Gavini Pediatrics - Dizziness

Gavini Pediatric & ADHD Clinics 26850 Providence Parkway, Suite 300, Novi, MI 48374 :: 248.348.4200 www.ADHDclinic.com :: www.YourKidsDoctor.com
Dizziness What is Dizziness? Term used to describe the feelings of being faint, unsteady, weak, or lightheaded. Vertigo is the name for the type of dizziness that makes an individual feel as though their surroundings are moving or spinning. It is a common cause for many adults to visit their doctors. Dizziness can signal a life-threatening condition if paired with another symptom, but by itself is usually not cause for alarm.
Symptoms Loss of balance or unsteadiness The false sense of motion or spinning, also referred to as vertigo Other sensations such as floating, swimming, or heavy-headedness Lightheadedness or the feeling of near fainting If new, severe dizziness occurs with any of the following, call 911: A new, different or severe headache Sudden hearing loss Significant head injury Leg or arm weakness Chest pain or rapid slow heart rate Loss of consciousness Falling or difficulty walking Blurred vision A very stiff neck Trouble speaking
Causes Specific triggers or the way that the dizziness makes a person feel can give clues to the cause of the dizziness. Vertigo: a sudden or temporary change in the activity balance of the structures in the inner ear, or the balance structures connection to the brain cause vertigo. Causes of Vertigo: Inflammation of the inner ear Vestibular migraine Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo Acoustic neuroma Meniere’s disease Other causes Feelings of faintness: Drop in blood pressure Inadequate output of blood from the heart Loss of balance (disequilibrium) Inner ear problems Medications Joint and muscle problems Sensory disorders Neurological conditions Other dizzy sensations such as floating, swimming, or heavy-headedness: Low iron levels Ear infections Medications Anxiety disorders Low blood sugar Overheating and dehydration Chronic subjective dizziness
Risk Factors: Past episodes of dizziness Age Taking certain medications
Tests and Diagnosis Rotary-chair testing Eye movement testing Posturography testing
Anxiety disorders: medications and psychotherapy are recommended if anxiety is the cause of the dizziness. Inner ear conditions: balance retraining exercises are done to help correct the imbalance in the inner ear. Also, anti-nausea medications may be prescribed to relieve any immediate symptoms of nausea. Meniere’s disease: dietary changes to assist in the reduction of the body’s fluid retention as well as diuretics. Injections or surgery through the eardrum may be recommended. Vestibular migraine: an individual will have to work with their doctor to discover the triggers for the attacks, focusing on diet, sleep, stress, and exercise. BPPV: simple procedure in which the doctor or a physical therapist maneuvers the position of the head, and is usually effective after one or two treatments. Lifestyle and Home remedies: Sit or lie down immediately when you feel dizzy. Avoid moving suddenly. Walk with a cane for stability if necessary. Avoid using caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. Fall-proof your home by removing tripping hazards, and install non-slip mats on bath and shower floors.

Gavini Pediatric & ADHD Clinics

26850 Providence Parkway, Suite 300, Novi, MI 48374 :: 248.348.4200

www.ADHDclinic.com :: www.YourKidsDoctor.com

Dizziness

What is Dizziness?

Term used to describe the feelings of being faint, unsteady, weak, or lightheaded. Vertigo is the name for the type of dizziness that makes an individual feel as though their surroundings are moving or spinning. It is a common cause for many adults to visit their doctors. Dizziness can signal a life-threatening condition if paired with another symptom, but by itself is usually not cause for alarm.

Symptoms

Loss of balance or unsteadiness
The false sense of motion or spinning, also referred to as vertigo
Other sensations such as floating, swimming, or heavy-headedness
Lightheadedness or the feeling of near fainting

If new, severe dizziness occurs with any of the following, call 911:

A new, different or severe headache
Sudden hearing loss
Significant head injury
Leg or arm weakness
Chest pain or rapid slow heart rate
Loss of consciousness
Falling or difficulty walking
Blurred vision
A very stiff neck
Trouble speaking

Causes

Specific triggers or the way that the dizziness makes a person feel can give clues to the cause of the dizziness.

Vertigo: a sudden or temporary change in the activity balance of the structures in the inner ear, or the balance structures connection to the brain cause vertigo. Causes of Vertigo:

Inflammation of the inner ear
Vestibular migraine
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Acoustic neuroma
Meniere’s disease
Other causes

Feelings of faintness:

Drop in blood pressure
Inadequate output of blood from the heart

Loss of balance (disequilibrium)

Inner ear problems
Medications
Joint and muscle problems
Sensory disorders
Neurological conditions

Other dizzy sensations such as floating, swimming, or heavy-headedness:

Low iron levels
Ear infections
Medications
Anxiety disorders
Low blood sugar
Overheating and dehydration
Chronic subjective dizziness

Risk Factors:

Past episodes of dizziness
Age
Taking certain medications

Tests and Diagnosis

Rotary-chair testing
Eye movement testing
Posturography testing

Anxiety disorders: medications and psychotherapy are recommended if anxiety is the cause of the dizziness.
Inner ear conditions: balance retraining exercises are done to help correct the imbalance in the inner ear. Also, anti-nausea medications may be prescribed to relieve any immediate symptoms of nausea.
Meniere’s disease: dietary changes to assist in the reduction of the body’s fluid retention as well as diuretics. Injections or surgery through the eardrum may be recommended.
Vestibular migraine: an individual will have to work with their doctor to discover the triggers for the attacks, focusing on diet, sleep, stress, and exercise.
BPPV: simple procedure in which the doctor or a physical therapist maneuvers the position of the head, and is usually effective after one or two treatments.

Lifestyle and Home remedies:

Sit or lie down immediately when you feel dizzy.
Avoid moving suddenly.
Walk with a cane for stability if necessary.
Avoid using caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
Fall-proof your home by removing tripping hazards, and install non-slip mats on bath and shower floors.