Dizziness is a general term that is used to describe feelings of lightheadedness, weakness or unsteadiness, according to the Mayo Clinic. Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms that prompt patients to visit the doctor. This condition can be very distressing and possibly incapacitate the patient. However, dizziness rarely signifies a serious underlying condition. In order to provide the best possible treatment, the direct cause of the dizziness must be established.
Insufficient Blood Supply to the Brain
Dizziness can occur when the brain is not receiving adequate amounts of blood. This usually happens if blood pressure drops suddenly, the person becomes dehydrated or the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently. A sudden drop in blood pressure can be caused by sitting or standing up rapidly, by a reaction to certain drugs such as nitrates and sildenafil, or by a large bleeding wound. People often become dehydrated if they are experiencing vomiting, diarrhea or fever. Heart pump abnormalities can occur if the heart muscle is damaged or the heart rhythm is irregular. All of these conditions can cause an individual to feel dizzy.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a condition that causes brief, intense episodes of dizziness. The dizziness, combined with the feeling that the immediate surroundings are spinning, is called vertigo, reports the Mayo Clinic. The dizziness occurs when the person changes the position of his head, especially while turning over in bed or sitting up in the morning. The disease is caused by an accumulation of carbonate crystals in the inner ear. These crystals are normally attached to the bones of the inner ear, but in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, they break off and gather in the inner chambers of the ear. These crystals shift when the person’s head moves, and this can lead to dizziness and vertigo.
Labrynthitis
Labyrinthitis is a viral infection that begins as a cold or flu but quickly localizes to the inner ear, according to "The New York Times Health Guide." This disease is characterized by inflammation of the tissues within the inner ear. The inflammation can cause sudden, severe vertigo accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Usually the infection spontaneously resolves, and the patient experiences a full recovery. If given early enough, oral prednisone can help the patient recover from the disease.
Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease can cause dizziness, nausea and vertigo, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Meniere’s disease is characterized by fluid buildup in the inner ear. This disease affects adults of all ages, and the dizziness happens in episodes that last for 30 minutes to an hour. The dizziness is frequently associated with ringing in the ear, which is a condition called tinnitus. The cause of Meniere’s disease has yet to be established.
Acoustic Neuroma
An acoustic neuroma, or a vestibular schwannoma, is a benign growth on a part of the nerve that supplies the inner ear. Signs of this mass in the inner ear include dizziness, loss of balance, tinnitus and hearing loss. Once the diagnosis has been established, the acoustic neuroma needs to be removed in order to relieve the symptoms.
