Dizziness refers to an impairment in spatial perception and stability. It is considered imprecise. It can be used to mean vertigo, pre syncopy / feeling faint, disequilibrium, or for a none specific feeling such as can giddiness or foolishness.

There are many causes for dizziness, some include equilibrioception, hypotension, cerebral hypoxia, a reaction to environmental chemicals or drugs, and psychiatric.

Vertigo

main: Vertigo (medical) Vertigo is a specific medical term used to describe the sensation of spinning or having the room spin about you. Many people find vertigo very disturbing and often report associated nausea and vomiting.

Otologic causes of vertigo:

If the vertigo arises from the inner ear, it is severe and has associated nausea and vomiting. One common cause of otologic vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Alternate causes of vertigo originating from the inner ear include Ménière's disease, superior canal dehiscence syndrome, and labyrinthitis.

Central nervous system causes of vertigo:

If vertigo arises from the balance centers of the brain, it is milder, and has accompanying neurologic deficits, such as slurred speech, double vision or nystagmus. Alternately, brain pathology can cause a sensation of disequilibrium which is an off-balance sensation.

Often vertigo can be treated by the Epley maneuver.

Disequilibrium

Disequilibrium is the sensation of being off balance, and is most often characterized by frequent falls in a specific direction. This condition is not often associated with nausea or vomiting.

Pre-syncope

Pre-syncope, or a syncoptic episode, is lightheadedness, muscular weakness and feeling faint as opposed to a syncope, which is actually fainting. Pre-syncope does not result from primary central nervous system pathology, nor does it originate in the inner ear but is most often cardiovascular in etiology. In many patients, lightheadedness is a symptom of orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension occurs when the blood pressure drops significantly when the patient stands from a supine or seated position. If loss of consciousness occurs in this situation, it is termed syncope.

Non specific dizziness

Non specific dizziness is often psychiatric in origin. It is a diagnosis of exclusion and can sometimes be brought about by hyperventilation.

See also

• Motion sickness
• Balance disorder
• Vertigo (medical)
• Syncope (medicine)
• Equilibrioception
• The spins, a state of dizziness and disorientation due to intoxication

External links

• Dizzytimes.com Online Community for Sufferers of Vertigo and Dizziness