Introduction
A stroke can have many different consequences. These depend on the localisation, the type of stroke, as well as the severity and the time that elapses before treatment. Many affected people suffer from dizziness after a stroke.
This can sometimes continue for several years after a stroke. In most cases, dizziness occurs in certain situations, such as when you are highly concentrated or physically active, like climbing stairs. The underlying cause is usually damage to various structures of the brain caused by the stroke.
Why does dizziness often occur after a stroke?
A stroke can have far-reaching consequences. This is because a stroke causes damage to brain tissue. Whether the stroke is a vascular occlusion or a bleed is only of minor importance for the effect.
If dizziness occurs after a stroke, the location of the stroke is often in the cerebellum or a section of the cerebellum. This part of the brain is responsible for movement and coordination. Many different nerve tracts run through this part of the brain, which is very important for balance.
Various structures, such as the eyes and the organ of balance, are also linked together by nerves. In this way an exchange of information about the different signals of the body can be guaranteed and the brain gets information about where and in which position the body is currently located. A stroke in the cerebellum causes damage to these structures.
As a result, the stroke itself can manifest itself through these symptoms. However, they are often an additional consequence of the stroke if there is permanent damage to the structures, as nerve tissue can hardly recover from major damage. A further possible cause is a misregulation of blood pressure due to the stroke.
The blood pressure is lowered too much in this case. This can lead to dizziness, especially when the body position is changed. Various medications to be taken after the stroke can also cause dizziness.
The accompanying symptoms
The diagnosis
The diagnosis of dizziness after a stroke is primarily made on the basis of the medical history, i.e. the doctor-patient consultation. During this discussion, the circumstances of the stroke itself and any symptoms that may currently be occurring are clarified in more detail. Depending on the location of the stroke, it is often possible to draw more precise conclusions about the symptoms. In addition, various tests are usually carried out to check the functioning of the vestibular organ or to control the blood pressure setting. The reason for this is to clarify possible other causes for the occurrence of dizziness.
The treatment
The treatment of dizziness after a stroke depends on the exact cause and severity of the dizziness and possible accompanying symptoms. Since dizziness is in many cases the result of damage to the cerebellum or a section of the cerebellum, the cause cannot be eliminated directly. By treating the stroke itself at an early stage, the extent of the damage can be kept as small as possible, which also has a positive effect on the development of possible consequences.
In order to reduce the long-term consequences, such as dizziness, as much as possible, early rehabilitation is very important. Here, various exercises and procedures are practised in a targeted manner in order to be able to reintegrate the affected person into everyday life after the stroke. In the case of dizziness, for example, exercises on how to deal with the symptom correctly are part of this.
The blood circulation can also be stimulated by various techniques, such as regular hot-cold showers and sufficient exercise. This helps to reduce the feeling of dizziness. In the case of pronounced dizziness, medication such as dimenhydrinate may also be helpful.
For dizziness after a stroke, there are various homeopathic remedies that can reduce dizziness. These include, for example, ferrum phosphoricum, which mainly improves dizziness caused by circulatory problems. This can be helpful in cases of incorrect blood pressure adjustment due to the stroke.
Ambergrisea can also improve dizziness and insomnia. Many people who have had a stroke also suffer from fear of a recurrence. Argentum nitricum can be helpful here, as it also relieves the nervousness that occurs.
