Before answering this question, let’s first understand what Vertigo really is. If you feel dizzy or feel off balance, you may have dizziness. To put it bluntly, if you are having vertigo, you feel as if the world around you is spinning while you are sitting or standing. To know more about vertigo, read this blog here: VERTIGO: WHAT IS IT, CAUSES, SIGNS & TREATMENT
Now let’s dive into the fact, is Vertigo serious?
People who suffer from Vertigo are usually not suffering from anything life-threatening. Neither it affects the well-being of the person, but they want to be aware of some symptoms that can affect a person’s vertigo. They mostly experience feeling ‘wobbly’ or ‘numb’.
They may also have a ‘centrifugal’ feeling (a sensation or feeling of movement outward). Having severe dizziness, people may even lose their balance and fall down. If the vertigo is severe enough; prolonged standing might aggravate it and cause vomiting and headaches too.
However, these may appear only in severe cases. For most people, these symptoms disappear after a few days to weeks without any particular treatment. The problems caused by vertigo are not serious, but it can cause some unpleasant side effects on the health.
However, vertigo can be linked to other potentially serious health conditions.
These conditions may in turn cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting for some people. Therefore, if the condition is not resolved to where the person does not experience any vertigo or symptoms of dizziness, it is necessary that you consult the best vertigo specialist in Kolkata. If a person complains of dizziness and falls, medical aid must be sought immediately.
Vertigo can be caused by any illness or bodily malfunction that affects the functioning of sensory organs (eyes, ears), the nervous system, or the brain. For example, migraine, following brain tumor surgery, etc.
When should I worry?
If you are prone to dizziness and feeling ill, you should consult a Vertigo specialist.
Be aware of these things:
1.) Headaches
Pressure headaches are very common in vertigo patients. What we generally do is, when our head suddenly starts throbbing with pain we think it’s a headache and take painkillers if needed and continue with our day. However, if you are having vertigo spells repeatedly with severe headaches or vertigo headaches, it’s time that you see a specialist. This head throbbing pain could be your brain warning of some sinister causes (like an acute brain stroke, a brain tumor or a bleed in the brain )to take the pulse at the temples to check the level of dizziness.
2. Balance problems
People suffering from vertigo often have an imbalance in their body, thus they have to be sensitive to their surrounding while walking. If they feel dizzy while standing still, it’s time to seek medical attention. This problem can be caused due to functional problems in the brain. Overactive or underactive portions of the brain are a common cause of dizziness. You might want to consult an expert for this kind of problem as well.
3. Loss of consciousness or euphoria
If you are suffering from Vertigo or keep on falling or experiencing blackouts for long periods, that may be a reason that you are losing consciousness which could again be a sign of either a life-threatening cardiological cause(like acute myocardial infarction, heart block etc) or due to hypoxia/diminished blood circulation in the brain.
But you should seek immediate medical care if you experience new, severe dizziness or vertigo along with any of the following:
- Sudden, severe headache
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Numbness or paralysis of arms or legs
- Fainting
- Double vision
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Confusion or slurred speech
- Stumbling or difficulty walking
- Ongoing vomiting
- Seizures
- A sudden change in hearing
- Facial numbness or weakness
Contact us now to know more about your health condition!
Some self-care tips:
Avoid things that cause vertigo such as high altitudes, car and amusement park rides, and swinging.
Ease sudden movement by stretching.
Avoid being in the dark if you suffering from UNTSTEADINESS,it may sometimes be a sequel of Bilateral vestibulopathy.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Support the head with pillows while sleeping on your side. People find it helpful to elevate their heads on a pillow or soft couch cushion. This may sometimes be beneficial for the treatment of positional vertigo.
Watch movies at a normal speed to help reduce anxiety – is a big no-no! Make sure they are not in 3D or while you are wearing glasses. Be aware of some horror films that can trigger fear feelings (thrilling, fast-paced scenes, etc). This will result in the individual becoming anxious and having to run away.
Help reduce symptoms by performing gentle head movements. The longer you hold this position the more it will reduce your vertigo symptoms. A good way to do this is to move your head gently from one side to the other. When you feel a little dizzy, stop and relax for two or three seconds before trying again. If you feel nauseated or dizzy after doing so, stop immediately and then repeat this exercise a couple of times before resuming.
Anxiety attacks are an overreaction of your vestibular system caused by anxiety and stress, as a part of the balance of the body is maintained by the Psychic and cognitive system of the brain, hence if there is any psychological overlay in someone then it may present with a feeling of Unsteadiness.
Final Words: Vertigo is a sense of dizziness or unsteadiness when the person’s balance is challenged. It can also be caused by certain medications, head injuries, or ear infections. Vertigo isn’t dangerous in and of itself, but it can be very frightening and debilitating and can be linked to other potentially serious health conditions. So, if you are experiencing severe & repetitive vertigo, it is time to contact the best vertigo doctor in Kolkata and seek medical help. They can be your lifeline!
