Dizziness (Vertigo)

What is dizziness?
dizziness and vertigo

Dizziness is a collective term to describe a range of sensations, including feeling faint, woozy, weak, or unsteady. The false sense of spinning or moving is known as vertigo.

It is one of the more common reasons adults visit their doctors. Frequent dizzy spells or constant vertigo can affect daily life. It doesn’t signal a life-threatening condition.

How bad is my dizziness?

Mild: You may have mild light-headedness and giddiness. It can be safely managed at home. Follow the tips in the mild dizziness section below.

Moderate: You may experience heavy-headedness and loss of balance. It may limit instrumental activities of daily life (medication management, housekeeping activities, ability to manage finances).

Severe: You may experience unbearable headaches, hearing problem, double vision or blurred vision and numbness. It is an emergency that requires additional medical attention. It may limit self-care activities of daily life (eating, dressing, getting into or out of a bed, taking a bath or shower, and using the toilet).

How to manage mild dizziness?

Keep track of dizziness using Ankr (myAnkr web portal or the Ankr app). It will help you describe the discomfort to your doctor or nurse.

  • Lie down and close the eyes
  • Acupuncture
  • Drink plenty of water and keeping hydrated
  • Reduce stress plus alcohol and tobacco intake
  • Get plenty of sleep
  • There are several therapeutic approaches (head position maneuvers, balance therapy, or psychotherapy) that can help to relieve dizziness.
How to manage moderate and severe dizziness?

Get emergency medical care if you experience:

  • Sudden, severe headache
  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Numbness or paralysis of arms or legs
  • Fainting
  • Double vision
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Confusion or slurred speech
  • Stumbling or difficulty walking
  • Ongoing vomiting
  • Seizures
  • A sudden change in hearing
  • Facial numbness or weakness
What causes dizziness?
  • Cancer treatments (radiation therapy, chemotherapy)
  • Neurological disorders.
  • Cardiovascular ailments (blood pressure).
  • Ear-related issues (from injury).
  • Head injuries or trauma.
  • Certain medications.
  • Pregnancy and other hormonal changes.

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