Dizziness

Dizziness is a term used to describe a range of sensations such as feeling faint, woozy, weak, or unsteady. From a medical standpoint, dizziness is not a disease itself but rather a symptom of various disorders. It can be a result of disturbances in the inner ear, which is responsible for the body's sense of balance (vestibular system), or issues in other parts of the body, including the brain or the heart. The experience of dizziness can be subjective and is often challenging for patients to describe, as it may also encompass feelings of vertigo (a spinning sensation), disequilibrium (a sense of imbalance or unsteadiness), and presyncope (near-fainting).

The causes of dizziness can range from benign to serious. Dehydration, medication side effects, sudden drops in blood pressure, problems with the inner ear such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's disease, vestibular neuronitis, or labyrinthitis, as well as neurological conditions such as a stroke or multiple sclerosis, can all lead to dizziness. A thorough medical evaluation is often necessary to determine the underlying cause, involving a review of the patient's history, physical examination, and possibly diagnostic tests. Treatment for dizziness depends on the cause and may include medications, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, or surgery in more severe cases.