How to know when your dizziness is serious

Dizziness is defined as feelings of unsteadiness, wooziness, and lightheadedness; and sensations of moving, spinning, floating, swaying, tilting, or whirling (sensations known as vertigo). These sensations occur even when standing still or lying down. Depending on the severity, it can be both frightening and, at times, incapacitating. And you may wonder if it’s a sign of a serious illness or medical condition.

If you experience dizziness with:

• A sudden or severe headache

• Ongoing vomiting

• A sudden change in speech, vision or hearing

• Stumbling or difficulty walking

• Fainting

• Chest pain or an irregular heart rate

• Numbness or weakness

• Shortness of breath

• A high fever

• A very stiff neck

• A head injury

• Seizures

Consult with your specialist or neurologist if you experience recurrent, sudden, severe dizziness or prolonged episodes of dizziness, faintness, lightheadedness or vertigo.

There are very few life-threatening causes of vertigo or dizziness if balance symptoms are the only symptoms. Although some patients with vertigo are concerned initially that they may be having a stroke or a brain tumor, that’s rarely the case without other neurological symptoms. In fact, most guidelines now do not recommend a CT scan or MRI scan as the initial workup of dizziness, even in patients who come in through the emergency room. If you seek treatment, your neurologist will base it on the cause of your condition and your symptoms. It may include medications and balance exercises. Even if no cause is found or if your dizziness persists, prescription drugs and other treatments may make your symptoms more manageable. #vertigo #dizzy #dizziness #lightheaded #faint #nausea #vomit #stroke #headache #migraine #pain #doctor #specialist #neurologist #winnielimkhoo #health #nutrition #exercise #diet #manila #philippines