). Vestibular neuritis affects only the vestibular nerve. These conditions are often caused by viral infections, leading to sudden, severe vertigo and balance issues. In severe cases it can lead to hearing loss.
- Circulatory Problems
- Hypotension or low blood pressure, can lead to dizziness, especially when standing up quickly. This occurs when blood pressure drops suddenly when an individual changes positions, reducing blood flow to the brain and causing the feeling of lightheadedness. Causes of hypotension include dehydration, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions.
- Poor blood circulation can also cause dizziness. Conditions like atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) or heart disease reduce blood flow to the brain, leading to feelings of lightheadedness. An irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) can also cause dizziness by disrupting the consistent flow of blood to the brain.
- Neurological Conditions
- Migraines are severe headaches often accompanied by dizziness or vertigo. Vestibular migraines, in particular, cause episodes of dizziness. Changes in the brain’s blood flow or nerve pathways during a migraine can affect balance.
- Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. MS can damage the areas of the brain that control balance, leading to dizzy spells and coordination problems.
- Medication Side Effects
Some types of medications cause dizziness. Many medications have dizziness listed as a side effect. These include blood pressure medications, antidepressants, sedatives, and certain antibiotics. Diuretics, which are used to treat hypertension, can cause dizziness by lowering blood pressure.
- Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, affecting normal bodily functions. It can reduce blood volume, leading to lower blood pressure and decreased blood flow to the brain. Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, excessive thirst, dark urine, and fatigue. Staying hydrated is crucial, especially in hot weather or during high-intensity exercise. Discover more about Bloom’s tips for staying hydrated.
- Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause dizziness, confusion, and even fainting. It commonly occurs in people with diabetes who use insulin or other blood sugar-lowering medications. When blood sugar levels drop too low, the brain doesn’t get enough glucose to function properly, resulting in dizziness. Eating regular meals and monitoring blood sugar levels can help manage and prevent hypoglycemia-related dizziness.
- Infections
Infections, particularly viral infections like the flu or a cold, can lead to dizziness. These infections can cause inflammation in the inner ear or other parts of the body, disrupting balance and leading to feelings of dizziness. Additionally, fevers and dehydration often associated with infections can exacerbate these symptoms. Rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications can help alleviate dizziness caused by infections.
How to stop having dizzy spells with these prevention methods
Once you’ve undercovered the cause of your dizziness, you can make a conscious effort to prevent these episodes by doing some of the following:
- Make healthy lifestyle choices. If you suffer from diabetes or other heart-related diseases, you should commit to a regular exercise routine, and maintain a healthy body index with a well-balanced, nutritious diet. Additionally, you should limit your intake of alcohol or food high in sodium, sugar or trans fats.
- Stress management. Find balance in your life to assist with reducing stress or anxiety. Practice mindfulness or use other techniques, like yoga or calming breathing methods.
- Regular medical check-ups. If you suffer from dizzy spells, it’s important to have your condition monitored by a healthcare professional so they can provide advice or a treatment programme.
Get health insurance cover with specialist benefits
Understanding and recognising dizzy spells is critical for timely intervention and effective management. Be aware of the symptoms and seek treatment from a healthcare professional or specialist. A comprehensive health insurance plan can provide you with access to top-tier specialists, advanced treatments, and critical support services. Explore Momentum Health4Me health insurance plans and apply for health insurance online.
