Dizziness: what can it be? Pregnancy, anemia and other causes

First of all, dizziness is the loss of physical balance. There are several causes, for example, the drop in pressure, anxiety and the use of medications.

The positions or the form of movement can also be responsible for the sensation of everything rotating.

For example, labyrinthitis can cause dizziness while the person is lying down.

People who have heart problems, anemia, low blood pressure or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may experience dizziness after physical exertion.

The balance of the body is related to a device inside the ear called a labyrinth. Therefore, infections and inflammations in this structure can also result in dizziness.

In more severe cases, dehydration and elevated body temperature may be the cause.

In general, dizziness can be divided into four subtypes:

  • Pre-syncope: there is a decrease in blood flow in the brain, causing darkening of vision, feeling of weakness, temporary deafness and pallor, which can lead to loss of consciousness;
  • Vertigo: rotating or multidirectional movements (as if on a boat) when the person is standing still. Imbalance and difficulty in standing can present;
  • Imbalance : there are difficulties for the person to remain standing or standing. There may also be difficulty in holding objects and speaking;
  • Nonspecific dizziness : it is the most difficult to be diagnosed as it does not have very clear symptoms. It is characterized mainly by malaise, without vertigo or imbalance.

To find out what is the type and cause of the dizziness, a doctor should be consulted, who will analyze the picture as a whole.

In general, temporary or occasional situations, which are not accompanied by nausea, deafness and sensitivity to light, vision changes and headaches, do not represent risks.

Read more: What is Fainting (Syncope), causes, symptoms, what to do and more

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Persistent dizziness: what can it be?

Dizziness can be due to situations such as visual illnesses, hormonal variations, pregnancy, drug use, infections and dehydration.

Dizziness characterized as persistent may be one that has been treated but continues for more than 1 month. They can also be the ones that happen frequently, for more than 3 months.

Some of the most common conditions that can be related to dizziness are:

Anemia

Dizziness is one of the symptoms of anemia . When there is a lack of nutrients, such as iron, the person can become dizzy and even pass out in more serious situations.

Episodes can also be accompanied by pallor, weakness and tiredness . In such cases, it is recommended that the person inform their doctor about the symptoms.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women are experiencing body variations. The dizziness felt in this phase can happen for several reasons:

  • Hormone release;
  • Blood pressure that changes (increases or decreases rapidly);
  • Insulin peaks: glucose levels that decrease;
  • Pressure exerted by the uterus on blood vessels

To reduce dizziness during pregnancy, women should avoid making sudden movements and having a healthy diet, in addition to eating every 3 hours.

Some pregnant women may experience feelings of heat or cold. These sensations can also cause dizziness.

In such cases, it is recommended that the pregnant woman try to reduce the sensation and try to rest for a few minutes, if possible lying down.

In general, dizziness during pregnancy is normal and does not need to be a cause for concern.

But it is recommended to always communicate to the doctor about any symptom Thus, it is possible to better evaluate each case.

Prenatal examinations and medical follow-up are important and can help pregnant women to have a better quality of life during pregnancy.

Read more: What is not normal during pregnancy?

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is an infection in the labyrinth, located in the inner ear. He is responsible for hearing and balance.

When this structure is compromised, it can cause vertigo-type dizziness and affect body balance.

In addition to dizziness, tinnitus, momentary deafness, nausea and loss of balance are also symptoms of labyrinthitis.

Read more: Symptoms labyrinthitis: how to identify inflammation?

Hypotension (low blood pressure)

One of the symptoms of low blood pressure is dizziness, which can lead to fainting.

The drop in pressure happens because the heartbeat is slowed down, which can cause vision darkening, headache and sleep.

Factors such as dehydration, stress , thyroid conditions and hypoglycemia (low sugar level) can contribute to low blood pressure.

Dizziness and nausea

Dizziness, especially vertigo, can be accompanied by nausea. Factors like high blood pressure , anxiety and stress can be the cause of these two complications.

Dizziness and nausea can also indicate pregnancy. This is because, between the first weeks and 3 months, it is common for the woman to have these symptoms.

It is advisable to consult a doctor in order to have a correct and accurate assessment of what is causing the dizziness and nausea.

Dizziness and headache

Dizziness and headache can be symptoms of diseases such as labyrinthitis, anemia and even sinusitis .

Vision problems are also often associated with these 2 symptoms.

The headache can also appear with or after a dizziness, especially in people who are predisposed to migraine .

Brazilian headache society estimates that 50% of migraine attacks are accompanied by dizziness.

But it is advisable to seek a doctor to have an accurate diagnosis of what the causes and treatments may be.

Dizziness on waking or lying down: what to do?

Sudden movements can cause dizziness for some reasons such as the momentary change in blood pressure (which rises or falls very quickly) or the blood flow in the brain.

Therefore, people who have heart or pressure problems may experience dizziness upon waking or lying down. Infections, poor diet and some medications can be the cause as well.

But in general, the main cause of dizziness when standing up is orthostatic hypotension, that is, the drop in blood pressure after getting up quickly.

This malaise generally does not last more than a few seconds, without causing any other type of health complication, and can affect anyone.

However, if dizziness happens frequently, it is recommended to seek medical help.

To have more quality of life and reduce dizziness, some tips can be applied on a daily basis:

  • Avoid making sudden movements: get up and lie down supporting your hands and spine well;
  • When sitting, squatting or getting up, do the movement slowly;
  • Do not go more than 4 hours without eating, even if it is a small portion of food;
  • When getting up, prefer to sit on the bed before standing immediately;
  • Take water (it is recommended to drink between 1.5 and 2 liters per day);

When feeling dizzy, try to sit down or if possible to lie down to avoid falls. Raising your legs above the knee line can also help.

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