Dizziness is a term that describes a range of sensations, including feeling faint, woozy, weak, or unsteady. It can also create a false sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. These symptoms can be momentary or long-lasting and may interfere with daily activities. Various health conditions can affect balance, making a professional diagnosis fundamental for addressing symptoms. Here’s more information on what health conditions may cause dizziness:
What Can Cause Dizziness?
Dizziness may stem from a wide range of underlying causes, both benign and serious. This sensation is commonly associated with issues in the inner ear, which plays a key role in maintaining balance. Conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, or vestibular Meniere’s are types of inner ear conditions that can cause balance issues.
Dizziness may also be linked to certain medications, dehydration, low blood sugar, or sudden drops in blood pressure. Some other conditions that may cause balance-related symptoms are:
- Anemia
- Anxiety Disorders
- Cardiovascular Conditions
Vertigo
Peripheral vertigo is a specific type of dizziness defined by the sensation that you or the environment around you is moving or spinning. One of the most common causes of peripheral vertigo is BPPV, but there are other subtypes. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium crystals, known as canaliths, become dislodged from their normal location in the inner ear and move into one of the semicircular canals. This movement sends false signals to the brain about head and body motion, triggering episodes of vertigo.
Central vertigo is a type of vertigo that originates from problems within the central nervous system. Central vertigo results from conditions affecting the brainstem or cerebellum, like migraines, strokes, multiple sclerosis, or tumors. Other neurological symptoms often accompany this less common form of vertigo.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, including the brain. When the brain does not receive enough oxygen, it can lead to symptoms like lightheadedness and weakness. Dizziness associated with anemia often worsens upon standing up or moving quickly.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the central nervous system, disrupting the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and the body. Vertigo and balance issues are common for individuals with MS. These dizzy sensations can occur when MS causes damage to the pathways in the brain that are responsible for coordinating balance and spatial orientation.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain. While it is most known for motor symptoms like tremors and stiffness, non-motor symptoms, like lightheadedness, are also common. This dizziness can be related to orthostatic hypotension, which is a sharp drop in blood pressure when standing or changing positions. This change can cause reduced blood flow to the brain.
How Are Conditions Diagnosed?
Diagnosing the cause of dizziness requires a comprehensive approach that reviews both medical history and physical examination. A healthcare professional will typically begin by reviewing the patient’s symptoms, asking about the frequency, duration, and specific triggers of dizzy episodes. Physical examinations may include balance assessments, blood pressure measurements in different positions, or an evaluation of the nervous system to identify any underlying conditions. Diagnostic tests, like blood tests, electrocardiograms (ECGs), or imaging scans, may be performed if specific causes are suspected. These steps help determine whether dizziness stems from issues like cardiovascular problems, neurological disorders, or inner ear dysfunction.
Schedule a Consultation Today
A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is the most effective way to determine the cause of your symptoms. They can diagnose what is affecting your balance and create a personalized care plan for effective treatment. If you are experiencing persistent or severe dizziness, contact a medical provider today.
