Question 1

What causes giddiness?

Accepted Answer

Giddiness is not a medical issue by itself; it is always a symptom of an underlying issue. The reasons could be as varied as simple dehydration or a stroke. A qualified medical professional would have to diagnose the symptoms to find the exact reason.

Question 2

Are vertigo, giddiness and dizziness the same?

Accepted Answer

Dizziness and giddiness are often used interchangeably to describe the sensation of lightheadedness, unsteadiness and the feeling of faltering or fainting. However, vertigo specifically refers to the spinning feeling that could also be a part of giddiness symptoms.

Question 3

Do I have to see a doctor?

Accepted Answer

Giddiness can be a sign of underlying problems, some of which are potentially life threatening. Therefore, prolonged, frequent or severe episodes of giddiness must certainly be seen by a doctor. If giddiness is accompanied by any of the following symptoms it requires urgent medical attention. Symptoms: headache, high fever, chest pain, head injury, drooping of eye or mouth, hearing loss or blurred vision, speech difficulties, numbness or tingling, ongoing vomiting, or loss of consciousness.

Question 4

Can I live a normal life with giddiness?

Accepted Answer

Isolated episodes of giddiness cannot be predicted, but if one has frequent episodes, one must avoid operating machinery or vehicles. If you know what your dizziness triggers are, you will have to try to avoid them in your daily life.

Question 5

Why do I feel giddy when I suddenly stand up or get out of bed?

Accepted Answer

A type of hypotension (low blood pressure) called Orthostatic Hypotension or Postural Hypotension can make you dizzy or faint when you abruptly change position.

Question 6

What is the treatment for Giddiness?

Accepted Answer

Giddiness is a symptom of other problems. So, after diagnosing the problem causing the giddiness, treating that problem will resolve the symptoms of dizziness.

Question 7

Can allergies cause dizziness?

Accepted Answer

Yes, allergies can cause dizziness. Usually, dizziness caused by allergens can be airborne allergy-induced or food allergy-induced. Allergies can fill your Eustachian tube with mucus. As a result, it won’t be able to equalize pressure in the ear. Thus, causing the symptoms of dizziness. On the other hand, food allergy-induced dizziness may come from an intolerance to gluten, wheat, or other food products. The symptoms might surface immediately after eating the food or hours later.

Question 8

What medicine is good for dizziness?

Accepted Answer

Dizziness usually gets better without receiving any form of treatment. Your body starts adapting to whatever is causing the condition within a few weeks. However, if the symptoms affect your day-to-day activities, and you should seek treatment. Your doctor will try to identify the cause of your condition and symptoms. The treatment may include medication and balancing exercises.

In case your dizziness persists without any causes, prescription drugs, and other treatments can help alleviate the symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe the following medications.

Water pills: When dizziness is caused by Meniere's disease, a water pill or diuretic is prescribed. The medication, coupled with a low-salt diet, can effectively reduce the episodes of dizziness.
Antihistamines and anticholinergics: These medications are known to provide immediate relief from dizziness, vertigo, and nausea. However, many of them may cause drowsiness.
Anti-anxiety medications: Examples include benzodiazepine drugs like Diazepam and Alprazolam. Like antihistamines and anticholinergics, these medications can cause drowsiness as well.
Anti-anxiety medications: Examples include benzodiazepine drugs like Diazepam and Alprazolam. Like antihistamines and anticholinergics, these medications can cause drowsiness as well.
Preventive medicine for migraine attacks

Question 9

When should you worry about dizziness?

Accepted Answer

There’s nothing to be worried about if dizziness goes away after a few moments. However, you should consult a doctor if you experience additional symptoms, such as vomiting, double vision, or difficulty using your arms or legs. In women, dizziness along with back pain, shortness of breath, and fainting are common signs of a heart attack. Other signs that you need to watch out for are fever, difficulty walking, chest pain, stiff neck, and common signs of a stroke.

Maintaining a healthy weight, limiting smoking, and leading a healthy life can alleviate the symptoms of dizziness and prevent serious problems. If you experience dizziness frequently, make sure to talk to your doctor about it in detail.

Question 10

How long can vertigo last?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the cause, episodes of vertigo can last a few seconds, minutes, hours, or even days. The symptoms of mild vertigo don’t last longer than one to two weeks. In the case of Meniere’s disease, vertigo may come and go over time or become an ongoing issue.

You may experience lightheadedness for a few seconds or minutes sometimes or every time you stand up. In most of the cases, the doctor determines the causes and treats your lightheadedness. But if you are taking medicines for several medical problems, finding the cause and treatment for lightheadedness can be a tough challenge. You need to work with your doctor and let them know what's working and what's not.

Question 11

Should I go to the hospital for dizziness?

Accepted Answer

Dizziness does not need medical attention unless it is sudden, severe, recurrent, or unexplained. However, if you experience any of the following signs of dizziness, you must look out for them and get emergency medical care.

Chest pain
Sudden headache
Numbness or paralysis of arms or legs
Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Fainting
Double vision
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Vomiting
Sudden change in hearing
Seizures
Confusion
Facial numbness

Meanwhile, follow the below-mentioned self-care tips to avoid any serious problems.

Move slowly: If you stand up from lying down, move slowly. Many people feel dizzy if they stand up quickly.
Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Staying well-hydrated can help to prevent many types of dizziness.
Stay away from tobacco and caffeine: These substances are known to make symptoms worse by restricting blood flow.

Question 12

What are the home remedies for vertigo?

Accepted Answer

Vertigo can restrict a person's activities and make them feel uneasy. While there are medications available to treat vertigo, natural home remedies work well without any side effects. Some of the home remedies for vertigo are:

Epley manoeuvre
Ginkgo biloba is an herb that relieves dizziness by managing blood flow to the brain.
Drinking ginger tea may help with dizziness and nausea.
Dehydration can worsen the symptoms of vertigo. So, staying hydrated is essential.
Essential oils, including peppermint, lavender, ginger, and lemon, can be topically applied or inhaled through an infuser to treat the symptoms of vertigo.
Acupressure can help manage vertigo by stimulating the pressure points in your body.

Question 13

Can high blood pressure cause dizziness?

Accepted Answer

No, there is no evidence that suggests high blood pressure could cause dizziness. However, certain blood pressure medications may cause dizziness as a side effect. Sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance or coordination may indicate a serious underlying problem or a stroke. Hence, it is advisable not to ignore such symptoms and seek medical help quickly.

Question 14

What are the therapies used for the treatment of dizziness?

Accepted Answer

Usually, dizziness goes away on its own without any treatment. But, in severe cases, your doctor may prescribe the following therapies and medications depending on your condition's symptoms and causes.

Epley manoeuvre: It is also known as canalith repositioning. It is an effective technique in which the doctor or therapist manoeuvres the position of the head to resolve benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. You must inform the doctor about any neck or back condition, or blood vessel problems before starting canalith repositioning.
Balance therapy: This is recommended for individuals who are experiencing dizziness due to inner ear conditions like vestibular neuritis. Balance therapy is also known as vestibular rehabilitation and involves specific exercises to re-train your body to balance better and become less sensitive to motion.
Psychotherapy: Anxiety can lead to dizziness as well. Psychotherapy can help in such cases.

Question 15

What to expect during your appointment?

Accepted Answer

During the visit, your doctor will perform a physical examination first to narrow down the causes and symptoms of dizziness. Following that, they will ask you questions about how or when it occurs, the situations in which it occurs, the severity of symptoms and whether any other symptoms occur along with the dizziness.

The doctor will then check your balance by checking your eyes and ears, observing your posture, and performing a neurological physical exam and other tests. Depending on the suspected cause of your dizziness, they might also recommend a CT scan or MRI.

Question 16

What tests might I have for dizziness?

Accepted Answer

Depending on what has been established from your diagnosis, the doctor may recommend further tests that might be relevant. Some of them might include –

A hearing test
A blood test
MRI or CT scan
Heart tests like ECD or echocardiogram
Specialist tests for inner ear function and balance

Question 17

What are the surgical methods of treating vertigo?

Accepted Answer

Surgery isn't usually appropriate for treating vertigo. However, there are certain situations in which it may be performed. Surgical treatment for vertigo can be of two types.

Corrective surgical treatments: Extreme caution must be exercised if a corrective surgical procedure is being considered to treat vertigo. In all cases, going for a corrective treatment is considered risky, and it is recommended to go for a second opinion. Some of the conditions where corrective surgery may be performed are
- Perilymph fistula: An artificial opening in the eardrum may help to prevent pressure fluctuations between the middle ear and the outside world.
- Microvascular compression syndrome: Moving a blood vessel of the vestibular nerve may be required, which can be done by microvascular compression surgery.
- Meniere’s disease: Endolymphatic sac shunt surgery may improve inner ear plumbing.
- Chronic ear diseases, such as chronic otitis media, chronic mastoiditis, cholesterol granuloma and tympanosclerosis: Procedures followed include atticotomy and certain types of mastoidectomy.
Destructive surgical treatments: These procedures intend to eliminate vertigo, but the patient must sacrifice their hearing abilities. They are considered only when the general medical treatment and vestibular rehabilitation don't work well to manage the symptoms of vertigo. After undergoing destructive treatment, vestibular rehabilitation therapy is appropriate for patients. Some of the destructive surgical procedures are
- Transtympanic gentamicin treatment or chemical labyrinthectomy
- Acoustic neuroma surgery
- Gamma knife (radiation) treatment

Giddiness and Dizziness