Dizziness is commonly described as a feeling of light-headedness, unsteadiness and the feeling that you are about to faint. Dizziness is also commonly associated with the feeling that you or your surroundings seem to rotate endlessly. Such type of dizziness is medically referred to as ‘vertigo’. Dizziness essentially shakes the balance of the individual. The sense of balance depends on a variety of information processed by the brain after receiving inputs from eyes, inner ears and the nervous system.

Loss of balance or feeling dizzy is experienced in the event of signals sent to the brain not being processed due to contradiction in messages or mal- function in sensory systems. Dizziness is among the most common complaints after backache to be experienced by a large majority of people especially older adults. There are various causes that lead to dizziness. Dizziness can be a single short experience or lead to occasional or frequent spells. Though it is not a serious disorder it is important to diagnose the cause and eliminate the reason.

Symptoms of Dizziness

The common symptoms experienced during a spell of dizziness

– Loss of balance

– Light headedness

– Feeling of fainting

– Weakness

– Feeling of continuous rotation of self or surroundings

– Blurring of vision as head spins

– Nausea

Causes of Dizziness

The key causes that lead to dizziness

– Sudden drop in blood pressure or dehydration may inhibit blood to the brain causing lightheadedness.

– Dizziness may be accompanied by various disorders such as: allergies, hypoglycemia, common cold, fever, diarrhea, vomiting or flu.

– Loss of balance or spinning sensation may be related to a malfunction in at least two of three main organs that contribute to our sense of balance: inner ears, eyes or the nervous system.

– Serious disorders that may cause dizziness are: stroke, heart attack, severe drop in blood pressure.

Common home remedies to treat dizziness

– Enhance maintaining balance by learning exercises from a trained physiotherapist

– Reduce stress

– Practice Aerobic exercises

– Develop a regular sleep pattern

– Treat the disorder which is causing dizziness

Diet for Dizziness

People prone to dizziness are advised to avoid foods/ drinks such as

– Iced Tea

– Pina Coladas

– Diet Drinks/ Artificial Sweetener

– Caffeine

– Alcohol

– Tobacco

– Eating sweet and salty foods together

It is important to drink ample water, a minimum of 8-12 glasses of water to ensure blood pressure doesn’t drop due to exercise, high stress activities or due to a hot climate.

Other suggestions and Tips

– It is advisable to sit immediately when you feel dizzy to avoid any possible injuries

– Avoid taking on high stress or concentration requiring activities such as driving a car or operating machinery if you experience frequent dizziness spells

– Rise slowly from bed or spend a few minutes in bed before waking up this helps normalize blood pressure

– Dizziness could be an outcome of side effects caused by intake of certain drugs such as antihistamines and blood pressure medications. Check with the doctor before continuing the dosage