What Causes Dizziness?
Dizziness can also be known as lightheadedness and is a relatively common problem, though it should still be checked out by a doctor.
Dizziness symptoms can be rather vague, which makes it difficult to identify the underlying causes, though we list some of the most common ones below:
- Viral Illness Affecting the Ear: This may result in a severe form of dizziness known as vertigo.
- Stress: This is especially the case if you are prone to hyperventilation.
- Low Blood Sugar: A common problem for people with diabetes.
- Migraine: You may experience dizziness before the migraine pain or even if the pain doesn’t come at all.
- Dehydration/Heat Exhaustion: You may not drink enough fluids during exercise or when you’re out in the heat. These problems can also arise due to an illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea.
- Sudden Drop in Blood Pressure: This can happen in older people when they stand up or sit down too quickly. This issue is also known as postural hypertension and tends to go away when you lie down.
When Should I Have Dizziness Treated?
Dizziness is not something you should simply ignore; contact your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Fainting
- Frequent and persistent symptoms
- If nausea or vomiting increases or persists
If you are suffering from dizziness, you could fall and be afflicted with more injuries, so listen to the following advice:
- Lie down for a couple of minutes to allow blood to flow to your brain.
- Get bed rest, as dizziness may arise as a symptom of a viral illness or a cold or flu.
- Never operate equipment, drive a vehicle, or climb a ladder.
- Avoid substances like caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, as they can affect your circulation.
- Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, fruit juice mixed with water, weak tea, and rehydration drinks to avoid dehydration.
Chiropractic Treatment for Dizziness
Vertigo is one of the most severe forms of dizziness, and an increasing number of patients find chiropractic treatment to be effective. However, you can utilize the skills of a chiropractor regardless of your form of dizziness. It is possible for faulty motion patterns in your upper neck to result in misinformation about body movement and position to be sent from the joints to your brain. Manipulation can prevent this from occurring, and studies suggest chiropractic manipulation is effective in the treatment of up to 90 percent of vertigo cases.
After a thorough examination, your chiropractor may be able to determine the cause of your dizziness and recommend a tailored program based on exercise designed to target the vestibulocochlear system. This is the true balance center of the body and is located in the inner ear. If a chiropractor discovers your dizziness is due to an inner ear issue, he or she may perform the Epley Maneuver; this can reposition debris that may settle on sensitive areas within the inner ear, thus causing dizziness.
The majority of the time, chiropractic treatment can reduce or even eliminate dizziness from your life. With knowledge of your problem, a chiropractor can recommend specific exercises that yield terrific results.