Dizziness and vertigo are two sensations that, although often confused, are different experiences that can be related to different conditions and causes. Both can be very unpleasant and worrying, therefore it is essential to understand the differences between them in order to seek appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Below, we offer you the opportunity to explore in depth the characteristics and causes of these two experiences, helping you discern between one state and another. Keep reading and learn the Differences between dizziness and vertigo: understanding the disconcerting sensations can improve your quality of life.
What is dizziness?
Dizziness is a feeling of instability or imbalance which can manifest itself in various ways. Some of the most common characteristics of dizziness would be the following:
- numb feeling: People who experience dizziness may feel lightheaded or as if they are "out of it." They may describe it as a feeling of mental confusion.
- Floating sensation: Some people feel like they are floating or that the ground is moving beneath them. Along with the feeling of daze, it generates a lot of distress in the affected person.
- Weakness or fatigue: Dizziness is often associated with a feeling of general weakness or fatigue. It is a sensation of “not being able to pull the body” because it feels as if it weighs more than ever or the usual forces have diminished to the point of not being able to move the usual body weight.
- Nausea: Some people may experience nausea or an upset stomach when they are dizzy. The digestive system is closely related to the nervous system and that is why it is sensitive to any change that the brain interprets as an “alarm” or danger, generating nausea or vomiting to empty the stomach, since evolutionarily this prepares us for the fight. -flight.
- Excessive sweating: Excessive sweating is another common feature of motion sickness. It usually begins with the hands and feet, later spreading throughout the body. It generates a general suffocating feeling.
Causes of dizziness
Cervical dizziness
The underlying causes of dizziness can be very varied. We present the most frequent ones below:
- Orthostatic hypotension: A sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up. We have all experienced this at some time or relatively frequently. Fatigue favors these sensations since the body does not have enough energy to effectively balance these pressure changes due to sudden movements.
- Visual or sensory triggers: Sudden changes in lighting or visual stimulation can cause dizziness. Surely you have also experienced it at some point after long hours of working in front of the computer, for example.
- Stress or anxiety: Stress and anxiety can cause symptoms of dizziness. In these times of growing anxiety due to the pace of life that society imposes on us, dizziness due to anxiety is the order of the day. They are known as psychogenic dizziness. If you are interested in managing your stress better, you can consult stress management techniques.
- Dehydration: Lack of fluids in the body can cause imbalances and dizziness. The brain is a fascinating organ in its function and composition. Their appearance in vivo It is like that of gelatin and this is due to its extraordinary aqueous composition. With all this, the brain is the first organ that suffers dehydration in the body, its functions being altered and causing dizziness.
- inner ear problems: Some inner ear conditions can cause dizziness, but rarely cause vertigo. The balance of our body is orchestrated by the electrolytes in the inner ear that move in time with our movements, sending an electrical signal to the brain that tells us our body position. Problems at the level of the inner ear can send arbitrary signals to the brain, which does not know how to interpret, so that not knowing what position we are in, we feel dizzy.
- Cervical problems: Dysfunctions at the cervical level are a frequent cause of dizziness since the pairs of cranial nerves are related to the vestibular system.
What is vertigo?
Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or movement which is different from dizziness. The main characteristics of vertigo include:
- Illusion of movementIn vertigo, people feel as if they or their surroundings are spinning or moving, even though they are still. It's a truly disconcerting sensation that's accompanied by extreme confusion, anxiety, and sometimes nausea, even vomiting.
- Rotational dizziness: Vertigo is often described as a sensation of rotating dizziness. We just mentioned it, the feeling that everything is spinning around us is inevitably accompanied by dizziness, in that case, rotational.
- nystagmus: In some cases of vertigo, the eyes may experience involuntary movements, called nystagmus. It is reached when the vertigo has reached a considerable magnitude. It requires immediate medical attention and is quite shocking to see from the outside.
- Triggered by position changes: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common type of vertigo that is triggered by changes in head position. This occurs due to the presence of small calcium carbonate particles called "otoconia" found in the semicircular canals of the inner ear. When you move your head, these particles can shift within the semicircular canals, sending conflicting signals to the brain about head position and body balance. This causes a feeling of vertigo, dizziness and imbalance.
Causes of vertigo
Inner ear vestibular system
Vertigo is usually related to problems in the vestibular system of the inner ear, which is responsible for balance and the perception of movement. Some of the common causes of vertigo include:
- BPPV: As mentioned above, BPPV is a common cause of vertigo and is due to small particles in the inner ear, the otoconia.
- Meniere's disease: a chronic condition of the inner ear that causes vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and hearing loss. It is believed to be related to abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear. It causes debilitating episodes of vertigo that are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
- Vestibular neuritis: an inflammation of the vestibular nerve that can cause severe vertigo. It can be caused by viral infections and sometimes has no apparent cause.
- vestibular migraine: Migraines can trigger episodes of vertigo. Migraine sufferers have their lives affected significantly. In migraine attacks, a great sensitivity to light and sound is experienced, frequently accompanied by a great sensation of vertigo, nausea and vomiting. This type of migraine can occur with or without a headache.
- Inner ear tumors: These tumors, called acoustic neuromas, are rare but when they occur they can cause vertigo, hearing loss and tinnitus.
Key differences between dizziness and vertigo
At this point, we are sure that you already know quite well how to distinguish the main differences between dizziness and vertigo. However, for a better understanding of these two conditions - commonly confused - we are going to make a key description of the main differences between them.
In essence Dizziness has a physiological cause that is mostly mild and easily treatable. Vertigo, on the other hand, usually has a more complex underlying cause that requires more specialized treatments.. The following items summarize the symptomatological differences between these two conditions that are so similar and at the same time different:
- Sensation of movement: In motion sickness, people may feel unsteady but do not experience a sensation of real movement. In vertigo, there is a clear sensation of movement, whether rotation or movement of the environment.
- underlying cause: Dizziness can be caused by a variety of factors, such as stress or dehydration, while vertigo is usually related to problems in the inner ear, as occurs in the vertigo in children.
- Duration: Dizziness tends to be shorter-lived and can improve quickly once its underlying causes are addressed. Vertigo may be more persistent and recurrent.
- Nausea and vomiting: Although dizziness can sometimes cause nausea, vertigo is more likely to cause nausea and vomiting, especially during more intense episodes.
Diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis and treatment of dizziness and vertigo depend on the triggering cause. If you experience persistent or recurring symptoms of dizziness or vertigo, it is essential to seek medical attention. A doctor will perform a physical examination and, in some cases, may recommend tests such as balance tests, audiometers, or MRIs to identify the underlying cause.
Treatment will vary depending on the cause and may include:
- Blood pressure management in the case of dizziness due to orthostatic hypotension.
- Vestibular rehabilitation therapy to improve balance.
- Pharmaceutical products to treat underlying conditions such as Menière's disease or vestibular migraines.
- Repositioning maneuvers for BPPV.
- Surgery in cases of tumors or other more serious conditions.
Consult a doctor or pharmacist
Although dizziness and vertigo share some similarities in their symptoms, they are different experiences with well-differentiated causes and characteristics. If you experience any of these symptoms on a recurring basis, seek the attention of a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan specific to your situation. Understanding these differences is an important step in addressing and relieving these annoying and challenging sensations.
Don't hesitate, your health should not be postponed and if you suffer from persistent dizziness or vertigo, go to a health professional. Appreciate the differences between dizziness and vertigo: understanding the disconcerting sensations you experience can prevent further illnesses and improve your quality of life.
