Spinning dizziness is a characteristic disorder in the body’s balance perception system. And the sign to recognize it is nothing more than the feeling that the surrounding space or yourself is spinning even though there is no actual movement.
This is not just a simple manifestation but a very typical type of motor hallucination, causing the patient to almost completely lose the ability to sense direction and balance at the moment of dizziness.
What is the most recognizable sign?
When you are sitting still, or just turning your head to one side, and suddenly, everything around you seems to be spinning non-stop. The room that was originally quiet suddenly becomes a rotation, the ceiling seems to fall down, the floor tilts, stationary objects suddenly seem to be moving around you. Meanwhile, you yourself also feel like being pulled to one side, or swaying without support. These are common symptoms of spinning dizziness.
The feeling of spinning comes on very quickly, and is strong enough to make you unable to stand still. Many people are forced to sit down, even lie flat on the floor, holding their heads as a natural reflex to “fight” that invisible rotation. Others feel extremely nauseous, break out in cold sweats, and cannot open their eyes because the more they look, the more everything spins.
It is the feeling of spinning without moving that is the core sign that helps distinguish normal vertigo from vertigo.
Although the core sign is the illusion of spinning, there are still some other signs as follows:
- Nausea and vomiting: Spinal vertigo causes strong stimulation of the brain and digestive system, leading to a feeling of nausea and vomiting.
- Loss of balance: The patient falls easily, has difficulty maintaining a steady posture even when just sitting.
- Cold sweats, shaking hands and feet: A strong feeling of spinning can cause the sympathetic nervous system to be overstimulated.
- Unable to open eyes or see clearly: Looking at a fixed point does not help “stop” the spinning feeling, forcing many people to close their eyes and lie still.
- Tinnitus, hearing loss: In some cases such as Meniere’s disease, inner ear symptoms also appear at the same time.
What should you do when signs of spinning appear?
Here are 5 things you should do:
1. Stop immediately and sit or lie down in a safe place
When the feeling of spinning begins to appear, even if it is only mild, the first thing you should do is stop whatever activity you are doing. Do not try to continue walking, do not try to maintain balance by standing. Find a place to sit or lie down immediately, preferably in a sideways position to avoid falling or hitting yourself if the condition gets worse. If you are outside, find a support such as a park bench, railing or nearby wall. Ensuring your body’s safety is always the first priority.
2. Fix your head and close your eyes to reduce the feeling of spinning
When you feel dizzy, the more your head moves, the more intense the feeling of dizziness. Therefore, you should keep your head in a fixed position, avoiding turning from side to side. If possible, tilt your head back slightly, close your eyes, so that your eyes are not overloaded when seeing everything tilted. Closing your eyes will help the brain to cut off the amount of false signals from the vision, reduce the processing burden and help the feeling of dizziness stabilize faster.
3. Breathe deeply and evenly to calm the body
One of the common reactions when feeling dizzy is anxiety and panic, which makes the situation worse. At that time, you need to focus on your breathing, inhale deeply through your nose, hold for 2-3 seconds, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeating this regularly for a few minutes will help stabilize your heart rate, regulate blood pressure, reduce muscle tension and help your brain regain the necessary calm.
4. Do not try to stand up immediately when you are not stable
Many people make the mistake of trying to stand up and continue walking as soon as they feel their dizziness subside. This is very dangerous because the feeling of dizziness can return suddenly, causing falls or collisions. It is best to sit still or lie down for at least 5-10 minutes, making sure your head is no longer spinning, your eyes are no longer blurred, your breathing is even, then slowly sit up. When standing up, move slowly, keep a support nearby, and avoid sudden changes in position.
5. Drink some water or light sweets if possible
If you suspect that the cause of dizziness is mild hypotension, dehydration or hypoglycemia, drinking a few sips of water or eating a small piece of cake, soft fruit (banana, apple…) will help improve the situation quickly. However, only do this when you are sure you are conscious and able to swallow. If you are experiencing severe nausea, avoid eating or drinking until you are more stable.
