Definition
Dizziness is the symptom caused by different information supplied to the brain by the eyes, the sensory organs in the ears and the position sensors from muscles and joints. The distorted perception, which can be caused by underlying diseases in the organs involved, results in dizziness. In medical terminology, dizziness is also called Vertigo.
There are several different causes of dizziness. In addition, a certain form of dizziness can occur due to the cause. Therefore different types of vertigo are distinguished. A basic distinction is also made between unsystematic and systematic vertigo. Vertigo can also be divided into different age groups, since it affects not only middle-aged people, but also elderly people and children.
Symptoms Dizziness
The dizziness is very uncomfortable for many of those affected and is often uncontrollable. The different types of vertigo can manifest themselves in slightly different ways, but in general, other similar complaints occur in addition to dizziness. In the case of rotational vertigo, it is particularly characteristic that the patients have the feeling that they are on a merry-go-round or that the environment is spinning.
The different information that the brain has to process from what it sees and the organ of balance in the inner ear causes a discrepancy, which causes severe nausea in many patients. In addition, rotary vertigo often causes a nystagmus. This is a rapid resetting movement of the eyes, which first follow the direction of rotation, but then return to a straight line.
This effect is also observed when driving a train and is then physiological. In some inner ear diseases, the effect may not be normal and may therefore indicate pathological disturbance of the inner ear. In extreme cases, vomiting may also occur.
Meniere’s disease can cause an increased feeling of pressure in the ear. In this context, ringing in the ear may also occur. This is known as tinnitus, which also causes a reduction in hearing ability.
The course of the swaying vertigo is similar. Here, patients suffer from the feeling that the ground or they themselves are fluctuating strongly. This leads to a walking insecurity with a tendency to fall.
Those affected are often no longer able to stand securely and need help walking. In addition, the risk of falling and the risk of injury is increased. Since swaying vertigo often has a psychological cause, a state of dizziness can also occur as a result of stress or anxiety.
Patients become literally black before their eyes and may lose consciousness. Strong feelings of fear, powerlessness and panic also occur. The dizziness often occurs in the form of attacks, so that those affected have no control over it and are able to intercept the dizzy attack.
Depending on the severity of the dizziness and its duration, it can severely restrict the patient in his or her daily life. It represents a greater burden. In a dizziness outpatient clinic, a special consultation hour for the dizziness symptoms, the cause of the dizziness can be determined through various examinations.