Dizziness can have many causes. A slight dizziness after a sudden change in body position or while driving a car is a normal reaction of the body. But when the world is swinging and spinning seemingly for no reason, you need to see your doctor. Check what the causes of dizziness may be. Which diseases are manifested by vertigo?

Where does it come fromdizziness ? What could becauses of vertigo ? To understand this, it is worth learning a little about the mechanism that allows a person to maintain balance and orientation in space. It is based on the analysis of a great deal of information that is constantly transmitted to the brain via various receptors:

  • labyrinth- balance organ located in the inner ear - sends information about rotational movements of the head and about horizontal and vertical movement;
  • eyesight- helps to determine the position of the body in space and the way of moving;
  • receptors of deep touch and feelinglocated in the skin, muscles, tendons and periosteum - receive and transmit stimuli that enable orientation in the position of individual parts of the body in relation to the environment.

At least two of these systems must function flawlessly and transmit consistent information to the cerebellum - an organ that corresponds, inter alia, to for balance and motor coordination. If something starts to fail, the world can suddenly rotate.

Dizziness is a symptom, not a disease

Dizziness is never a disease itself, but it can accompany certain diseases or be a symptom of disorders in the body - more or less serious. They are most often a symptom of labyrinth disorders (e.g. after otitis media, in Ménière's disease or motion sickness, the cause of which is excessive stimulation of the labyrinth by vehicle movement and the discrepancy between the stimuli perceived by the eyesight and the labyrinth). Dizziness and imbalance, especially in the elderly, can also result from hypoxia in the brain. The reason is usually atherosclerosis leading to narrowing of blood vessels or degenerative changes in the cervical spine, which impede the flow of oxygenated blood. Diabetes and hypertension also lead to changes in the vessels that can cause cerebral hypoxia. The world can spin because of that toovision problems (e.g. poorly chosen glasses, developing glaucoma), poisoning with toxic substances or drugs (e.g. aspirin), but the culprit can also be anatomical changes in the brain (e.g. tumors).

Necessary tests in case of dizziness

Since imbalance can be a symptom of both serious and minor he alth conditions, it is always important to find out the cause. It is often not easy. Usually, after interviewing the patient and determining what other ailments accompany dizziness - e.g. nausea, double vision, muscle tremors - the primary care physician refers to a specialist, primarily an ENT specialist, ophthalmologist, neurologist, and cardiologist. In order to make a diagnosis, various tests must be performed, for example:

  • electronystagmography (ENG)- helps to detect damage to the labyrinth. The test consists in stimulating the labyrinth during the so-called caloric tests ( alternately pouring warm and cool water into the ear or blowing cold and warm air in) and, thanks to electrodes attached to the temples, computer recording of eye movements. By inducing a slight nystagmus, the function of the labyrinth can be assessed. Nystagmus are rhythmic, symmetrical movements of both eyeballs in a horizontal or slightly rotating plane, never vertical, and in the case of labyrinth diseases, also not divergent.
  • Videonystagmography (VNG)- consists in registering nystagmus by a camera coupled with a computer. Nystagmus parameters are recorded and calculated by the computer, and their evaluation allows to determine the type of damage to the equilibrium system;
  • X-ray of the cervical spine- shows degenerative changes that may impair blood flow to the brain;
  • carotid blood flow test (ultrasound Doppler)- helps to detect narrowing in the arteries causing circulatory disorders.

There are many other tests, and yet despite the wide diagnostic possibilities, it is often impossible to determine the cause of vertigo. But they always need to be treated or soothed so that they do not hinder everyday life.

Drugs recommended for balance disorders

Several types of drugs are used in pharmacological therapy. Depending on the cause of vertigo, the following medications are recommended:

  • improving blood flow through the central nervous system or the inner ear;
  • anti-aggregation, improving circulation and preventing blood clots;
  • diuretics that modify the electrolyte composition and fluid volume in the inner ear;
  • chemotherapeutic agents - anti-drugsviral or bacterial infections.

Additionally, and if the cause of the ailments is not identified, the doctor may prescribe drugs that inhibit the central nervous system. It is true that they only alleviate the annoying symptoms - dizziness, nausea, vomiting - but they enable normal functioning. Special exercises are also an important element of the therapy - their aim is to improve the body's automatic reactions responsible for maintaining balance and to improve fluidity and coordination of movements. However, they give good results only in young people, because with age the ability to adapt weakens, and after the age of 65 it practically disappears at all.

Motion sickness - you can avoid it

Dizziness, nausea, and even vomiting, cold and sweaty skin … For many people, traveling by plane, ship or car is a real torment. Fortunately, the mechanism of motion sickness is well known and can therefore be prevented. The occurrence of unpleasant symptoms is counteracted by drugs which (if taken well beforehand) inhibit the excessive activity of the autonomic nervous system. It also helps to adhere to certain rules of conduct - not overeating before traveling, if possible, taking a seat facing the direction of travel, ensuring fresh air. It is also important to look at a stable horizon, and not at waving water or flashing landscape, because this additionally irritates the labyrinth.

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