Dizziness

Chances are, you’ve experienced a dizzy spell from time to time. Although dizziness is more common in people over 60, it’s still incredibly common among the greater population. It’s a wide-ranging term, and it can refer to everything from a brief moment of feeling faint to a debilitating episode that makes it impossible to complete daily activities. You may feel as if you are about to pass out or that you are floating or swimming. Some people report their heads feeling heavy or loss of balance.

What Causes Dizziness?

Dizziness is not a condition itself, but rather, a symptom of another underlying condition. There are countless causes for dizziness, so if you are having severe episodes, it’s important to contact your doctor. Some of these causes include medications, inner ear problems, and a reduced flow of blood to certain parts of the body. Other people can become dizzy when they get motion sickness or when they are experiencing severe anxiety. It can also be indicative of a concussion or anemia. Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to any other symptoms that accompany your dizziness. This can help your doctor pinpoint the cause of your discomfort and find solutions.

Should You Call a Doctor?

Because the causes of dizziness are so varied, whether to call your doctor largely depends on other symptoms you may be having. For example, if a severe headache, weakness or numbness in the face, a head injury, a high fever, or severe vomiting accompany your dizzy spell, you should contact a doctor. All of these signs can indicate a serious complication. In fact, even heart attacks or strokes could induce dizziness.

However, not all dizzy spells require the help of a medical professional. Besides thinking about other symptoms, you should also consider the length and severity of your dizziness. If you have very severe dizziness or experience the symptom for an extended period of time, you’ll know you should contact your doctor. Otherwise, there are a few things you can do to make you feel better when you’re dizzy. First, drink plenty of water. This will help hydrate your body. If dehydration is the cause of your dizziness, you may feel better after taking this step. You should also move more slowly or lie down if that seems to help. Finally, don’t consume caffeine or tobacco, as they can both make dizziness more severe.

Because it can be hard to pinpoint the underlying condition that’s causing you to feel dizzy, it’s important to seek the help of a doctor with an extensive amount of knowledge on the subject. That way, he or she will be more likely to be able to help you handle your symptoms and explore treatment options.

At Prime Medical Associates, located in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, we can help you uncover the cause of your dizziness. With the appropriate treatment, you will be on the path to complete wellness. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment. We look forward to meeting you!