Dizziness (Vertigo)

Dizziness (vertigo), is a problem that occurs due to different reasons. Although the incidence of dizziness increases with aging, it is a condition that can be encountered in all age groups.

What is Dizziness (Vertigo)?

Dizziness is used to describe feeling unstable, light-headed or as if you are about to faint. Dizziness can cause a false perception that objects around you are spinning or moving. This false perception is called vertigo.

Occasional dizziness is usually not caused by a serious problem. However, if dizziness occurs frequently and lasts for a long time, it is useful to consult a doctor.

What are the Types of Dizziness (Vertigo)?

Dizziness is a collective term for several different sensations leading to lightheadedness, loss of balance. There are therefore different types of dizziness. The most well-known of these types, vertigo, is the perception that objects in the environment are moving or spinning. For example, when a person is sitting still, it is perceived as if he or she is spinning. Another type, defined as unsteadiness, involves a loss of balance. Presyncope is a type of dizziness in which the patient loses consciousness and passes out. In another type, the patient's connection with the environment is severed and the person feels dizzy.

What Causes Dizziness (Vertigo)?

Dizziness can occur due to many different events, from inner ear problems to motion sickness, from low blood pressure to the use of various medications.

Inner Ear Problems

The correct perception of balance is achieved with the help of many different body parts. One of the organs involved in the perception of balance is the eye. The eye perceives the position and movements of the body in the environment. Sensory nerves also send signals to the brain about the position and position of the body. Finally, the inner ear contains sensory cells that detect gravity changes and back and forth movements.

In inner ear problems, there is an inconsistency between the information the brain receives from the inner ear and the signals that reach the brain through the eye and sensory nerves. In this case, the person's perception is distorted and vertigo occurs. In short, vertigo occurs as a result of confusion and inconsistency in the brain. Conditions that cause vertigo:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): People with this condition experience sudden onset but short-lasting vertigo attacks. During the attack, the patient perceives the surroundings as spinning and moving. Sudden head movements, such as getting up quickly, tilting the head, turning it left and right, can trigger attacks. BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo.
Infection Infection of the so-called vestibular nerve, which is responsible for transmitting signals between the ear and the brain, can cause vertigo.
Meniere's Disease: It is a disease that causes excessive fluid accumulation in the inner ear. This disease can cause vertigo that starts suddenly and lasts for several hours. In addition to vertigo, the disease can also cause problems such as a feeling of blockage in the ear, tinnitus and hearing loss.
Migraine People with migraine may experience vertigo or other types of dizziness even in the absence of a headache.

Circulation Problems

Reduced blood flow to the brain leads to symptoms such as lightheadedness, fainting and dizziness. Circulatory problems that cause dizziness are as follows:

Drop in Blood Pressure: A rapid drop in blood pressure or blood pressure can cause dizziness. Behaviors such as sitting down quickly or standing up suddenly can cause dizziness as they cause a sudden change in blood pressure. This condition is also called ‘orthostatic hypotension’.
Decreased Blood Circulation: Conditions such as heart muscle diseases, arrhythmia and heart attacks can cause dizziness. A serious decrease in blood volume due to bleeding or other causes can also lead to a decrease in blood flow to the brain and thus to dizziness or fainting.

Other Causes

Other causes of dizziness:

Neurological Diseases: Diseases such as Parkinson's or Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can lead to loss of balance and dizziness.
Medicines Drugs used to prevent seizures, antidepressants, tranquilizers can cause dizziness. Dizziness may also occur when blood pressure lowering medications cause a greater drop in blood pressure than desired.
Anemia (Bloodlessness): Anemia can lead to effects such as pallor, fatigue and weakness, as well as dizziness.
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia): Especially in people who have diabetes and use insulin, blood sugar can drop to dangerous levels. In this case, the patient may experience symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, anxiety and confusion.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Carbon monoxide gas is released from appliances such as water heaters, stoves and cookers that do not work properly. This gas, which is taken into the body through breathing, causes problems such as dizziness, weakness, nausea and confusion.
Excessive Fluid Loss: Going out and moving around in extreme heat causes a high amount of fluid loss through sweating. If this lost fluid is not replaced by drinking plenty of water, dizziness may occur.

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What are the Symptoms of Dizziness (Vertigo)?

Dizziness, in patients:

The feeling that things are spinning, moving
Fainting, passing out
Loss of balance
Feeling of heaviness in the head

It causes a variety of symptoms such as.

These symptoms may worsen when walking, standing up or moving the head. Sometimes the dizziness is so severe that the person may need to sit or lie down. Dizziness can go away in seconds or minutes, or it can last for days or recur.

How is Headache (Vertigo) Diagnosed?

In the diagnosis, the patient is asked questions such as the description of dizziness, how often it occurs, whether there are conditions that trigger dizziness. Medications used by the patient are also questioned. During the examination, the patient is asked to walk to check whether he/she can maintain his/her balance. The patient may also undergo a neurological examination for diagnosis. With this examination, the patient's nerves are evaluated and it is investigated whether there is a problem in the nervous system.

In addition to history and examination, some tests may be performed in the diagnosis. For example, for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, which causes vertigo, the patient's head can be moved to see if dizziness is observed.

How is Dizziness (Vertigo) Treated at Moodist Hospital?

In the treatment of dizziness (vertigo), it is first necessary to find out the cause of the problem and treat the underlying diseases, if any. The specialist will take a detailed history of the patient and then perform a neurological examination. A good questioning and examination can be sufficient in most cases to determine the cause without the need for additional laboratory intervention.

Treatment methods differ according to the cause of dizziness detected. These can be simple head movements, medication or surgical intervention. Although some types of dizziness resolve spontaneously, treatment is usually planned to cure the underlying disease that causes dizziness. Dizziness, which can be caused by different health problems, is not actually a disease, but a symptomatic finding caused by the focal disease. In other words, it is the common result of multiple problems.

The priority in treatment is to reduce or eliminate dizziness and to restore balance functions in the safest way possible. If it is caused by the displacement of crystals in the inner ear, the treatment is aimed at repositioning the crystals. In positional vertigo, head maneuvers can be used to relieve dizziness. In the early stages, sedative medications can be used to reduce symptoms by suppressing the balance centers.

If dizziness occurs due to a disorder related to the inner ear, the patient may need to adjust his/her lifestyle, and medications that suppress dizziness, increase circulation and reduce the sensitivity of the balance nerves are included in the treatment.

There are other methods other than medication in the treatment of dizziness, one of which is maneuvers. The specialist can describe some maneuvers that patients can perform at home to reduce dizziness or inform them with brochures. These maneuvers are a highly preferred dizziness treatment method because they can be done in a few minutes, they are very practical and the results are effective. However, they should not be performed in every dizziness. If the dizziness is caused by the balance channels, a solution can be achieved by performing a correct maneuver by a specialist physician.

What happens if dizziness (vertigo) is not treated?

If left untreated, dizziness can lead to problems such as falls and injuries. A sudden dizziness while driving can also cause traffic accidents. In order to prevent these situations, it is very important to identify and treat the condition that causes dizziness.

What can be done to cope with vertigo?

People who frequently experience dizziness may benefit from taking various precautions to prevent problems that may occur due to dizziness as well as treatment. It may be necessary to use non-slip mats on the bathroom floor and to remove items such as cables and rugs that may get caught on the feet during dizziness. In addition, people with dizziness should not drive. Eating regularly and drinking enough fluids also prevents dizziness due to dehydration or low blood sugar.

How Can I Help My Relative with Vertigo?

To help your relative who is experiencing dizziness, you should take them to a health center and have them checked. If your relative has diseases such as diabetes and blood pressure that can cause dizziness, you can take various precautions. For example, you can ensure that your relative with diabetes carries sugar with him/her in his/her vehicle and consumes this sugar immediately when his/her blood sugar drops. In cases such as medication changes and dose increases in blood pressure patients, you can suggest that they be careful against sudden drops in blood pressure in the first few days, and if you live together, you can be prepared for this situation.

Private Moodist Hospital With its expert staff, it offers solutions to those who have dizziness problems. In our hospital, where the treatment of patients is determined by a multidisciplinary approach method, patients are given life recommendations as well as medication. Thus, a holistic treatment is provided by increasing the quality of life of the patient during the recovery process.

For detailed information about dizziness or to make an appointment, you can call 0 216 912 1700 or contact our hospital.

The information on this page has been prepared by the Medical Team of Private Moodist Hospital.