Dizziness can mean different things to different people. Some people may experience brief spells of dizziness from time to time, while others may have a more prolonged episode that affects their daily activities. The good news is that dizziness is not a sign of something serious or life-threatening, and in most cases,s it’s an indication of another underlying issue with implications for your overall health. When you feel dizzy, it’s important to consult with a doctor because several medical conditions could be the cause. This article will answer some common questions about dizziness and vertigo.
Why Do I Feel Dizzy When I Close My Eyes?
It is normal thing to feel dizzy when you close your eyes. It happens because our eyes are used to process information from the environment. As we are closing our eyes, the brain system makes it more active so that we can focus on things around us. The system behind our eyelids isn’t used to process any information, so it will not make anything clear or sharp. Therefore, we feel the feeling of dizziness when we close our eyes. However, this is a short-term thing, and it will go away once you open your eyes again.
What Is Dizziness?
- Dizziness is a subjective sensation that is difficult to put into words. It’s a feeling of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, confusion, or some combination of these symptoms. In addition, it’s possible to experience visual disturbances that may be accompanied by feelings of confusion and disorientation.
- Dizziness can be a symptom of many different conditions that affect the nervous system, including anxiety, stress, hormonal changes, and certain chronic conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes.
- Most of the time, dizziness is harmless. Although it can be worrisome and extremely uncomfortable, it’s not usually a sign of something serious or life-threatening. In most cases, dizziness is an indication of another underlying issue with implications for your overall health.
Causes Of Dizziness
- Vertigo is a feeling of spinning. It occurs when an individual experiences vertigo due to a disturbance in the vestibular system in the inner ear that controls balance and spatial orientation. Vertigo is usually associated with dizziness, which is often caused by disorders affecting the vestibular system. Unfortunately, most people who experience vertigo do not seek treatment for it because they don’t know what it is or how to treat it; therefore many cases go undiagnosed and untreated.
- Vertigo can also occur as the symptom of another medical condition or disease, such as Meniere’s disease, stroke, or head injury. Vertigo may accompany other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting; however, this is not always the case. Some individuals may experience only one symptom while others may experience all three together (vertiginous nystagmus). Vertigo may also be triggered by certain drugs or medications such as anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines), antidepressants (SSRIs,) and some drugs used to treat high blood pressure.
- The most common types of vertigo are motion-induced vertigo and positional vertigo. Motion-induced vertigo occurs when the individual experiences dizziness as a result of standing up or sitting down, looking down, or turning their head. Positional vertigo occurs when an individual experiences dizziness when they are in a certain position, such as lying down.
- The cause of motion-induced vertigo is not known, but it is thought to be caused by the inner ear’s ability to tell the difference between movements in different directions. Positional vertigo may occur for no reason at all or it may be triggered by a specific activity such as driving or walking; however, it can also occur without any known trigger.
- Motion sickness, also known as seasickness and airsickness, is nausea and vomiting that result from motion (such as being on a boat) or from an environment that induces motion sickness (such as flying). Motion sickness may be accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, headache, sweating, and lightheadedness. Motion sickness affects one out of four people and may affect people in different ways: some people experience only mild nausea while others experience severe nausea with vomiting and diarrhea; some people experience only vomiting and dizziness while others experience nausea, vomiting,g, and diarrhea.
Medication-Induced dizziness
- If you’ve been taking a medication that affects your central nervous system, you may experience dizziness as a side effect. For example, certain anti-depressants, painkillers, and sleep aids can cause dizziness. If you suspect that dizziness may be caused by a medication you’re taking, talk to your doctor. They may be able to recommend an alternative medication that won’t cause dizziness. Keep in mind that dizziness can also be a side effect of antibiotics, antacids, antiseizure medications, and birth control pills. If you experience dizziness while taking a medication, let your doctor know. They may be able to adjust your dosage or suggest an alternative treatment.
- If you’ve been taking a medication that affects your central nervous system, you may experience vertigo as a side effect. For example, certain anti-depressants, painkillers, and sleep aids can cause vertigo. If you suspect that vertigo may be caused by a medication you’re taking, talk to your doctor. They may be able to recommend an alternative medication that won’t cause vertigo. Keep in mind that dizziness can also be a side effect of antibiotics, antacids, antiseizure medications, and birth control pills. If you experience dizziness while taking a medication, let your doctor know. They may be able to adjust your dosage or suggest an alternative treatment.
- Certain medications can cause dizziness as well as other symptoms such as drowsiness and tiredness (dizziness + fatigue) such as:
- Dizziness is usually the first symptom of Ménière’s disease and occurs when there is an imbalance in the fluid pressure within the inner ear resulting in fluctuating sounds within the ear causing tinnitus (ringing sound). The symptoms of Ménière’s disease are often related to hearing loss.
- There may be fluctuating tinnitus, pressure in the ears, and hearing loss. The diagnosis is based on the symptoms. If the patient has Ménière’s disease, the condition should be treated with ear drops and/or surgery.
- Ménière’s disease is associated with a genetic mutation that causes an abnormal buildup of endolymphatic fluid within the inner ear. These fluid buildups often occur in response to an infection of the inner ear (meningitis and are called endolymphatic hydrops.
- Dizziness can also result from a lack of blood flow to the brain, resulting from such conditions as stroke or blood clotting disorders such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If you have dizziness due to low blood flow, you may not be able to feel pain in your head or face; this is known as central vestibular neuronopathy (CVEN). It is very important that if you have CVEN or any other type of head injury that you seek immediate medical attention.
Conclusion
It’s important to understand what causes your dizziness so that you can take the right steps to feel better. If you’re experiencing chronic dizziness, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor. They may be able to recommend treatments that can help with your symptoms.
FAQ
Q: What causes dizziness?
A: Dizziness can be caused by many different conditions and diseases, including vertigo, ear infections, blood clots in the brain, stroke,s and migraines. If you have dizziness that does not seem to go away with time, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor. They may be able to help you find out what is causing your symptoms.
Q: What causes vertigo?
A: Vertigo is a sensation of spinning, spinning, spinning without any known cause. It can be a symptom of many different conditions and diseases, including Ménière’s disease, migraine,s and brain tumors. If you have vertigo that does not seem to go away with time, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor. They may be able to help you find out what is causing your symptoms.
Q: What causes dizziness with ear infections?
A: Dizziness can be caused by an ear infection, which is an inflammation of the middle ear (eardrum). Ear infections are often caused by bacteria that get into the middle ear through the eustachian tube (the tube connecting the back of your throat to the middle ear). If you have dizziness with an ear infection, you should see your doctor as soon as possible to find out what is causing these symptoms.
