Main Menu




Dizziness

The brain and three important systems within the body—the eyes, the inner ears, and the peripheral nerves—work together to control our ability to orient ourselves in the world in which we live. The eyes give the brain important spatial information. The fluid shifting within a very sensitive portion of the inner ear tells the brain how the body is positioned in space. The peripheral nerves, communicating with the brain through the spinal chord, send continuous information to the brain that helps coordinate balance. When any one of these systems is adversely affected, a person may experience unsteadiness or dizziness. The heart and blood vessels are also important to maintaining the function of these systems, for they carry life-sustaining oxygen and nutrients that help maintain consciousness and function.

Because so many of the body’s vital structures are important to maintaining balance, dizziness may be a sign of serious underlying illness. On the other hand, many common, minor conditions may affect a person’s balance. For instance, infections or diseases of the inner ear can cause a sensation of dizziness commonly referred to as “vertigo.” Normal aging and/or diabetes may result in progressive loss of nervous system function that over time may result in difficulty with balance and walking.

Below we list some of the symptoms of the more common inner ear disturbances and peripheral nerve dysfunctions that may not require immediate medical attention. After this, we have listed the symptoms and causes of more serious causes of dizziness for which you must seek medical intervention.

Common, Less Serious Causes of Dizziness

Benign Positional Vertigo: When experiencing vertigo, you may feel that either you or your environment is whirling or spinning. You may experience attacks when you change head position to the right or left, or when turning in or rising out of bed. Attacks usually last a few seconds. Other inner ear conditions such as Meniere’s Disease or Viral Labrynthitis (a viral infection of the inner ear) may cause attacks of vertigo that last minutes to hours. With Meniere’s Disease you may experience ringing or fullness in the ear and progressive hearing loss. With any of these inner ear conditions, the person usually feels fine between attacks.

Other Inner Ear Disorders: Bacterial infections or allergic conditions may inflame or congest the balancing mechanisms of the inner ear, creating a sense of dizziness. These conditions are suggested by symptoms related to the sinus cavities of the face and the ear, sore throat, or allergies.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Many conditions may cause a progressive degeneration of the peripheral nerves, called Peripheral Neuropathy. When nerves degenerate, you may experience unsteadiness when walking or standing. Excessive walking during your travels may aggravate this process. Peripheral Neuropathy is common in persons of advanced age or with long-standing diabetes.

Diabetics often have an accompanying numbness or tingling of the feet. They typically stand or walk with legs wide apart to assist with balance. When the eyes are closed, unsteadiness and imbalance often become worse. However, unless the physical effects are progressing rapidly, you may delay consultation with a doctor until you return home.

Other Common Conditions:

Dizziness may also be caused by medications (especially blood pressure medications), anxiety disorders, or excessive consumption of drugs, alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine. If you start a new medication or change dosage you may experience dizziness.

Signs or Symptoms of More Serious Causes of Dizziness

If you experience any of the above symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

More Serious Causes of Dizziness

The above symptoms may be the result of one or more of the conditions below. Clearly these require medical intervention as soon as possible.

  • Brain tumors or masses
  • Stroke
  • Heart disease or low blood pressure
  • Profound dehydration
  • Anemia or blood loss
  • Blood vessel disease of the head and neck