Feeling dizzy? Doctors explained when it is a worrying symptom 0 5

How dizziness occurs

The main reason is that the connection between the brain and the inner ear, where the vestibular apparatus is located, is disrupted. It is responsible for balance and spatial orientation. When the information coming from the sensory organs does not match the data received from the ear, the brain gets confused and tries to restore balance. Hence the feeling of instability, nausea, weakness, pallor, and sweating.

This can happen, for example, during motion sickness. In such situations, there is no need to worry — the unpleasant condition usually passes quickly and is not dangerous.

When dizziness is normal

Short-term dizziness can occur for quite explainable reasons:

• after consuming alcohol;

• due to side effects of medications;

• during dehydration or overheating;

• with anemia and low blood sugar levels;

• against the background of infections;

• after intense physical exertion.

In these cases, dizziness disappears after eliminating the provoking factor.

When to be concerned

Sometimes dizziness is a signal of serious disorders. Pay attention if:

• the episodes occur frequently or last longer than a few minutes;

• along with dizziness, there is numbness, weakness, speech or vision disturbances.

This combination of symptoms may indicate a stroke — one of the most dangerous conditions.

How to recognize a stroke

You can check a person using a simple test:

• Ask them to smile — if the smile is crooked, it is a worrying sign.

• Ask them to close their eyes and raise their arms — in a stroke, one of them is raised lower.

• Ask them to repeat a short phrase, for example: “I am fine.” If the person cannot clearly pronounce the words, emergency medical assistance should be called immediately.

The same test can be applied to yourself if you feel strange symptoms.

Dizziness when standing up

If you feel dark in your eyes or dizzy when getting up quickly from bed, it is likely a case of orthostatic hypotension — a temporary drop in blood pressure. This is a common and non-dangerous condition, most often related to dehydration.

Drink enough water, especially in hot weather and during intense physical activities — this will help normalize blood circulation.

When migraine is to blame

Many believe that a migraine is only a severe pulsating pain. However, dizziness can also be a manifestation of it. Attacks often last from several hours to several days and may be accompanied by increased sensitivity to light and sounds.

After a head injury

Dizziness can occur after an injury. Even a mild bruise can disrupt the functioning of the vestibular apparatus. If dizziness occurs after a blow, along with nausea, confusion, or double vision — a doctor's examination is necessary.

During workouts

During physical exertion, dizziness is often related to dehydration or hyperventilation — excessively rapid breathing. In this case, the level of carbon dioxide in the blood decreases, causing mild dizziness.

If you drink enough water, but the symptoms still recur even during light exercises, it is worth checking the heart and blood vessels.

What a sudden headache indicates

A sudden severe headache is a reason to see a doctor. This symptom may be associated with a disruption of the blood vessels, endocrine system, or internal organs.

Possible causes:

• consequences of a traumatic brain injury;

• infectious diseases;

• migraine;

• increased arterial or intracranial pressure.

If the pain becomes more intense, it may indicate inflammatory processes or chronic disorders that require treatment.

How to recognize the type of pain

• Pulsating pain often indicates hypertension or increased intracranial pressure.

• Sudden sharp pain may be the result of a vessel spasm or nerve compression.

• Prolonged pain is a signal of chronic pathologies or even tumors.

Dangerous conditions

Hypertension is one of the common causes of headaches. It is provoked by atherosclerosis, excess weight, stress, and physical overexertion. With increased pressure, facial flushing, rapid pulse, nausea, and dizziness may occur.

A stroke is accompanied by sudden pain, nausea, pallor, and weakness. Sometimes a person loses consciousness but may remain conscious with impaired speech or coordination.

The main thing is not to ignore the body's signals

Headaches and dizziness are not separate diseases but signs of disorders in the body. They can be harmless or indicate serious pathologies. Therefore, in the case of recurring or worsening symptoms, it is important not to delay a visit to the doctor and undergo an examination.