Dizziness can be caused by different health problems or certain pathologies, such as Ménière’s disease, it is important to recognize them in order to react.
- “Dizziness is an illusion of movement of what is around us or a sensation of movement of oneself in space” specifies Health Insurance.
- They can be due to many causes including a balance disorder.
- It is important to consult a doctor if dizziness persists.
“Vertigo is an illusion of movement of the surroundings (walls, ceiling, objects, etc.) or a sensation of movement of oneself in space”, indicates the site of Health Insurance. Often an illness or health problem is the cause of vertigo. Understanding its cause allows it to be treated.
Abnormal otolith deposition can cause BPPV
Dizziness is caused by a balance disorder. In the body, the vestibular system, a part of the inner ear that has semicircular canals, ensures balance. These canals are filled with a liquid in which microscopic pebbles or small crystals called otoliths float. They always remain horizontal and thus adapt to the position of the body.
Movement information given by the inner ear is transmitted by the vestibular nerve to the nerve centers of the brain. The brain then commands the body to take actions to maintain balance.
Abnormal otolith deposition in one of the semicircular canals can cause benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Therefore, when there is a movement such as a change in position, the otoliths malfunction and the brain interprets this as a sudden rotation of the head. Dizziness is the only symptom of this pathology.
“If your dizziness lasts only a few seconds and happens when you turn your head or turn over in bed, you probably have BPPV. noted Dr. Mina Le, otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon at Mountainside Medical Group in New Jersey, United States, in this article. A doctor can confirm this diagnosis with a Dix-Hallpike test.“It is then necessary to replace the otoliths in the inner ear through the Epley maneuver.
Dizziness can also be caused by Ménière’s disease
Ménière’s disease can also cause dizziness. It is defined by the MSD Manual as an inner ear disorder causing dizziness, nausea, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. It is due to an imbalance in the pressure of fluids in the inner ear.
Vertigo attacks last from 20 minutes to 12 hours and, more rarely, up to 24 hours. “Treatment begins with a low-salt diet, reduced caffeine, and diuretic pills to decompress the inner ear.“, explains Dr. Mina Le. The goal is to reduce the pressure of the fluids in the inner ear. However, the Vidal indicates that a progressive loss of hearing occurs in the affected ear in most cases.
Dizziness can have other causes
Another cause of dizziness is vestibular neuritis. It is an inflammatory lesion of the vestibular nerve, often of viral origin. The patient suffers from attacks of vertigo so intense that they require bed rest. Dr. Mina Le adds that this dizziness “cause nausea and vomiting, (vestibular neuritis) improves within a few days and disappears within a few weeks.“
Other possible causes are specified by Health Insurance:
- Damage to the inner ear which may result from head trauma affecting the area behind the ear, chronic otitis, taking certain medications toxic to the ear or even lead poisoning, mercury or carbon monoxide.
- Damage to the auditory nerve, often associated with tinnitus and unilateral deafness.
- A disease of the brainstem or cerebellum.
In case your dizziness is not caused by these causes, it could be linked to a vestibular migraine. “The first step is to identify and eliminate common migraine factors such as stress, lack of sleep and dietary elements such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), preservatives, alcohol and caffeine”, says Dr. Mina Le.
In any case, if dizziness persists, it is best to consult your doctor to make a diagnosis and follow appropriate treatment.