Giddiness and Vertigo

Dizziness refers to a range of sensations, like feeling faint, woozy, weak, or unsteady. Dizziness that leads to the false impression that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving is known as vertigo.

Dizziness is a common reason adults seek medical attention and can significantly impact daily life. It often stems from conditions affecting the inner ear, like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular migraine, and vestibular neuritis, which is the inflammation of the inner ear balance apparatus.

When seeking treatment, describing dizziness and its circumstances aids in diagnosis. Medical investigations may involve:

• Medical History Taking – Understanding the nature and timing of the dizziness episodes.
• Physical Examination – Assessing the patient for signs of inner ear dysfunction or neurological issues.
• Diagnostic Tests – Testing may include vestibular function examinations, hearing assessments, and imaging studies, like MRI or CT scans, to identify structural abnormalities.

Treatment for dizziness varies according to its underlying cause and the individual’s symptoms. In milder instances, symptoms might spontaneously resolve when the vestibular system recuperates or as the body adapts. Potential treatments include:

• Medication
• Adjustments to diet
• Basic home exercises
• Vestibular rehabilitation exercises
• Surgical intervention, which is very uncommon