Lightheadedness and vertigo are two common problems affecting around 30 percent of the population. Vertigo gets worse with age and is about three times more prevalent in women than men. Persistent vertigo is caused by degenerative changes, such as slowed
Lightheadedness and vertigo are two common problems affecting around 30 percent of the population. Vertigo gets worse with age and is about three times more prevalent in women than men. Persistent vertigo is caused by degenerative changes, such as slowed nerve responses and degeneration of the organs of balance, which come about as we age.
There are four sensory systems that help us maintain our sense of balance. They are primarily our vision, which can actually override the information coming from the other senses. Our sensory nerves in our joints help us to be aware of our position. Skin pressure can help us feel our body’s position and motion with respect to gravity. And importantly, the labyrinth in the inner ear contains special cells that detect motion and changes in position. Injury to the inner ear can cause balance and vertigo problems.
Vertigo is a feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when there is no actual movement. If it is severe, it can cause nausea and you may have trouble moving or even standing. This can lead to falls. In older people, vertigo and dizziness can profoundly limit social and physical activities.
Some common causes of vertigo are inner-ear disorders, injury to the head or ear, migraine headaches, decreased blood flow through the arteries or, less commonly, brain tumors or cancer.
Alcohol use and misuse with non-prescription and prescription drugs can cause lightheadedness or vertigo. This could be a result of taking too much medication, or the alcohol and prescription drug interacting. Immediate medical attention is called for if vertigo is accompanied with loss of bodily function, as it could indicate a stroke or a mini stroke (transient ischemic attack).
Simple lightheadedness is usually a feeling that you are going to faint. It does not feel as though everything is spinning, as with vertigo. Lightheadedness is often caused by a drop in blood pressure, many times when you get up too quickly from sitting or lying down. It can also be caused by the flu, colds, allergies and other conditions that stuff you up.
Lightheadedness is also sometimes caused by dehydration from fevers, vomiting or diarrhea. Stress, hyperventilation or using too much alcohol, tobacco or other drugs can also be the origin. A serious cause of lightheadedness is bleeding. Most of the time bleeding is obvious, but if it is internal you may be losing significant amounts of blood and not realize it until you are tired and dizzy.
Tests for vertigo most often are done to rule out other causes of dizziness. Tests will assess your balance, using rotation tests and movement tests. CT scans and MRI might be called for, and hearing tests are likely given.
The treatment for vertigo will depend on what cause is uncovered. The difference between being lightheaded and feeling as though you or the room are spinning is a very important distinction that helps your physician look in the right direction in order to correct your feelings of dizziness.
• Jane Riley, M.S., B.A., C.P.T., Certified Nutritional Adviser, can be reached at janerileyfitness@gmail.com, 212-1451 or www.janerileyfitness.com.
