Dizziness

You're woozy and wobbly, and the room's spinning faster than a Las Vegas slot machine. The last time you felt like this, you were riding the killer coaster on Coney Island.

But what does it mean if you get that kind of dizzy feeling when you're simply rolling over in bed? Or just walking across the room?

There's no easy answer. Dizziness is one of the leading complaints heard by doctors (second only to backache), and it has many causes. Among them: certain medications, fainting, dehydration and a range of more serious health problems.

Doctors carefully distinguish between vertigo, which means a spinning sensation; disequilibrium, which is the sensation of being off balance; and dizziness, which can include light-headedness, a swimming sensation, vertigo or disequilibrium.

The merry-go-round feeling of vertigo indicates an inner ear problem and may have many causes, including head injury, viral infection or Meniere's disease (excessive pressure in the inner ear fluid). The inner ear relays messages to the balance center in your brain, and when those messages are incorrect, your brain reads "TILT!" Sometimes an inner ear problem causes you to feel off balance when you stand or walk.

If you experience occasional dizzy spells and your doctor has ruled out a serious medical condition, here are some tactics that can't do any harm and may help you stop the merry-go-round.

Focus on a fixed point. If you suddenly feel dizzy, stand still and focus on something stationary, such as a window frame. "Focusing on a fixed point across the room gives your brain more visual information about balance and helps the dizziness pass quickly," says Dennis O'Leary, Ph.D., professor of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery at the University of Southern California and director of the University of Southern California Hospital Balance Center, both in Los Angeles. If you have a dizzy spell when traveling in a car or on a boat, focus on the distant scenery or the horizon.

Rise s-l-o-w-l-y. Many people feel dizzy when they get out of bed too suddenly, says Susan Herdman, Ph.D., associate professor of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Getting up too quickly results in a temporary drop in blood pressure and a decrease in the blood flow to the brain. The solution is simple. "Don't bound out of bed," says Dr. Herdman. "Instead, sit on the edge of the bed for a minute to normalize blood pressure, then slowly stand."

Remember to drink up in summer. When you perspire excessively in hot weather or during exercise, your blood pressure may drop, and you lose important minerals, according to DL Herdman. So try to drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water on hot days. If you're exercising, drink water before and after exercise as well.

Breathe slowly and steadily. If you sometimes hold your breath or hyperventilate (breathe too rapidly) when you're stressed or exercising, your body expels more carbon dioxide than usual. The result: dizziness. To slow down your breathing, concentrate on pushing your belly out when you inhale and pulling it in as you exhale. And while you're doing that, keep your shoulders still. With slower, deeper breathing, the carbon dioxide balance is restored, and dizziness disappears.

When to See the Doctor

A mild dizzy spell now and then is probably harmless. But if dizziness comes on suddenly and is accompanied by chest pains, a rapid heartbeat, blurred vision or numbness, see a doctor immediately, advises Michael Weintraub, M.D., clinical professor of neurology at New York Medical College in Valhalla. "This kind of dizziness could signal a heart attack or stroke," he says.

Also be sure to see the doctor if you experience deafness or hear ringing in your ear after an attack of dizziness. This could be symptom of Meniere's disease, a disorder of the inner ear, according to Dr. Weintraub. Other symptoms of Meniere's disease include nausea and vomiting, jerky eye movements and a feeling of pressure or pain in one or both ears.

Safety Tips for the Dizziness Prone

Do you have frequent dizzy spells? If so, you may be tempted to spend a lot of safe, snug hours in your favorite armchair rather than risk an off-balance experience. But staying active is essential, because frequent activity helps "retrain your brain" to reduce the dizzy response, according to Dennis O'Leary, Ph.D., professor of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery at the University of Southern California and director of the University of Southern California Hospital Balance Center, both in Los Angeles. With continued movement, in fact, some people find that their dizziness and unsteadiness will decrease dramatically and even disappear, he says.

Here are some precautions to take while you stay on the move.

Get rid of thick carpets. If you have trouble maintaining balance, think about safety when you furnish your home. Choose low-pile carpets or bare wood, says Dr. O'Leary.

Make sure pathways are well lighted. And get rid of toys, scatter rugs and any other objects that may cause you to slip.

Ask someone else to climb ladders. "Don't put yourself in situations where you could easily lose your balance and fall," says Dr. O'Leary.

Try for dizzy-free driving. If riding in a car tends to make you feel dizzy, fix your eyes on the car ahead of you and try not to notice other cars whizzing by, suggests Dr. O'Leary. He also recommends that you avoid glancing out the side windows. And as a passenger, you're less likely to feel dizzy if you avoid reading in the car.

Take a second look at medications. "Dizziness can be an uncomfortable side effect of many common drugs, including antihistamines and blood pressure medications," according to Dr. Herdman. But be sure to ask your doctor before you change your dosage of prescription medications.

Avoid iced tea and piña coladas. Caffeine and alcohol can cause problems for dizziness-prone people, says Dr. Herdman.

Don't go for diet drinks, either. "For some people, consuming foods made with aspartame (NutraSweet) inhibits the uptake of substances that affect the central nervous system as well as the balance center," according to Michael Weintraub, M.D., clinical professor of neurology at New York Medical College in Valhalla. So check labels before you buy.

Nix salty nuts and sweet treats. Both salty and sugary foods change the composition of inner ear fluid and can produce dizziness in susceptible people, says Dr. Herdman.

Have you or a family member had an experience with this? Help others by sharing your story now.

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