It’s very hot. We haven’t eaten. We traveled by car. We got up suddenly after lying down for a long time. It is likely that in one of these situations we have experienced a sudden dizziness that threatens to make us fall to the ground or leave us dazed.

Most people know and possibly have suffered from some dizziness in their lives. But what is it and why does it happen? In this article we will talk about dizziness, its causes, symptoms and treatment .

Dizziness: definition and main symptoms

The concept of dizziness refers to a feeling of acute and sudden discomfort that appears in various situations such as sudden movements, alterations in blood glucose levels or stress. It is not a disorder in itself but usually a symptom of some kind of alteration in our body.

The main symptoms that indicate that we are dizzy are the presence of vertigo (in which there is a sensation that things are spinning) and of the sensation of alteration or narrowness of consciousness in the form of dulling , which can come together with a limitation of the perceptive field that we attend to.

Blurred vision, headache, and agitation are common. Another typical element is postural instability and loss of muscle tone. The cardiorespiratory rhythm is usually altered and it is not uncommon for digestive symptoms such as nausea or vomiting to appear.

Sometimes it leads to temporary loss of consciousness, in the form of syncope, and we may experience mental slowing and speech difficulties, as well as profuse sweating and ringing in the ears.

Types of dizziness

There are various classifications of dizziness according to aspects such as its persistence or mode of appearance, although it can appear in different disorders and syndromes such as vertigo. Next we will see one of them, concretely the one reflected by GAES.

1. Acute dizziness

This type of dizziness occurs suddenly and lasts a few hours before disappearing on its own, as if it were an outbreak. This outbreak will reappear some time later. It often appears together with hearing loss .

2. Sudden dizziness

It is characterized by a sudden onset of feelings of instability and discomfort. Although it persists for a period that can last for months, it diminishes over time. Within this type is the well-known benign postural vertigo , caused by sudden movements, or that of ear inflammations.

3. Persistent dizziness

The most worrying one is usually associated with nervous or cerebral alterations or even tumours , the persistent dizziness is the one that occurs in an insidious way and that increases progressively with time.

Why do they occur?

The causes of dizziness are usually minor and easily treatable, although it should always be borne in mind that they may be symptoms of the existence of pathologies of greater or lesser severity.

In this sense, it is not a bad idea to go to a doctor if it is accompanied by other symptoms or no specific cause can be attributed to it. The alteration usually occurs at the level of the vestibular system or affects it or the integration of the information it provides.

1. Nutrition and hydration

One of the reasons why we can get dizzy is linked to the excessive presence or absence of certain nutrients in our body through our diet, or lack of hydration.

For example, one of the most common times we suffer from dizziness is when we have a hypoglycemia . In these cases the absence of sufficient blood glucose generates weakness and dizziness that can lead to fainting.

Dizziness from this disorder can come from not eating enough or being anemic, exercising in such a way that we burn off the blood sugar, or suffering from diseases such as diabetes (in which case it can be dangerous and sugar has been consumed quickly). The absence of other essential components such as iron can also lead to dizziness from anemia.

2. Blood pressure

Increased or decreased blood pressure is another reason why dizziness may occur. Being exposed to excessive temperatures can cause us to become dizzy. The same applies to lack of hydration.

3. Movement

Another reason why dizziness can appear is when accelerating or decelerating movements are made that cause our visual and vestibular systems to contradict each other. For example when faced with sudden and rapid movements or during trips in different types of vehicles (this is the case of motion sickness).

4. Hormones and medications

Taking some medications can cause dizziness as a side effect, as can hormones. It is not unusual for example to appear during menstruation or pregnancy .

5. Serious illnesses

As we have sometimes said, the disturbances that generate dizziness can be serious. Dizziness can indicate the existence of cardiovascular problems such as myocardial or cerebral infarction, diabetes mellitus (whether or not it is known in advance by the patient), alterations in the composition of the blood, infections such as herpes, problems in the spine or the inner ear or even tumours.

Finally, we can find dizziness caused by psychological causes: stress, depression, anxiety or phobias sometimes generate this type of discomfort.

Treatment

In most cases, dizziness occurs sporadically and does not require treatment. However, in cases where the treatment to be used will depend on the specific cause of the dizziness.

For example, if it is due to a medical illness, the treatment in question will depend on the affected area that causes it and the illness itself. In the case of anaemia or food-related problems , changes in the diet should be started and exercise should be scheduled accordingly.

Increasing the blood pressure level by hydration or administration of medication or serum as appropriate may also be necessary, as well as avoiding exposure to high temperatures for too long. Establishing sufficient rest periods, eating properly, and leading an active life are usually highly recommended.

In the case of dizziness linked to psychological problems such as stress , the consumption of tranquillizers and the performance of therapies such as habituation or relaxation are very useful, as well as learning new ways of coping with situations can be very helpful.