Things like standing up too fast, dehydration and low blood sugar are all common causes for the occasional dizzy spell. It’s easy to write off these spells as temporary, but as we age, it becomes more and more critical to watch out for our balance health. You may be wondering how to tell if the issue is great enough to seek medical attention.
What Causes Dizzy Spells?
Inside your ear is the labyrinth, the organ system that comprises your vestibular, or balance, system. These organs collect sensory information regarding your placement in space: how gravity is acting upon your body, how fast you’re moving, whether you’re vertical or horizontal, etc. These organs then send this sensory information to the brain, which interprets it. If this sensory information reaches the brain incompletely or inaccurately for any reason, it can lead to feelings of disorientation, spinning, weakness and lightheadedness.
Causes of incomplete or inaccurate sensory information vary wildly, but here are a few:
- Standing up too fast
- Dehydration
- Low blood sugar
- Anemia
- High blood pressure
- Head trauma
- An ear infection that impedes the labyrinth
- Acoustic neuroma (a benign tumor on the nerve used to transmit sensory information to the brain)
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Meniere’s disease
What’s Normal and What’s Not
Because there are so many different things that can cause dizziness, it can be hard to know if your dizzy spell is normal or a cause for concern. A “normal” dizzy spell, one that may not need medical attention at this time, is fleeting and usually goes away on its own. While you may feel off-kilter, you probably won’t completely lose your balance and fall over.
What is not normal are prolonged, debilitating dizzy spells, especially if they happen very frequently. Also note if there are other symptoms, such as blurred vision, a headache, nausea and vomiting.
Other Risk Factors
Even if the dizzy spells feel normal, consider if you have any other risk factors that might increase your chances of developing balance problems. This could include:
- Age. Once you reach age 65, it’s a good idea to stay on top of your balance health. Falls are a major cause of injury, hospitalization and death for older adults.
- Certain medications. Some medications can affect balance as a side effect. These medications may be essential for treating other conditions, but it’s important to be aware of other effects they may have. Tranquilizers, sedatives, muscle relaxers and some blood pressure medications are known to have this effect.
- Chronic conditions. We’ve already listed anemia, high blood pressure and low blood sugar above, and many other chronic conditions can be potential causes of dizzy spells, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and many neurological disorders. If you have any condition with known impacts on balance, make sure you’re monitoring those symptoms.
- Vision impairment. Your brain also receives sensory information from your eyes. If you have poor eyesight, it can significantly impact your balance. Make sure you’re wearing your glasses or contacts!
Seeking Treatment
We hope this information has helped you determine if your balance needs a checkup or not. If you’ve determined that your dizzy spells fall outside of the norm, or if you have another risk factor that warrants paying close attention to your balance, it’s time to seek help.
At Audiology Associates of Redding, we can perform a comprehensive balance assessment. As experts in the inner ear, audiologists are well-positioned to diagnose and help treat balance disorders. Call us today to schedule an appointment or learn more.