According to a 2007 press release from the University of Pennsylvania, approximately 9 million to 15 million people in the United States have recurrent episodes of dizziness, and 3 million individuals experience daily symptoms of dizziness. While chronic dizziness can be distracting and uncomfortable, it can also be a sign of a serious underlying condition that needs to be treated. When the cause of the dizziness is identified, steps can be taken to cure or minimize the symptoms.
Vertigo
Vertigo occurs due to a problem with structures in the inner ear that aid with balance and sense movement. When an individual sits down or walks around, the vertigo may worsen and cause nausea, vomiting and balance trouble. Vertigo may be caused by a variety of things, according to the MayoClinic.com, including inner ear inflammation; a noncancerous tumor on the vestibular nerve, known as an acoustic neuroma; Meniere's disease, which causes a buildup of fluid in the inner ear; and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, which causes brief but intense episodes of vertigo when the head is turned.
Orthostatic Hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension involves a significant drop in blood pressure that occurs when an individual stands up, causing fainting or dizziness. The dizziness and fainting are a result of decreased blood flow to the brain. While orthostatic hypotension is not a specific disorder, says The Merck Manuals, it accounts for an individual's inability to adjust to abrupt changes in blood pressure. This condition may occur due to medications, aging, exercise, diabetes and fatigue. When the underlying cause of orthostatic hypotension is not curable, treatments still exist that can minimize the dizziness and help maintain blood volume. These treatments include drinking adequate amounts of fluids, avoiding alcohol, wearing compression socks and taking medications like Midodrine and clonidine.
Anxiety Disorders
Some anxiety disorders, like panic attacks or agoraphobia, can cause dizziness. Sometimes another condition, like an inner ear disorder, may cause chronic dizziness, but anxiety about the dizziness can cause it to continue or recur, even once the ear disorder has been fixed.
Disequilibrium
Disequilibrium is the loss of balance or a feeling of unsteadiness, according to the MayoClinic.com, and may be a cause of chronic dizziness. Inner ear problems, sensory disorders like peripheral neuropathy, joint and muscle problems such as arthritis, neurological conditions like Parkinson's and taking certain medications can all contribute to feelings of disequilibrium and cause chronic dizziness.
