Neurologist and dizziness specialist Kevin A. Kerber of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor offers the following explanation:
In general, the most common causes of dizziness are activities everyone experiences, at least as children, namely running around in circles or riding carnival attractions that spin, loop or twist. These movements cause an asymmetry in the signals that stem from the vestibular system--a sensory system situated on each side of the head in the inner ear compartments--and that are processed in the brain. This alteration leads to the sensation known as dizziness during, and even for some time after, the provoking event.
But dizziness can also occur as an unprovoked and severe episodic or even constant occurrence--an understandable source of distress for the person experiencing it. In fact, dizziness is one of the most common reasons for a visit to a doctor's office. The first step in determining the cause of dizziness is to clarify exactly what the individual is experiencing. The most common types of dizziness are vertigo, light-headedness and imbalance.
Vertigo refers to the sensation of being in a spinning environment. At rest, continuous and balanced signals from the peripheral vestibular system keep the eyes stationary via connections in the brain. When the head moves, a physiological imbalance in the signals leads to small movements of the eyes that keep vision optimal. When a sudden abnormality in the balance of the signals occurs, the result is a pattern of eye movements referred to as nystagmus. When the eyes move in this fashion, the world is perceived to be rotating even though the person remains still. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common variety of vertigo that is caused by aberrant stimulation of the vestibular system by small, displaced particles in the inner ear fluid chambers. Though particle displacement can be caused by head trauma, oftentimes we do not know what causes it. When the head is turned in certain directions, the particles shift, triggering nystagmus and thus the symptom of vertigo. Other common causes of vertigo are too much fluid in the inner ear chambers, commonly known as Meniere's disease, or a viral infection of the vestibular system on one side. Vertigo can also occur when a brain condition, such as a tumor, stroke or multiple sclerosis, infringes on the vestibular pathways.
Light-headedness is a very different type of dizziness that does not involve the apparent movement of the environment. Instead, patients with this type of dizziness generally feel as though they are floating or as though they may faint. Common causes of light-headedness include decreased blood flow to the brain, a medication side effect, or extreme anxiety.
Some patients describe dizziness not as a sensation in their head, but rather as a feeling of being off-balance when walking. These individuals often have impairment of sensory inputs to the brain or impairment of the brain's ability to interpret these inputs, the most common being nerves in the feet, the peripheral vestibular system and the visual system. Disorders of the cerebellum, the brain region where the sensory signals are processed, can also lead to imbalance.
I recommend a visit to a physician if dizziness occurs for an unknown reason. Oftentimes, a correctable cause, typically BPPV or a side effect of a medicine, can be quickly identified. Other, more serious causes should be ruled out as well.
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6 Comments
Add CommentMy mother has the exact same problem she cannot seem to do anything to fix it either. Now I am experiencing almost the same thing and the doctors are not sure what it is being caused by. If you get treatment and it works please let me know.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSee an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist or a Dizziness & Balance clinic. They will teach you the Epley Manuever to gain some relief. This worked for me, it took several visits, but I have been mostly vertigo free since 2005
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHi
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisfor the past 2 years same time that i had some personal problems I have noticed that when the weather is about to change o barometric pressure changes Ex. from sunny to cloudy i feel Dizzy, Depressed & dry eyes.
This Symptoms occur mostly from 9am to 6pm may be becouse this is the time when temp. of the day changes ,and past 6 pm I start feeling perfect.
when Baro. Pressure is going to be stable for days o week i feel prefectly well.
What kind of medical attention should i look for ?? Neurologyst ,General Medicine .... Which could be the couse of this problem :Stress,Depression ?
It seems that a couple of times a year, more during the hot weather, I experience vertigo and the like. Just this a.m. I got up and fell back in bed b/c I was so dizzy. It happend twice, a few hours later I tried to lie down and felt absolutely horrible. I thought I was going to vomit. I will try some yoga and breating excercises to see if that helps. Next, will be the doctor.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am new to this dizziness thing. Startes a few days ago. I woke up feeling dizzy & thinking a migraine was on its way. Luckily I didn't get the migraine but I did vomit & when I move too quickly or move certain ways I feel dizzy. I thought it was good that I did not get the headache but at least with a migraine, I know that it all goes away. I don't like this dizzy feeling. I don't have insurance so I don't look forward to going to the doctor.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisfor the last 3 weeks my older sister has been experience dizziness, specially when she is at bed. She is 61 years old and so far she has been very healthy. We will like to know what type of Doctor my sister should see. Please let me know, Thanks.
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