Dizziness Specialist

What is dizziness?

Dizziness is a symptom that feels like faintness, wooziness, unsteadiness, or weakness. It creates the sensation of a room spinning or moving around you when it’s not. 

A variety of conditions can cause dizziness, many of which are harmless, but some are serious. That’s why seeing a doctor at the first sign of dizziness is important. 

What are the symptoms of dizziness?

Common sensations you might notice with dizziness include:

• Lightheadedness
• A sense of spinning or motion
• Loss of balance
• Unsteadiness
• A floating sensation 
• Heavy headedness
• Wooziness

These sensations often worsen when you stand up, walk, or move your head around. You could also have nausea with dizziness. Complications you’re at risk of with dizziness include falling down and injuring yourself, or even getting in a car accident.

What are the common causes of dizziness?

Many conditions can cause you to become dizzy. Examples include:

• Inner ear problems
• Vertigo 
• Viral infections
• Inner ear fluid buildup
• Migraines
• Sudden drop in blood pressure
• Circulation problems
• Some medications
• Neurological disorders
• Low blood sugar
• Low iron levels
• Anxiety disorders
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Being overheated
• Dehydration

Factors that increase your risk of dizziness include older age, family history of dizziness, and past episodes of feeling dizzy. 

How does my doctor diagnose the cause of dizziness?

To figure out what’s causing dizziness and develop an effective treatment, your Doctors United specialist discusses your medical history, reviews your symptoms, checks your blood pressure and other vital signs, and completes a physical examination.

They may have you undergo blood tests, nerve tests, eye and head movement testing, balance tests, MRIs, or CT scans to detect or rule out underlying causes of dizziness. Doctors United has a neurologist on staff to evaluate possible brain, spinal cord, and nerve issues.

What are the common treatments for dizziness?

Common treatments your doctor may recommend to reduce dizziness include:

Lifestyle changes

Things you can do at home to reduce dizziness include not making sudden head movements, eating nutritious foods, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, keeping stress levels low, and avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. Avoid overheating and make medication changes if your doctor recommends it.

Medications

Taking certain medicines can reduce dizziness or its underlying cause. Your doctor lets you know which medications, if any, are right for you.

Head position maneuvers

Your Doctors United provider can show you head position maneuvers to complete in the office and at home to eliminate some causes of dizziness. 

Balance therapy

Doing balance exercises can make your body’s balance system less sensitive to motion, reducing dizziness caused by inner ear conditions. 

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can diminish the dizziness you may experience because of anxiety disorders.

Injections

Your doctor offers injections for your inner ear to alter its balance function, allowing the unaffected ear to take over balance.

Chiropractic care

Chiropractic manipulation can reduce some underlying causes of dizziness to help you feel better. 

Surgery

If other treatments haven’t worked and you still get dizzy, your specialist may recommend surgery to remove the inner ear sense organ and diminish unpleasant symptoms. 

To find out what’s causing your dizziness and get treated for it, schedule an appointment with Doctors United by phone or online today.