Dizziness is the feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when there is no real movement.
You may feel off-balance, spinning, dizzy, falling, or tilting. You may feel very sick or vomit. You may have trouble walking or standing. And you may lose your balance and fall.
Dizziness can happen at any age. But it is more common in older adults. The fear of dizziness can cause older adults to limit their physical and social activities. Dizziness can also lead to falls and other injuries.
Occasional dizziness is normal. Brief episodes of dizziness are usually not caused by a serious problem. Dizziness is often caused by a rapid drop in blood pressure and blood flow to the head. This can happen when you stand up too quickly from a sitting or lying position (orthostatic hypotension), Open dialog box). Persistent dizziness may mean you have a more serious problem that needs to be checked out.
However, in some cases, dizziness can be a sign of a serious condition when accompanied by the following symptoms:
1. Chest pain
Chest pain or discomfort may feel like pressure, squeezing, tightness, or fullness. Dizziness, in addition to chest pain, can also be a sign of a heart attack.
If these symptoms last longer than 15 minutes, you should seek prompt medical attention. You should also call your local emergency number immediately if the pain seems to spread or you have trouble breathing.
2. Fever
Dizziness, fever, loss of balance, difficulty speaking, and drooping of the face can be signs of a stroke. Call 911 immediately if these signs appear.
Stroke is one of the leading causes of serious long-term disability and death. Recognizing the signs of a stroke and seeking prompt medical attention is important to reduce your risk of this potentially life-threatening condition.
3. Shortness of breath
When you have trouble breathing, you may have trouble taking a deep breath or gasp for air. Dizziness and shortness of breath can be warning signs of life-threatening conditions such as a blood clot in the lungs or arteries or even a heart attack.
Contact your doctor right away if you have these symptoms. They can advise you whether you should go to the emergency room.
4. Difficulty walking
Sudden dizziness, difficulty walking, confusion, severe headache, and weakness on one side of the body could be a stroke. Because blood flow is affected when you have a stroke, getting help sooner will increase your chances of survival.
5. Fall
If you are over 65, have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, and have recently experienced dizziness, you may be having a stroke.
You may feel like the room is spinning or that you are falling to one side. If dizziness accompanies a fall, you need immediate medical attention.
6. Stiff neck
A severe or intense headache, stiff neck, dizziness, and vision changes can be symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), especially if they occur suddenly.
A subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs when blood leaks into the space between the first and second membranes that surround the brain. Usually, a swollen blood vessel bursts, causing this condition.
The buildup of blood increases pressure inside the skull, which can cause brain damage. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is also involved in about 5 percent of strokes.
You should go to the nearest emergency room if you experience these symptoms. If any of the above symptoms occur, you should be concerned about dizziness.
