Introduction
Dizziness is a physical sensation that most people have experienced. Those affected have the feeling that their surroundings are spinning or they feel unsteady on their feet, so that they are forced to interrupt the activity they have been doing up to that point. Dizziness can take a certain direction (e.g.
spinning and swaying), but it can also be undirected, i.e. the affected person feels a swaying sensation. In the case of drowsiness, there is also a dizzy feeling (e.g. soft knees, etc. ), concentration is difficult or drowsiness occurs.
In the following text the emphasis is on dizziness in combination with drowsiness. If the dizziness manifests itself with additional drowsiness, a distinction should be made between a stagger and a directional dizziness. If we speak of a directional dizziness, we mean a swaying or spinning sensation, i.e. a describable direction. A stagger is rather an uncertainty or dizziness, where one is not able to describe a direction.
Causes
In the case of directed vertigo, disturbances of the sense of balance and the nerves involved are more likely to occur. There are various possibilities, ranging from position-dependent dizziness (sticking of directional crystals in the organ of equilibrium) to inflammation of the nerves and even an infarction in the corresponding area. In the case of non-directional dizziness, both internal and neurological diseases as well as overdoses of medication or stimulants can be considered.
Particularly in the case of concomitant dizziness, there is a suspicion of circulatory problems (e.g. too low blood pressure shortly after getting up) or metabolic disorders (e.g. too high/low blood sugar). Certain classes of medication (e.g. water-exuding drugs, antihypertensive drugs, insulin, various heart medications) tend to produce this combination of symptoms if taken in excessive quantities or in excessive doses.
In neurological diseases, a stroke or cerebral hemorrhage may play a role, both of which can lead to dizziness with drowsiness. Dizziness and drowsiness may also be caused by motion sickness, defective vision or movement disorders of the eyes, cervical spine syndrome or changes in older age or may occur during hyperventilation. Muscular or bony changes lead to a reduction in mobility and the ability to transmit information about the position of the head. This can cause dizziness or a feeling of light-headedness in those affected.
