Dizziness, as a common and complex symptom, may be caused by various reasons. It may not only affect our daily lives, but may even have a profound impact on our work, study, and psychological state. However, many people may not be aware that dizziness is actually a broad term that encompasses various types and manifestations of symptoms.
1、 What are the common types of dizziness?
1. Otolith syndrome
the most common type of vertigo in the elderly. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (otolith) is the most prevalent vertigo disease in the elderly population, accounting for 39.7%. There are no warning signs before the onset of otolith syndrome, and it manifests as strong rotational vertigo during the onset. Often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, cold sweat throughout the body, urgency, palpitations, and elevated blood pressure.
2. Chronic subjective dizziness
Chronic subjective dizziness is the second most common dizziness disease, accounting for 22.2%. This disease is closely related to anxiety and depression. Mainly experiencing dizziness, without feeling dizzy and disoriented. Often described as having no heels, feeling heavy on top and light on the feet, feeling like stepping on cotton, and feeling floaty while walking.
3. Posterior circulation ischemic dizziness
When the posterior circulation is responsible for supplying the brainstem, cerebellum, and occipital cortex, posterior circulation ischemic stroke usually causes symptoms such as dizziness, diplopia, articulation disorders, swallowing difficulties, unstable posture and gait, ataxia, and visual field defects
4. Vestibular migraine
Multiple recurrent dizziness/vertigo with nausea, vomiting, and migraine symptoms in women.
5. Cerebral arteriosclerosis
If you often feel heavy and stuffy hair (with tightness and pressure on the head), dizziness, headache, often accompanied by tinnitus, unclear vision, difficulty falling asleep, easy to wake up, difficult to fall asleep after waking up, and have frequent and clear dreams. Sometimes there is excessive sleep, drowsiness, mental fatigue, or alternation with insomnia, without any regularity. Usually, attention is scattered, movements become sluggish, and reactions are not sensitive, resulting in reduced interaction with others. They prefer solitude, have a more introverted personality, and are difficult to get close to.
6. Cervical spondylosis
Dizziness caused by head rotation can manifest as a feeling of rotation, swaying, instability, etc., which is more common than changes in head and neck position such as turning the head and neck, stretching and bending the neck. It can range from a few seconds to a whole day or even several days, but most can be tolerated.
7. Anemia
This is a blood system disease that may lead to hypoxia and insufficient blood supply to the brain. Patients may experience dizziness, fatigue, pale complexion, and palpitations.
8. Myocardial infarction
This is a cardiovascular disease that causes insufficient blood supply to the heart. Patients may experience dizziness, chest tightness, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
9. Meniere's disease
Meniere's disease is an idiopathic inner ear disease that typically occurs suddenly and is characterized by recurrent episodes of rotational vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear stuffiness lasting from minutes to hours. During the course of Meniere's disease, most patients develop progressive and persistent hearing loss in the affected ear.
2、 How to provide home care for patients with vertigo?
During the onset period, it is advisable to rest in bed as soon as possible, maintain indoor quietness, ensure good air circulation, and avoid stimulation. The bedroom is conservative and extremely quiet, with as little light as possible. The patient's position should be selected according to different diseases and the degree of dizziness. For true dizziness, changes in head or body position can lead to increased dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. If there is a change in position during transportation, gentle movements should be taken.
2. It is not advisable to go out alone during the intermission period to prevent sudden attacks and accidents. For patients with positional vertigo, vestibular exercise can be strengthened, attention should be paid to mental regulation, and a comfortable mood can be maintained to avoid falling accidents.
3. Pay attention to psychological counseling. The onset of dizziness is correlated with psychological factors. The role of doctors' verbal comfort should be taken seriously. With a clear diagnosis, doctors should provide timely comfort to patients, patiently explain the condition and prognosis, inform them that dizziness is a short-term attack, alleviate or eliminate the patient's psychological state of tension and anxiety, and be calm and composed, which helps to smoothly get through the improvement.
3、 Tips for treating dizziness in daily life
1. Changing body position
When experiencing dizziness symptoms, one should keep quiet and avoid suddenly getting up or turning their head. You can try to slowly stand up or tilt your head left and right to help alleviate symptoms.
2. Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that vertigo is often caused by liver wind, liver fire, and liver yang hyperactivity. Traditional Chinese medicine therapies such as acupuncture and moxibustion and massage can effectively adjust the internal balance of the body and alleviate vertigo symptoms.
3. Oxygen inhalation
Hypoxia may be one of the causes of dizziness symptoms. You can try using a nasal cannula or face mask for oxygen inhalation to increase blood oxygen saturation and alleviate dizziness symptoms.
4. Maintain good lifestyle habits
Vertigo is closely related to lifestyle habits and should be avoided as much as possible from factors such as overwork and mental stress. At the same time, appropriately relieving life and work pressure, maintaining a good sleep schedule, and exercising appropriately can help alleviate dizziness symptoms.
5. Pay attention to diet
Improper diet may also lead to dizziness symptoms. One should avoid bad habits such as excessive drinking and smoking, maintain a light diet, and avoid consuming too much greasy food.
4、 How to prevent dizziness?
1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle: a balanced diet, moderate exercise, good sleep, and avoiding excessive tension can all help prevent dizziness.
2. Avoid overexertion: Long hours of work and overwork may lead to the occurrence of dizziness, so it is advisable to avoid overexertion as much as possible.
3. Avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits: Excessive drinking, smoking, and other unhealthy habits may increase the risk of dizziness, and should be avoided as much as possible.
4. Maintain good sitting and standing posture: Maintaining good sitting and standing posture can avoid damage to the neck and spine, thereby preventing the occurrence of dizziness.
5. Avoid sudden head turning and getting up: Sudden head turning and getting up may cause dizziness and balance imbalance, so it should be avoided as much as possible in daily life.
6. Proper TCM treatment: acupuncture and moxibustion, massage and other TCM treatments can effectively adjust the internal balance of the body and prevent the occurrence of vertigo.
Understanding your type of dizziness is the first step towards recovery. Through scientific understanding and professional medical support, you will be able to find the most suitable coping strategies for yourself, overcome the challenges brought by dizziness, and regain balance and stability in your life. Every understanding and management of dizziness is your love for yourself and persistent pursuit of a healthy life.