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Dizziness: Causes and Treatments

Everyone becomes dizzy sometimes, but if your dizziness wasn’t caused by physically spinning around in circles, you might be experiencing an underlying medical issue. Fortunately, the causes of dizziness aren’t typically potentially serious disorders. However, if your dizziness is recurring, you are at risk of falling or feeling lightheaded while driving, which can put your life at risk regardless of the cause.

Dizziness shouldn’t be ignored. Please seek a medical evaluation if you experience dizziness and can’t identify a contributing factor. CardioVascular Health Clinic provides complete care and treatment for dizziness and related conditions. Here, we share the common causes and treatment options. 

What Causes Dizziness?

Dizziness is a feeling of physical unsteadiness – the sensation that the ground is moving under your feet – accompanied by lightheadedness and sometimes nausea. The symptoms might be intensified by standing or making sudden movements. 

Please seek medical attention if you’re experiencing the following symptoms:

  • Severe head pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Inability to move arms or legs
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Blurred vision
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Facial paralysis
  • Loss of hearing
  • Seizures
  • Disorientation/confusion

There are numerous causes of dizziness, which can range from environmental factors to complex medical issues. The following conditions can contribute to dizziness:

Circulation Disorders

Dizziness can occur when your heart cannot pump sufficient blood to your brain. Some of the causes include:

  • Heart failure: Abnormal heart rhythm caused by a narrowed heart valve can cause dizziness, particularly when rising from a seated position quickly. Symptoms of heart failure can also include persistent cough, abdominal swelling, swollen legs and feet, and fatigue.
  • Orthostatic hypotension: Orthostatic hypotension is characterized by a significant drop in blood pressure when standing suddenly, leading to dizziness. It can be triggered by dehydration, blood loss, or certain medications. Symptoms can also include blurred vision and fatigue.

Environmental Contributors

Dizziness can occur as a result of certain environmental factors. These can include:

  • Carbon monoxide poisoning: Carbon monoxide poisoning disrupts the body’s ability to use oxygen. It can occur when exposed to burning fuel in an unventilated area, such as when a natural gas leak occurs in the home, or when in a closed garage with a running car. Symptoms include dizziness, elevated heartbeat, nausea, loss of consciousness, and cardiac arrest. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.
  • High atmospheric pressure: Atmospheric pressure changes can sometimes trigger migraines or disruptions in the vestibular system, sometimes leading to vertigo.
  • Allergies: While not common, people suffering from severe allergic rhinitis (hay fever) can experience dizziness, a condition sometimes called “seasonal vertigo.”
  • Heat exhaustion: When the temperature rises, the body increases the flow of blood to the skin, causing a disruption of blood flow to the brain, occasionally causing dizziness and sometimes fainting. High humidity can exacerbate sensitivity to heat. This condition is more common among people who are unused to high temperatures. Symptoms include dizziness, raised pulse, muscle cramps, nausea, and headache. 

Sensory Processing Disorders

Sensory disorders can disrupt your equilibrium and cause you to lose coordination and balance. They can also cause changes to how you perceive sounds, smells, and images. Sensory disorders are most commonly diagnosed in children, but adults can be affected, too. 

Vertigo is a symptom of a sensory disorder that is either caused by an inner ear dysfunction (vestibular labyrinth) that affects balance, or a brain disorder. Symptoms of vertigo include feeling as though the room is spinning, hearing loss, nausea, ringing in the ears, double vision, and difficulty speaking.

How is Dizziness Treated?

Dizziness has varying causes, all requiring different treatment protocols. If you have experienced dizziness more than once without being able to identify the cause, please seek medical attention. Contact our helpful team to schedule a comprehensive consultation today.  

Patient Resources

We’re committed to timely, efficient, and affordable care.
Here is a collection of useful resources our new and existing patients need in one convenient location.
Please let us know if you need additional information or have any questions.

Testimonials

I’m about one month out and things are so much better. At my two week evaluation my symptom score had gone from a 27 to a 7, and I’m sure it’s even better now. That speaks volumes. Now that I’m post recovery, there is no incontinence, I go to the bathroom much less and there are no ED side effects like there are with other procedures. In regard to my quality of life, well, I don’t maintain my life based on my proximity to a bathroom anymore.

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Blaine P., M.D.
Professional staff working in a beautiful facility with great doctors who sincerely care about their patients. Without Dr. Schmidt's skill, I would have needed heart bypass surgery instead of a stent. Follow-up has been thorough. I can't recommend them highly enough.
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LeAnn H.

Dr. Jim Melton and all the staff are fantastic. He is an excellent surgeon and his team is GREAT!!!! I just had surgery at the surgery center, I have only great things to say about my experience. Without him I really don't think I would be here to write this. If you’re looking for a good cardiovascular team, they are a 5 star for sure.

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Susie H.

Dr. Parsons and staff are amazing. He truly listened to me from the consult. Staff showed genuine care for my progress post procedure. I had my follow up appointment today so satisfied with results. Blake made me comfortable from the start. He is an activist for uterine fibroids treatment beyond the standard.

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Tamara M.

Professional and caring staff. Dr. Smith is very knowledgeable and shows genuine concern for your personal health. I enjoyed the background music in the procedure room, it really adds to the relaxing atmosphere.

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David L.

Dr. John Schrader is the most personable doctor we know. He stays on top of my dads health care and is genuinely concerned about his health. We never leave his office with questions. He answers them all. Even questions we don’t think of. Always professional but never cold or bad bedside manner. In our opinion he is THE BEST around.
Thank you Dr Schrader.

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Kathy J.

I came to Dr. Warren by a self referral for mals when it took me 8yrs 50+ doctors and thousands of dollars spent on no answers. My first visit I was scared I was just going to be gaslighted just like the past however I was pleasantly shocked when Dr. Warren immediately believed me. She took the time to review many disk I had brought from past tests. She never once dismissed me and listened to ever word I had to say. She scheduled one last test to confirm the diagnosis then I was scheduled for surgery right away. Surgery was a success and I can’t thank her and her staff enough. Dr. Warren truly saved my life.

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Angie W.

Dr. Garner literally saved my life 18 months ago and I've followed him to his new practice with Cardiovascular Health. He explains things so clearly, listens and is just a very nice person. His staff is great, too! I highly recommend!

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D Watts

Some of the nicest staff that I have ever dealt with!! They have been so incredibly awesome to my mom!! Would definitely recommend them to anyone!! Thank you so much for being so great with her!!

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Christy G.

The staff, the nurses, and Dr. Parsons were all amazing. Everything was simple and went well – very Bravo Zulu (military phrase meaning "well done"). In addition to the great staff at CardioVascular Health Clinic, the facilities were clean and well maintained. I have no complaints about anything. The whole experience was A1. I would recommend Dr. Parsons to anyone. He made a huge impact on my life.

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John W.

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