Vertigo is the medical term used to describe the feeling that you or your surroundings are moving or spinning. For some people, the sensation is barely noticeable and lasts only a few seconds. For others, episodes of dizziness can last for minutes or even hours. In severe cases, the unsettling feeling can occur frequently for weeks or months and make it difficult to maintain balance and perform daily tasks. Nausea often accompanies prolonged episodes of dizziness.
Although it is not usually a serious health problem, dizziness can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition and should always be evaluated by a doctor to determine treatment (if any).
Recurrent episodes of dizziness that do not go away on their own may be due to a problem involving the inner ear or brain. There are two main types of vertigo, each presenting with a distinct set of symptoms:
- Central vertigo: Caused by problems in the brain, central vertigo can be associated with serious conditions such as stroke, brain tumors, and multiple sclerosis. Symptoms develop gradually and are usually mild but persistent and may include unsteady gait and loss of coordination. This type of vertigo is not affected by head position and movement and is usually diagnosed and managed by a neurologist.
- Peripheral vertigo: Much more common, peripheral vertigo is caused by a problem in the part of the inner ear that controls balance. Symptoms often start suddenly and can be more severe than central vertigo. This type of vertigo is triggered by sudden changes in head position and/or movement and may cause nausea and/or vomiting. Gait and coordination are usually not affected.
The most common type of peripheral vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV. As its name suggests, BPPV is a benign condition, meaning it is not cancerous or harmful. However, its symptoms can be alarming and affect a person’s quality of life.
Potential causes of dizziness
Brief, temporary episodes of dizziness can be caused by dehydration, a cold virus, or an inner ear infection/inflammation. In these cases, symptoms usually go away when the virus clears up; the infection is treated; or the body is rehydrated.
Is it dangerous if dizziness occurs randomly during the day?
In rare cases, random dizziness can also be a sign of a medical emergency.
Here are two situations that require immediate medical attention:
1. Stroke
This is a big deal. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked. An estimated 0.7% to 3.2% of people who go to the emergency room for dizziness are having a stroke. While you may associate strokes with older adults, they can certainly happen to younger people.
In addition to dizziness, look for the sudden onset of the worst headache of your life and any loss of function in your limbs. Other common stroke symptoms include numbness on one side of the body, drooping of one side of the face, and difficulty speaking or walking.
2. Concussion
A concussion or head injury can cause dizziness, even when lying down. This is a serious type of brain injury that occurs when you get a bump, blow, or other type of trauma to your head that causes your brain to move around inside your skull. In fact, about half of people who have a concussion experience dizziness at some point during their recovery. You may also feel nauseous, unusually tired, and have trouble remembering things, and you may have blurred vision.
Some warning signs that you are having a concussion include:
- Losing consciousness after a head injury
- Having one pupil larger than the other
- Having seizures, slurred speech, or agitation
When to be concerned about unusual dizziness during the day?
It’s important to go to the emergency room if your dizziness coincides with a recent blow to the head or with any of the above symptoms that could indicate a brain or heart condition. You need to pay attention to things like numbness on one side of the body, severe headache, and problems walking or talking as potential signs of a stroke.
And be aware of symptoms like chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath as signs of a heart problem. If you feel like you’re about to pass out (and especially if you lose consciousness), that also warrants a trip to the emergency room.
How to relieve symptoms of dizziness right away?
Whenever you have a dizzy spell, it’s important to take a few steps to avoid injury (from bumping into something or falling), and if you do get lightheaded, avoid fainting.
You can:
- Lying down is a good place to start if you are at home.
- If you are experiencing any nausea or headaches, turn off the lights and lower the temperature in the room if possible.
- If you are outside, try sitting or even squatting down and wrapping your arms around your legs, this way you are less likely to faint as it will help to get more blood to your brain.
- If you are still feeling lightheaded, lying flat on the ground with your legs elevated can help
Rehydration and refuelling are also important if you suspect that overexertion or dehydration or food may be the cause of your lightheadedness.
