Light-Headedness or Dizziness

Light-headedness or dizziness is a pretty common experience among the masses as it can even be due to dehydration. Sometimes, it may be normal to experience episodes of light-headedness and nothing to be worried about. However, if it occurs for a prolonged period of time without any apparent cause or if it doesn't get better despite treatment, it is essential to seek medical advice. Treatment of light-headedness may depend upon the underlying problem that is causing light-headedness and the symptoms. Light-headedness treatments are usually effective for the problem at hand but may recur.

Let’s get to know this medical condition in detail.

What is Light-headedness?

The term “light-headedness or dizziness” is a feeling of fainting, losing consciousness, steadiness, or being close to passing out. In most cases, it may occur along with vertigo and might resolve quickly on its own, especially when the person experiencing it sits down or lies down. It usually creates a false sense of spin or movement in the surroundings. It is not a disease itself, but rather a temporary condition that may result from an underlying health problem like dehydration, inner ear disorder, or even hypotension.

Symptoms of Light-headedness

People experiencing light-headedness may describe it as a type of sensation of dizziness. Light-headedness symptoms may include the range of the following sensations.

• Vertigo or a sensation of movement or spin
• Unsteadiness or loss of balance
•  A feeling of heavy-headedness
•  Feeling of floating

Such feelings of light-headedness may be triggered or worsened when standing up or moving the head fast. Such symptoms of light-headedness may recur in separate incidents and may have different reasons.

What Causes Light-headedness?

There are many reasons for light-headedness including inner ear disturbances, motion sickness, and certain medications. Sometimes, some reasons for feeling lightheaded may also include problems like injury, infection, or poor blood circulation. Some of the common reasons for feeling light-headed may include the following.

1. Inner Ear Problems: The inner ear is responsible for maintaining balance, disturbances in the inner ear canal fluid may lead to feeling lightheaded. In general, the sense of balance depends on the collective action of the sensory organs which includes the eyes, inner ears, and sensory nerves. With inner ear disorders, the brain receives signals that are not consistent with what the eyes see and the sensory nerves are receiving. This may lead to light-headedness and vertigo (a sensation that the surroundings are moving or spinning).

Such inner ear disorders can be caused by infections and migraines, or even some other health conditions like:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Such a condition of vertigo is associated with rapidly changing head movement such as when a person experiences a blow to the head. 
• Meniere's disease: This is a medical condition in which excessive fluid builds up in the inner ear and is characterised by sudden episodes of vertigo that may last for several hours at a time. There may also be symptoms of hearing loss, or sensations of blockage or ringing in the ears.

2. Circulation Problems: Poor blood circulation may also cause light-headedness, particularly if the heart cannot pump enough blood for the brain. Sometimes, a medical condition known as orthostatic hypotension or a drop in blood pressure may also cause brief light-headedness which can occur when a person stands up too quickly. Conditions like arrhythmias, heart attacks, and cardiomyopathy may also cause dizziness or light-headedness due to a decrease in blood flow to the brain or inner ear.

3. Neurological Conditions: Neurological problems and conditions like Parkinson's disease and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) may lead to a progressive loss of balance and cause light-headedness

4. Medications: Medicines and drugs like blood pressure-lowering medicines, antidepressants, sedatives, and tranquilisers may cause light-headedness.

5. Anxiety Disorders: Some forms of anxiety disorders may cause light-headedness and dizziness such as agoraphobia (fear of open spaces). 

6. Hypoglycemia: It is generally associated with diabetic patients. The blood glucose level may drop severely leading to a condition known as hypoglycemia which may cause symptoms of light-headedness accompanied by sweating. 

7. Anaemia: Anaemia is a medical condition related to low iron levels in the blood which is responsible for aiding the transport of oxygen through the red blood cells. This condition may cause light-headedness and dizziness along with fatigue, weakness, and paleness of the skin.

8. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: When carbon monoxide poisoning occurs, it may cause symptoms like weakness, confusion, dizziness, and headache along with symptoms of vomiting and upset stomach.

9. Dehydration: Severe loss of fluids through sweating or living or working in hot weather conditions for long periods of time can cause dehydration which may lead to feeling faint and dizzy.

When to Seek Medical Help?

Generally, feeling lightheaded may not be a cause of worry. But if it occurs for a prolonged period of time and the cause is not apparent, it may be necessary to seek medical attention. However, if light-headedness is accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention at the earliest.

• Sudden and severe chest pain or headache
• Irregularity or rapidity of heartbeat 
• Difficulty in breathing
• Experiencing double vision
• Numbness or paralysis of one or more of the limbs, and/or the face
• Slurring of speech
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Sudden change in hearing 

How is Light-headedness Treated?

Light-headedness mostly goes away on its own without any treatment. However, it may be prevented or treated at home if no other serious symptoms are present. Light-headedness treatment at home may include managing the symptoms through home remedies and making lifestyle modifications. Some of the common tips to prevent light-headedness at home may include the following:

• Standing or sitting up slowly from a sitting position or lying down 
• Staying hydrated, especially when exercising or working in hot environments  
• Limiting intake of salt
• Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco products 
• Getting enough sleep 
• Try aromatherapy and OTC medicines for vertigo

If light-headedness persists despite the home remedies, visiting a doctor may be recommended to identify the root of the problem. A doctor or healthcare provider may recommend one of the following modes of treatment for light-headedness 

• Medicines such as diuretics, anti-nausea medications, and for migraine
• Physical therapy
• Psychotherapy

How to Prevent Light-headedness?

Light-headedness almost always occurs spontaneously which makes it difficult to prevent light-headedness However, following some simple tips to prevent triggering light-headedness may help. 

• Avoid moving or switching positions rapidly
• Try activities like yoga and performing arts like tai chi that may help to improve balance
• Changing medications under the doctor’s guidance if required
• Keeping OTC medicines and trying home remedies when travelling to prevent motion sickness
• Staying hydrated

Conclusion

Most cases of light-headedness may clear up on their own or after treating the underlying condition. In rare cases, it may be a symptom of a serious health condition like a heart attack. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the severity of the symptoms and any accompanying symptoms that may occur. Recurring episodes of light-headedness may also occur which may require professional treatment.

FAQs 

1. What is the immediate relief for light-headedness?

Ans: To get immediate relief from light-headedness, it is important to sit down or lie down in a dark environment.

2. What is a natural remedy for light-headedness?

Ans: There are many things that may help with light-headedness Ginger is one of the best natural remedies for light-headedness, and it can be added to foods or in tea to get relief.

3. What is the best medicine for light-headedness?

Ans: There are many over-the-counter medicines available to treat light-headedness, especially if it is caused by motion sickness. Antihistamines may also be beneficial for treating light-headedness, however, it is best to consult a doctor before taking any medicine.

4. When does light-headedness go away?

Ans: Light-headedness may go away almost instantly or may linger a few moments before resolving. Sometimes, there may be episodes of severe light-headedness leading to the feeling of faintness or it may come and go.