Diagnosis
The diagnosis of rotational vertigo in pregnancy is mainly made clinically. This means that a medical history and a short physical examination are often sufficient to make a diagnosis. A mild form of vertigo that occurs from time to time is no cause for concern during pregnancy.
These include typical factors such as getting up quickly, lying down, exertion, as well as psychological stress, which will be assessed during the anamnesis. Also in practice, the dizziness symptoms can often be provoked by getting up quickly. However, very strong symptoms or an accompanying fainting are a reason for further diagnosis. These include, above all, a blood pressure measurement and a blood test. Low blood pressure or anaemia can be diagnosed and then treated.
Other accompanying symptoms
Depending on the cause of vertigo during pregnancy, other accompanying symptoms may be present. The most common form of rotational vertigo is caused by low blood pressure, while at the same time the blood in the veins of the legs is sinking. In addition to low blood pressure and spinning dizziness, fatigue, gait insecurity, blurred vision and palpitations can also occur.
In rare cases, water retention and swelling of the legs can also occur. If fainting occurs in addition, a medical clarification is urgently required, otherwise the mother and the child may be harmed. Heavy sweating, on the other hand, can indicate overheating. In particular, stressful work, exposure to the sun or sports should be avoided in these cases. Accompanying symptoms such as severe thirst or ravenous appetite may follow in the case of gestational diabetes.
Treatment
The treatment must be made dependent on the severity of the symptoms and the underlying cause.Most cases of rotational vertigo do not require therapy because they are only temporary and self-limiting. With the end of pregnancy the dizziness stops immediately in almost all cases. In order to control the dizziness with more severe consequences, such as sudden fainting, as far as possible, the pregnant woman must pay attention to her physical condition and avoid triggering factors.
These include avoiding high loads, heat and stress and taking care of the body on difficult days. The most important everyday measures are to drink and eat enough and to sleep regularly. Due to the additional strain and the care of the child, the amount of food and drink a pregnant woman should consume increases. If there are more complex metabolic diseases such as gestational diabetes or anemia, additional medically guided treatment against the underlying cause may be necessary.
