- 1. Labyrinthitis
- 2. Meniere's disease
- 3. Hypoglycemia
- 4. Changes in blood pressure
- 5. Anemia
- 6. Heart problems
- 7. Use of some medications
- When do I need to go to the doctor?
Frequent dizziness is usually associated with ear problems, such as labyrinthitis or Meniere's disease, but it can also be a sign of diabetes, anemia or even heart problems. Associated with dizziness can also appear other symptoms such as lack of balance, vertigo and feeling that the head is always spinning.
In addition to these causes, dizziness may also be a symptom of anxiety attacks, episodes of low blood pressure, vision problems, migraine, or appear on very hot days, when bathing in very hot water, when you get up suddenly or when consumes alcoholic beverages excessively.
So, whenever dizziness is very frequent or is causing a lot of discomfort it is advisable to go to the general practitioner to identify if there is a problem and start the most appropriate treatment. Some of the most common causes for the presence of frequent dizziness and malaise are:
1. Labyrinthitis
Dizziness, dizziness and lack of balance can be caused by labyrinthitis, which is an inflammation of part of the ear, known as the labyrinth, which is responsible for hearing and balance. This problem is more common in the elderly, but it can happen at any age, especially in people who are very stressed or who have a history of frequent respiratory infections.
Check for signs that help identify a labyrinthitis.
What to do: If labyrinthitis is suspected, it is important to consult an otorhinolaryngologist, or general practitioner, to confirm the diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment. Treatment usually includes the use of medications indicated by the doctor, such as anti-vertigo, for the feeling of dizziness and vertigo, and anti-emetics for vomiting, nausea and malaise.
2. Meniere's disease
This is a relatively rare condition, in which the inner ear is affected and, therefore, it is very common to feel dizzy associated with the feeling that everything is spinning around. Generally, dizziness arises for periods, called crises, which may be more intense on some days than on others.
In addition to dizziness, Menière's disease also causes hearing loss for some frequencies, which can be confirmed with the audiometry test.
What to do: It is advisable to consult a general practitioner to identify if there is another cause that may be causing the dizziness or, then, seek care with an otolaryngologist and start the appropriate treatment for Menière's disease which, although not curable, can be relieved with sickness remedies like Promethazine and dietary changes. See more about this disease and how to treat it.
3. Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia, is a condition that can arise more frequently in patients with diabetes, especially when treatment is not done properly.
In these situations, when the amount of sugar is very low, dizziness and malaise are common, in addition to other symptoms such as falling sensation, cold sweats, tremors or lack of strength, for example. Learn to identify the first signs of hypoglycemia.
What to do: If a hypoglycemic attack is suspected, it is recommended to eat a food rich in simple carbohydrates, such as a glass of natural juice or 1 sweet bread, for example. If after 15 minutes, the symptoms remain, or if they get worse, you should go to the emergency room. Ideally, patients with diabetes should take blood glucose measurements before and after eating food.
4. Changes in blood pressure
Both high blood pressure and low blood pressure can make you feel dizzy and faint. However, this symptom is more common when the pressure is low, with values below 90 x 60 mmHg.
In addition to dizziness, when the pressure is low, other symptoms such as weakness, blurred vision, headache and sleep may also appear. However, it is not always easy to distinguish between high and low blood pressure because the symptoms are similar, and the best way to confirm this is to measure the pressure with a device. Here are some ways to treat low blood pressure.
What to do: Ideally, blood pressure should be measured to find out what the value is, in order to identify whether it is high or low pressure. However, when blood pressure variations are suspected, it is important to see a general practitioner to identify if there are any problems that need treatment.
5. Anemia
Dizziness and malaise can also be a symptom of anemia, which is when there is a marked decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood, which causes a reduction in the amount of oxygen and nutrients reaching the different tissues of the body.
In addition to dizziness, it is also common for other symptoms to appear, including pallor, weakness and excessive tiredness. Check out the main types of anemia and its symptoms.
What to do: To confirm whether it is anemia, it is advisable to consult a general practitioner to have a blood test to assess hemoglobin values and start treatment, if indicated. In most cases, treatment is focused on increasing the amount of iron in the body and, therefore, it may be advisable to increase the consumption of iron-rich foods, such as beans and, in some cases, to take supplements.
6. Heart problems
When you have any kind of heart problem, dizziness or malaise is common, especially due to the heart's difficulty in pumping blood to the body. However, other symptoms may also appear, such as chest pain, swelling in the legs and shortness of breath, for example. See a list of 12 signs that can indicate heart problems.
What to do: a cardiologist should be consulted whenever there is suspicion of a change in the heart, so that tests can be performed, such as an electrocardiogram or an echocardiogram, to identify the cause and start the most appropriate treatment.
7. Use of some medications
Prolonged use of some types of medication, such as seizure remedies, antidepressants, antihypertensives or sedatives can cause a side effect that causes dizziness and a feeling of weakness.
What to do: when it is suspected that dizziness is being caused by some medication, it is recommended to consult the doctor who made the prescription, so that the dose is changed or the medication.
Watch the following video and see some exercises that can help with dizziness:
When do I need to go to the doctor?
It is recommended to go to the general practitioner whenever the dizziness appears more than 2 times a day, when it appears more than 3 times a month for no apparent reason or when taking drugs to lower the pressure or to treat depression for example and, the dizziness remains for more than 15 days after the start of use, as there are drugs that cause dizziness.
The doctor will help to identify the cause of the dizziness and if treatment is needed the doctor may recommend medication, supplements, surgery or physiotherapy, depending on the disease that causes this symptom.
