I Feel Dizzy!

I feel lightheaded…. I feel dizzy…. It is a complaint that is not unusual. Could it be the traffic or life in Jakarta? It is usually not a sign of anything serious. We do advise, it should be investigated by a doctor.

Some people can be vague and can be caused by several things. It may not always be easy to identify the underlying cause of dizziness.

This article is written to explain what you should do if you feel dizzy and what the most common causes of dizziness are.

See your GP!

The GP should be your first port of call. This is especially true when you suffer from fainting and headaches at the same time.

By taking a good history your doctor has to establish exactly what you mean by dizziness and determine if you are not actually describing vertigo where you feel your surroundings are spinning or moving around. It is also important to know:

• Did it start for no apparent reason, or if it followed an illness?

• Are they repeated episodes of dizziness?

• How long does the dizziness last?

It can be caused by an ear condition. When the dizziness occurs when you are in the upright position it is probably not related to the ear. Dizziness when you are lying down is usually caused by a viral ear infection. It is a good idea to keep a diary of your dizziness. What were you doing and how long did it last. Did you have any other symptoms like fainting, vomiting, nausea, blurred vision, headache or hearing problems.

It can also be a possible side effect of medication.

You may be referred for further tests and investigations.

Common causes of dizziness

• Inner ear infection (Labyrinthitis) that affects your hearing and balance, this can cause a form of dizziness called vertigo

• Migraine

• Stress or anxiety

• Low blood sugars (usually seen in diabetics)

• Sudden fall in blood pressure when you sit or stand up. This goes away after lying down.

• Dehydration (caused by not drinking, vomiting, diarrhea or fever).

• Decreased blood flow in the brain, which may be caused by blocked blood vessels.

Other causes of dizziness

• A severe illness that is affecting your whole body

• Drugs and alcohol

• Some medication, like antidepressants or blood pressure medication

• Heart rhythm problem

Our advice is to discuss any concerns with your trusted medical practitioner. It is important that you identify a clinic that you are comfortable with.

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