10 things to know about Dizziness
Dizziness is a common phenomenon that affects approximately 1 in 7 people during their lifetime. Impressive but not necessarily serious, its causes are multiple and are most often due to an abnormality in the function of balance.
Symptoms
Dizziness can be accompanied by various symptoms: blurred vision, feeling of dizziness, nausea that can go as far as vomiting, feeling of displacement of oneself or objects around us.
In case of loss of vision, difficulty standing, speech difficulties or uncontrolled movements, you should consult immediately.
Dizziness is often linked to an ear problem
Vertigo is often linked to an imbalance in the functioning of the inner ear.
If the dizziness is recurrent and lasts several hours, it may be due to Ménière’s disease. This pathology, whose origin is unknown, corresponds to an increase in pressure in the labyrinth.
It is accompanied by tinnitus and hearing loss.
A condition of the inner ear can also sometimes cause dizziness: otitis, middle ear cholesteatoma, infectious labyrhintitis, tumour, otosclerosis, etc.
Dizziness is sometimes linked to a sight problem
Dizziness can also be linked to a sight problem. Eye pain accompanied by a feeling of dizziness, violent headaches and sensitivity to light can be indicative of a vestibular migraine.
In more serious pathologies, it can be a stroke or multiple sclerosis. It is therefore essential to consult your doctor in the event of violent or repeated dizziness.
Position-related dizziness
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) arises from paroxysmal dysfunction of the inner ear. Characterized by short episodes of vertigo triggered by rapid changes in head position, it accounts for 30% of vertigo cases and is the most frequent reason for consultation for vertigo.
The positions that trigger vertigo are most often when the person lies down in bed at night or goes from lying down to sitting up in the morning.
Do not confuse dizziness with malaise
The discomforts can cause dizziness but are not related to a balance disorder. The symptoms are different and can lead to partial or total loss of consciousness.
They must systematically be the subject of consultation.
