Dizziness

Patients complaining of dizziness may feel faint, unsteady, or as though the room is spinning. It is a common ailment with a number of causes that tend to be easy to treat.

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There are two forms of dizziness. The first makes you feel faint, unsteady, woozy, or weak. The second is referred to as “vertigo” and creates the false sensation that you or your surroundings are moving. Although frequent dizziness can negatively impact your quality of life, fortunately it’s rarely indicative of a severe or life-threatening condition.

Dizziness Treatment Options

The first step in your treatment will be establishing the cause of your symptoms. This is done through testing procedures, including a neurological examination, balance test, or CT imaging.

Dizziness can stem from an imbalance in your diet or fluid intake, so your treatment may include dietary adjustments or an increase in fluid. Other treatment methods include ear surgeries to correct balance, medication, and balance exercises.

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there is a woman that is holding her head in her hands

What Causes Dizziness?

One of the most common causes of dizziness and vertigo is an underlying inner ear problem. The eyes, sensory nerves, and inner ear all work together to create a secure sense of balance. The eyes determine the body’s location and movement, the nerves transmit messages about the body to the brain, and the inner ear detects gravity and motion. With an inner ear disorder, the nerves send the brain conflicting signals that aren’t aligned with what the eyes and sensory nerves receive. The brain responds by attempting to sort out the inconsistencies, and the resulting effect is vertigo.

The four inner ear problems that are known to cause vertigo include:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Patients with BPPV experience a brief and intense sense of spinning triggered by a rapid change in head movement. It is the most common cause of vertigo, and is likely to occur when you stand up quickly.

Meniere’s Disease

This disease is characterized by a buildup of fluid in the inner ear. It causes sudden feelings of vertigo that can last for several hours and may accompany hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and the sense that your ears are plugged.

Migraine

Migraine sufferers often complain of episodes of vertigo and dizziness that may occur with or without a severe headache.

Vestibular Neuritis

This infection of the vestibular nerve can cause intense and constant vertigo.

Symptoms of Dizziness

Feeling faint, unsteady, or lightheaded
The false sense that the room is spinning
A loss of balance
Wooziness

When dizziness occurs along with a sudden headache, vomiting, a change in speech, chest pain, and other worrisome symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Who Does Dizziness Affect?

Dizziness most often occurs due to an underlying condition. This may include:

Anxiety
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
Ear infection
Neurological conditions
Meniere’s disease
Migraine

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About SFENTA

SFENTA has been providing patients across South Florida with comprehensive ENT care for over 30 years. Our providers take the time to educate you on your condition and the available treatment methods to help you select the best course of treatment for you. We believe that patient education and collaboration lead to the best patient outcomes and long-term relief.

SFENTA provides patients with:

Patient-Centered Care

We provide genuine one-on-one care regardless of age, condition, or diagnosis.

Continuity of Care

We believe in care that doesn’t just end after one visit. We want to help you find long-term relief, and we’re ready to be there every step of the way.

A Highly Trained Physician Network

Our physician network is truly unparalleled. We have over 50 physicians and 40 allied professionals who are highly trained in the complete spectrum of ENT care.

The Security of a Community Staple

We’ve been treating patients in South Florida for over 30 years, so you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands.

Dizziness FAQs

Is an underlying medical condition the only reason for dizziness?

No. It can also be caused by low blood sugar, excess heat, or certain medications.

Can dizziness affect older patients?

Yes, but only because older patients often have medical conditions or require medications that can cause dizziness.