What are dizziness and vertigo?
Dizziness and vertigo affect your balance and may signify a balance disorder.
Dizziness
Dizziness causes feelings of unsteadiness, wooziness, or weakness. Though rarely a sign of a serious medical condition, frequent dizziness may affect your quality of life.
Vertigo
When you feel like the room is spinning, you have vertigo. Vertigo causes dizziness.
What conditions cause dizziness and vertigo?
Many conditions may cause dizziness or vertigo. Your symptoms may be due to:
Problems with blood circulation
If you feel dizzy moving from a sitting to a standing position too fast, then your symptoms may be related to problems with your circulation.
Your blood pressure may be low, and when you move, your body cannot pump enough blood to your head, causing you to feel lightheaded. High blood pressure may also cause feelings of dizziness.
Though not a circulation problem, you may feel dizzy or unsteady if you go too long without eating, resulting in low blood sugar.
Problems involving your inner ear
Problems that affect the inner ear are the most common cause of vertigo. These include inflammation in the inner ear, as well as changes in the structure.
Inner ear conditions that cause vertigo include Meniere’s disease (buildup of fluid in the inner ear) and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV — changes in your head’s position).
Neurological condition
Dizziness and vertigo may also be symptoms of a neurological disorder such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, or head injury.
What happens during a dizziness and vertigo evaluation?
When you visit Knight Neurology with concerns about dizziness and vertigo, your neurologist conducts a thorough exam to find the underlying cause of your symptoms.
Your provider asks detailed questions about your dizziness and vertigo, including when they started and the activities that make them worse. They also review your medical history and complete a physical and neurological exam.
Diagnostic tests such as bloodwork, X-rays, and CT scans can confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
How are dizziness and vertigo treated?
Knight Neurology customizes care for dizziness and vertigo based on the underlying cause. Treatment may include:
- Activity modification
- Positional exercises
- Physical therapy
- Medication to manage a neurological condition
Knight Neurology uses evidence-based therapies to help you get relief from your dizziness and vertigo.
To schedule an appointment, call Knight Neurology or book online today.
