Dizziness - causes, classification, symptoms, treatment

If dizziness occurs, the causes should be sought in various pathological changes in the body. This symptom does not appear out of nowhere. For example, changes in blood pressure.

A symptom such as dizziness at normal pressure or against the background of its increase often indicates various kinds of disorders of the body. Subjectively, such a paroxysm can be perceived as a displacement of surrounding objects, rotation of one’s own body.

Dizziness also includes other pathological conditions, disturbances of perception: darkening of the eyes, sudden weakness, incoordination, lightheadedness. To prescribe adequate therapy, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination, since these symptoms are characteristic of many diseases.

Description of the disease

A similar condition, when dizziness, nausea and disorientation in space are observed, leads to serious consequences, as they become a provocateur of fainting. A person may lose consciousness or be injured if they fall.

A change in coordination is not associated with the work of muscle tissue, but dizziness with the appearance of vomiting, indicating the presence of serious pathologies that require immediate treatment.

It begins to seem to a person that all objects are spinning and rotating, which leads to a feeling of nausea. That is why this condition received this name. The duration of the attack depends on various factors and ranges from 2-5 seconds to several hours.

Helpful information

Regular whirling of varying intensity in some cases causes the development of neurological abnormalities and psychological problems.

There may be several factors that can increase the likelihood of unpleasant signs appearing. These can be both pathologies of various types and physiological factors. In medicine, sudden severe dizziness, a feeling of impending vomiting, is called “orthostatic collapse.”

Balance regulation system

Several organs take part in the regulation of balance:

visual analyzer;
vestibular apparatus;
proprioceptive apparatus;
brain structures.

Visual analyzer

A person sees surrounding objects and, based on the information received, can realize his position in space. It is no coincidence that in pitch darkness sometimes instability occurs in a vertical position.

Vestibular apparatus (labyrinth)

Located in the skull in the cavity of the inner ear. Anatomically combined with the auditory analyzer. It consists of three hollow tubes (semicircular canals) located at an angle to each other, lined from the inside with a special shell with a mass of receptors and filled with liquid. When you change the position of the body (or rather, the head) in space, the liquid shifts, irritating the receptors. The transmission of information from them is carried out through the vestibular nerve, which sends impulses to intracerebral structures

Proprioceptive (somatosensory) system

All organs, muscles, ligaments and bones of the body are penetrated by millions of nerve endings. Some of them are equipped with sensitive receptors, from which the brain receives information about changes in body position. Evidence of this is the inability to maintain balance when the nerves of the limbs are damaged.

Intracerebral structures

The main center of balance is located in the cerebellum. However, there are several more structures (reticular formation, vestibular nuclei of the brain stem and cerebellum, extrapyramidal system) that perceive and process information coming from the receptor systems of the visual analyzer, vestibular apparatus and nerve endings of the body.

Disruption of the functions of any part of this incredibly complex mechanism leads to a distortion of the patient’s perception of his position in space, which is also manifested by dizziness.

How it manifests itself

Unpleasant manifestations arise in stages. At first the patient feels dizzy. It occurs abruptly and is quite intense. All objects are spinning, resulting in nausea that increases gradually.

Due to dizziness, a person loses orientation in space, as a result of which he may fall and get injured.

Among the accompanying signs are clouding or darkening of the eyes, the appearance of “spots”, dots, circles before the eyes. Vomiting, combined with other symptoms over time, can develop into vomiting, which does not always bring relief. Trembling of the limbs and weakness are also observed.

Reasons why you may feel suddenly dizzy

Each type of dizziness can be caused by various diseases. It is necessary to pay attention to the presence of one of the following ailments that provoke dizziness.

Stroke

After a stroke, the blood supply to the brain is disrupted to varying degrees. Therefore, more than eighty percent of people who have had this serious illness periodically experience dizziness.

Eye diseases

Eye diseases, in particular, deterioration of vision, leads to the fact that a person is constantly in a tense state, trying to concentrate and look at an object. This leads to additional stress on the brain. This condition can cause short-term dizziness.

Avitaminosis

Vitamin deficiency develops against the background of a lack of the required amount of vitamins in the human body. This may be due to fasting, diet and seasonality. As a result, a loss of strength occurs and vitality decreases. This weakened state leads to dizziness.

Pathologies of the cardiovascular system

All types discussed above are associated with disorders of the central or peripheral nervous system. Its elements do not receive sufficient nutrition and oxygen supply if the heart and blood vessels malfunction. As a result, brain activity is disrupted, and you often feel dizzy.

Infectious viral diseases

These diseases often lead to infection of the inner ear. They can also lead to serious consequences such as pneumonia or heart damage. All this leads to dizziness.

Vegetovascular dystonia (VSD)

People suffering from this disease experience dizziness quite often. This is caused by surges in blood pressure readings. Low blood pressure is especially dangerous. Insufficiently intensive work of blood vessels leads to the fact that the blood circulates slowly, and the brain experiences oxygen starvation. Sometimes even loss of consciousness is possible.

Hypoglycemia

Everyone knows that sugar is the main source of energy for humans. When there is a lack of glucose in the blood cells, all cells of the body experience a nutritional deficiency. The body works in energy saving mode. Due to starvation of brain cells, the head becomes dizzy and a pre-fainting state occurs.

Neck and head injuries

When the head and neck are injured, damage and pinching of the vessels that supply blood directly to the brain often occur. This leads to its limited functioning.

Blood diseases

Blood is the main carrier of nutrients and oxygen to all cells of the body. In case of blood diseases, for example, anemia, a failure occurs in the transport function. The central nervous system is working hard, not receiving enough nutrition. Weakness and dizziness occur.

Main causes of the disease

Regular manifestation of orthostatic collapse, combined with incoordination, most often indicates the presence of certain diseases. Severe manifestations accompany about 80 different pathologies, which can only be determined by a doctor based on diagnostic results.

The causes of severe dizziness and loss of coordination of movement, accompanied by the urge to vomit, may be the following:

Various types of cranial injuries. The intensity of the symptoms depends on the type of injury and their severity. In certain cases, severe impairment or complete loss of certain body functions occurs. This occurs as a result of swelling of the brain. Whirling occurs against the background of damage to the integrity of blood vessels, pinched nerve endings, and swelling of organ tissue.
BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). Pathology develops as a result of otitis media, injuries, poisoning of the body with various substances, infectious lesions and is a complication of such diseases. It manifests itself in the form of attacks with a sharp change in the position of the body in space. When a disease is detected, a course of physical therapy is prescribed.
Vestibular neuronitis. It begins to develop after a viral infection or drug poisoning. The main symptom of the disease is intense whirling, accompanied by nausea. Patients also complain of darkening of the eyes and vomiting. When you turn your head, the symptoms increase.
Meniere's disease. It is established in 6% of cases of regular manifestations of whirling and loss of coordination. Women talk about the appearance of a special feeling of pressure. It occurs as a result of increased fluid in the inner ear. Associated symptoms include decreased quality of hearing and vision, nausea, and vomiting. In certain cases, discoordination and loss of orientation in space are observed. When the use of medications does not have a positive effect, surgery is prescribed.
Vertebro-basilar insufficiency. It always manifests itself sharply, regardless of what a person is doing. More often observed in women. It begins with intense dizziness, accompanied by double vision, loss of orientation in space and coordination of movements, and nausea. Patients talk about disturbances in speech and thought processes. One of the fundamental factors in the occurrence of unpleasant manifestations is poor circulation in the brain. The changes are irreversible. That is why, if orthostatic collapse constantly appears, it is necessary to contact a medical facility.
Labyrinthitis. It is a complication of colds, which are accompanied by an inflammatory process. The pathology manifests itself in the form of prolonged attacks, accompanied by a decrease in the quality of hearing, vomiting and hyperthermia. If such a disease is diagnosed, women are prescribed a course of antibiotics. But even after treatment, hearing loss is observed.
Migraine. It often occurs in women against a background of constant stress, depression, physical, psychological and mental stress. Always accompanied by a headache that occurs after intense and sudden whirling. Associated symptoms include weakness, confusion, nausea, and a negative reaction to light and sounds. Symptoms worsen even with minor movements.
Cerebrovascular insufficiency. Characterized by impaired blood circulation in the brain due to blood circulation or diabetes mellitus. As a result of the complications that occur, the lumen of the blood vessels narrows, ischemia develops, accompanied by tinnitus and intense headache. Provoking factors for cerebrovascular insufficiency include obesity, regular drinking, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle. Treatment is always complex. Women are prescribed a diet and medications. It is also important to lead a healthy lifestyle and give up bad habits.
Neoplasms of various types. In this case, the symptoms are paroxysmal in nature. The intensity and frequency of orthostatic collapse depends on the volume and location of the tumors. There is also a persistent feeling of impending vomiting and squeezing. As the tumor grows, blood circulation in the brain is disrupted.
Cardiovascular diseases. They also become a provocateur of the development of orthostatic collapse, as a result of which a person loses orientation in space and incoordination occurs.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. An attack often occurs with osteochondrosis. The disease is characterized by the destruction of bone and cartilage tissue of the spine, as a result of which blood circulation in the brain is disrupted. As accompanying symptoms, limited motor activity at the site of injury and pain in the injured area are noted.

There can be many reasons for orthostatic collapse. If severe symptoms occur regularly, you must visit a doctor who will conduct an examination and prescribe a course of therapy.

Helpful information

An attack of whirling is not always evidence of the presence of dangerous pathologies. In some cases, unpleasant symptoms arise as a result of physiological factors. However, such a condition is not a deviation.

Often, mild orthostatic collapse occurs in a person who has to speak in front of a large audience or before an important meeting.

Such a reaction is normal, and unpleasant symptoms disappear immediately after the excitement stops. They appear against the background of the release of large amounts of adrenaline. The substance provokes a spasm of muscle tissue, which causes the vessels supplying the brain to narrow, which provokes poor circulation.

Whirling and a feeling of impending vomiting also occur when traveling in various types of transport or riding an attraction. Then discoordination and loss of spatial orientation are observed. This condition occurs as a result of improper functioning of the vestibular apparatus. The brain is not able to correctly and timely bring all the signals together. This is what leads to dizziness.

Signs occur at altitude, which is also not a violation. Among the physiological reasons are excessive physical exertion, adaptation of the body to new conditions in astronauts, and a sharp change in body position in space.

Women who follow a strict diet suffer from similar attacks. The lack of a constant supply of glucose in the blood becomes a provocateur of brain starvation. This is what causes unpleasant symptoms.

Dizziness in children and adolescents

When examining and treating children, age indicators are also taken into account. Thus, in preschoolers and young schoolchildren, dizziness is often physiological in nature due to increased physical activity.

Therefore, when characteristic symptoms occur, anamnesis is carefully collected and differential diagnosis is carried out in order to exclude pathologies.

During puberty, the endocrine system has a decisive influence on the state of the body of representatives of both sexes. That is, the causes of dizziness in women of different ages and adolescents are approximately the same - hormonal fluctuations.

In addition, the factor of overfatigue is taken into account, since often the educational load, combined with a general increased activity, turns out to be too much for a growing body.

First aid

In cases where a person standing next to you experiences an attack of nausea, it is important to provide assistance to him. This is due to the fact that he loses his balance and may fall and injure himself.

First of all, the victim needs to be laid down. The head should be raised. It is important to provide fresh air. To do this, open windows and doors, unfasten the top buttons of clothing, and remove the scarf.

To alleviate the condition, the temple area should be moistened with cold water. You should also call an ambulance.

When an attack occurs and there is no one nearby, you should not panic. This will cause an increased release of adrenaline, which can worsen the condition.

In addition, you need to sit or lie down in a comfortable position. You need to keep your head level, close your eyes and take several deep, slow breaths. This will allow you to calm down.

It is also important to call a doctor, especially if the intensity of the symptoms increases or other symptoms occur. If attacks persist, it is necessary to contact a medical facility and undergo a series of diagnostic measures.

Losing your balance in the dark

There may be cases of loss of balance in the dark. The disorder may occur due to chronic vestibular dysfunction. Increased symptoms in the dark are due to the fact that in such a situation vision cannot compensate for the defect. As a result, simply going to fetch water at night will cause significant difficulty and often end in a fall. Loss of balance in the dark is caused by drug intoxication, damage to the cerebellum, and disorders in the cervical spine. If the cerebellum is damaged, visual control is not important and the person will constantly experience a feeling of loss of balance.

Diagnostics

To make an accurate diagnosis, the specialist conducts a series of studies. If you have frequent attacks, you should contact a neurologist. The doctor prescribes the following methods:

Additional symptoms

The state of dizziness is divided into two types - systemic and non-systemic. Systemic syndrome. Associated with damage to the peripheral or central parts of one of the systems of the vestibular apparatus.

Peripheral changes are associated with the destruction of bone canals, vestibulocochlear nerves of the nucleus and others.

This pathology is accompanied by irritation of the nucleus of the brain stem and cerebellum of the vestibular system.

Main symptom:

sensation of the body in space.

Physiology of non-systemic syndrome. Associated with pathological changes or the presence of diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, etc.).

Non-systemic malaise is accompanied by a state of kinetosis - prolonged rotation, with a sharp change in speed of movement, tracking the movement of objects.

Main symptoms:

darkening of the eyes;
a feeling of lightheadedness that may cause nausea;
exacerbation or loss of vision, taste, smell;
vomit.

Dizziness can occur in different positions: sitting, lying, when turning the head, etc.

Particular attention is paid to this phenomenon in a horizontal position, both during the day and at night.

Seizures have the following symptoms:

the feeling that the walls and ceiling suddenly begin to approach you;
a dream in which you are haunted by the feeling of your own rotating body;
feeling of objects floating around;
severe anxiety with the constancy of such sensations;
nausea, headaches;
severe vomiting, weakness.

Feelings are often heightened if you change position.

Systemic kinesthetics (muscular, tactile, proprioceptive, tactile, visual sensations) can be replaced by a non-systemic syndrome.

This occurs when posture is unstable, the functions of the vestibulatory apparatus and other organs are inconsistent.

Treatment

The course of therapy is selected individually for each patient, depending on the disease that caused the appearance of such manifestations. Treatment is carried out using medications or other methods.

To restore blood circulation, relieve symptoms and eliminate the root cause, the following groups of drugs are used:

Nootropics. Allows you to normalize blood circulation in the brain.
Hormonal. They are used when one of the factors causing symptoms is a hormonal imbalance.
Angioprotectors. Necessary to strengthen vascular walls and prevent the occurrence of negative factors.
Antibiotics. Prescribed when determining the presence of an infection of various types. Drugs are selected individually depending on the type of pathogenic microorganisms.

Vitamin complexes are also used. They help strengthen the immune system. All medications are prescribed only by the attending physician. The specialist also determines the required dosage and duration of administration.

In some cases, unpleasant symptoms are not evidence of the presence of dangerous diseases. They can be easily eliminated using other methods of therapy. They are also used as additional therapy to improve the effect of the main course.

First of all, physical therapy is prescribed. Exercise helps restore blood flow. The first few classes are supervised by a specialist. The patient then performs them independently.

The complex is aimed at relieving fatigue in the lower extremities and restoring balance. In cases where treatment was started quite late and the disease progressed, the patient has to relearn how to move smoothly and gently.

Massage of those areas where there is a violation is also effective. Most often it is prescribed for osteochondrosis. The number of courses is determined by the attending physician. The procedure is carried out only by a specialist.

It is important to know that self-medication for regular attacks of nausea, dizziness and changes in coordination can lead to serious consequences. Alternative treatment methods can only be used after an accurate diagnosis and consultation with a doctor.

Dizziness in women

The described symptom occurs in representatives of both sexes, and occurs under the same pathological conditions of the body.

For reference. However, dizziness and its causes in women often have a direct connection with physiological characteristics. The work of any organism, regardless of gender, is regulated by hormones.

While men's hormonal levels are fairly stable, women experience changes every month.

In addition, the occurrence of dizziness is characteristic of pregnancy and menopause. This is usually due to a deficiency of estrogen, which affects vascular tone and the rheological properties of the blood.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of orthostatic collapse attacks, experts recommend following a number of preventive measures:

Be attentive to your own health. It is necessary to undergo annual examinations that will allow timely detection of the disease at an early stage of its development.
To refuse from bad habits. Drinking alcohol and smoking have a negative effect on blood vessels and the body as a whole.
Avoid excessive physical, mental and psycho-emotional stress. You should not worry, be stressed or depressed.
Eat properly. The diet should contain fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and berries. They contain a large amount of vitamins and beneficial microelements. You need to completely avoid or limit fatty, salty, smoked foods and instant foods.
To live an active lifestyle. Light physical activity will not only keep your body in good shape, but also reduce the risk of developing serious diseases.
Observe the work and rest schedule. This will prevent overwork.
Sleep at least 8 hours a day. Adequate sleep is important for health and psycho-emotional state.

If unpleasant signs constantly appear in the form of circling, incoordination and a feeling of impending vomiting, you should consult a doctor. Only a specialist can determine the exact cause of their appearance and conduct a course of therapy.

Severe manifestations often indicate the presence of serious and dangerous diseases. They are often accompanied by other symptoms and get worse over time if left untreated. That is why they should not be ignored. It is also not recommended to self-medicate, since the use of traditional methods can lead to a worsening of the condition.

Symptoms accompanying dizziness

Usually, if you feel dizzy after overload or due to prolonged rotation, this is not accompanied by any additional factors. However, in the case of pathology, such symptoms occur. Most often these include:

trembling in the limbs;
the appearance of strange glares and flashes before the eyes;
general fatigue, lethargy and drowsiness;
increased heart ;
problems with hearing and smell;
rapid breathing rate;
severe sensitivity to smell.

The persistent manifestation of each of these symptoms may indicate the development of a serious illness, the treatment of which requires medical attention.