DCN Primary and Specialty Care-min

Dizziness & Vertigo

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Dizziness and vertigo can be interrelated, but they are two different sensations and it is important to differentiate one from the other. Dizziness is not a disease but instead a symptom of an underlying cause. It is a feeling of being:

  • Lightheaded
  • Woozy
  • Disoriented
  • Weak
  • Unsteady

Dizziness is highly common and could stem from a range of causes. Having a particularly severe migraine could cause dizziness as could drinking too much alcohol. Frequent explanations for dizziness include:

  • Dehydration
  • Ear Infection
  • Motion Sickness
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Anemia
  • Anxiety
  • Drop in Blood Pressure
  • Heat Stroke
  • Vigorous Exercise
  • Medication Side Effects

Dizziness could be caused by a more serious illness. In this case, it will be necessary to diagnose the issue properly in order to determine the best treatment. See a doctor when your dizziness follows or is accompanied by:

  • Head Injury
  • Spine Injury
  • Numbness or Tingling
  • High Fever
  • Chest Pain
  • Vomiting

You should also seek medical treatment for unexplained dizziness that is:

  • Reoccurring
  • Abrupt
  • Severe
  • Prolonged

Vertigo

It is possible for dizziness to accompany vertigo. This is the sudden false sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. Additional signs of vertigo include:

  • Difficulty Focusing Vision
  • Hearing Loss in One Ear
  • Balance Issues
  • Perspiring
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Ears Ringing

Typically, vertigo results from inner ear problems. Potential causes are:

  • BBPV – Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis

Symptoms may last for several minutes, hours, or might come and go over a period of days. There is no cure for vertigo; however, this disorder is not fatal. In many instances it is possible for vertigo to go away without the need for treatment. For prolonged or recurring vertigo, the course of treatment depends on the cause and includes:

  • Vestibular Rehabilitation – Physical therapy that strengthens the system that sends signals to the brain about head and body movements.
  • Medications – Antibiotics for an infection, steroids for an inflammation, antinausea medicine
  • Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers – Head and body movements that move calcium deposits from the inner ear, so they are absorbed by the body.
  • Surgery – When vertigo is a symptom of an underlying problem like a brain injury or a tumor, surgery may be explored.

Schedule Your Appointment

The medical staff at Desert Care Network offer a comprehensive and compassionate approach to care. If you are experiencing dizziness and vertigo, contact us to diagnose your problem and to determine a course of treatment.