Don’t underestimate the symptoms of dizziness, as it can be a sign of a serious condition, such as meningitis, lead poisoning, brain tumors…
Dizziness is one of the leading causes of workplace accidents, traffic accidents, and other types of mishaps. Individuals experiencing dizziness may feel as though everything around them is spinning, or they may feel as if they themselves are caught in a whirlwind; they may experience loss of balance, unsteady walking, a sensation of floating as if standing on a boat, feelings of missing steps, or a lightheadedness that feels weightless, accompanied by nausea, discomfort, and a sense of internal turmoil.
Dizziness often manifests in episodes, lasting from a few minutes to several days or even weeks. Episodes can recur frequently. Patients often find themselves in a constant state of anxiety and fear. Dizziness may occur while taking medication, particularly with streptomycin; symptoms can include vertigo, nausea, and vomiting, leading to a debilitating state where the patient is unable to eat. Dizziness may also be accompanied by tinnitus, characterized by sounds like cicadas or train whistles in one or both ears, fluctuating hearing loss that may worsen during episodes, generally indicating a progressive decline in hearing. Patients may experience pain throughout the head or in the crown and occipital regions, often coinciding with the onset of dizziness. There may also be autonomic disturbances, such as flushing of the face in episodes, and occasionally fainting. Dizziness can have seasonal patterns, allowing patients to anticipate its recurrence.
There are numerous causes of dizziness: infections, acute or chronic otitis media, viral sialadenitis, meningitis, and intoxications (nicotine, lead, arsenic, etc.). Pregnancy, menstruation, and vascular system disorders (vascular sclerosis, vasospasm, hypertension, hypotension), as well as eye diseases (diplopia), can also contribute to dizziness. This symptom may also indicate vestibular and cochlear damage (fracture of the temporal bone, labyrinthitis, inner ear bleeding) or central nervous system damage (cerebellar tumors, cerebellar abscess, multiple sclerosis, syringomyelia, Jacksonian epilepsy).
Currently, thanks to advancements in balance function testing and the pathophysiology of dizziness, understanding the causes of dizziness has become clearer, leading to improved treatment outcomes. However, individuals experiencing dizziness should seek medical advice and treatment as soon as possible to avoid potential risks.
Depending on the cause, doctors may treat dizziness with medication or surgery.
ThS Phạm Bích Đào, Health & Life
