Symptoms
Circulatory problems are manifested above all in suddenly occurring dizziness, flickering eyes, sweating, nausea, blackening of the eyes and even fainting spells. Chronic circulatory problems usually result in fatigue, poor performance, concentration problems and headaches. They can also trigger sensitivity to the weather, irritability and depressive moods.
Particularly in older patients, circulatory problems should be clarified and treated as a matter of urgency, as there is an increased risk of falls and fractures. Dizziness can occur as a result of disturbed circulation regulation and can be accompanied by other circulatory complaints such as nausea, sweating, eye flutter and fainting spells, but it can also be an indication of diseases of the inner ear and the organ of balance or the central nervous system and should therefore be clarified without fail.The organ of equilibrium, which is located in the inner ear, directly next to the hearing organ, together with the vestibular nerve and the associated central nerve tracts, form a network in which the directions in which one moves are processed. This helps us to stay upright and move safely in space.
There are two different forms of dizziness – the swaying dizziness, in which sufferers state that they are swaying or complain about the feeling that their surroundings are moving back and forth when they stand. Another form of dizziness is the rotational vertigo – in which sufferers have the feeling that everything is spinning around them, like on a merry-go-round. Harmless causes of dizziness are, for example, circulatory problems, vertigo at high altitudes or dizziness attacks during boat trips (kinetosis).
A doctor should be consulted in any case if dizziness suddenly reoccurs for no apparent reason, if ear noises, headaches, drowsiness or fainting occur and with shortness of breath and heart stumbling. A frequent but serious cause of attacks of vertigo is, for example, benign positional vertigo, which can often occur when lying down and sitting down or when head movements are too fast and is often accompanied by nausea. This is caused by small earstones that become loose and settle in the archways of the vestibular system, causing irritation.
Special positioning exercises can quickly eliminate the complaints. Another cause of sudden attacks of dizziness with ringing in the ears (tinnitus), nausea and a tendency to fall can be Meniere’s disease – a chronic disease of the inner ear. Other causes of dizziness can also be inflammation of the inner ear, cardiovascular diseases, eye diseases, psychiatric or neurological diseases such as migraine, stroke or Parkinson’s disease, and should always be clarified by a doctor.
The therapy depends on the underlying disease. If bacterial inflammation is present, antibiotics can be administered, and cortisone for circulatory disorders. In the case of severe dizziness attacks, antivertiginosa (remedies for dizziness) can be taken, which provide quick relief.
Important are supporting balance exercises and physical activity – in order to promote the recovery process and to achieve a secure movement. Prophylactic measures include sufficient exercise, a balanced diet, abstinence from alcohol and abstinence from nicotine. Headaches can also occur as a result of circulatory problems, but can also have other causes, such as migraines or tension headaches.
The latter is mainly caused by overtiredness and stress. However, regular use of painkillers for headaches can also lead to “drug-induced headache”. Here it is important not to take any painkillers for a while in order to wean the body from the medication.
To counteract the headache, it is often helpful to lie down and rest, drink enough, exercise regularly and avoid alcohol and nicotine. If the symptoms are related to nausea and dizziness, do not improve after a short time or become more frequent, a doctor should be consulted. Nausea can sometimes occur in conjunction with circulatory problems and dizziness attacks and can be very stressful for the person affected and can be accompanied by vomiting.
Antiemetic drugs can be taken to treat short-term nausea. However, if nausea persists for a longer period of time, especially in combination with dizziness or tinnitus, a doctor should be consulted. Fatigue can be the result of prolonged circulatory problems and low blood pressure. It can also be an indication of other diseases, for example iron deficiency anaemia. A medical clarification would be advisable.
