Dizziness when changing position: what medical condition causes this?
Dizziness occurs at all ages, but is more common in the elderly. It often happens upon waking during the night or in the early morning, especially when changing position (leaning left or right). This phenomenon may be transient, but it is often recurrent and prolonged, significantly impacting health. This is due to vestibular disorders.
Dizziness can occur at any age, but it is more common in the elderly. It often happens upon waking during the night or in the early morning, especially when changing position (leaning left or right). While it may be transient, it frequently recurs and persists, significantly impacting health.
Due to vestibular disorders
Dizziness upon changes in posture is most often due to vestibular disorders. The vestibular system is an important part of the ear (called the vestibular cochlea), located behind the eardrum in the cochlea (on both sides), playing a role in maintaining balance, posture, and coordinating other body movements such as eye, head, and body movements.
There are many causes of vestibular syndrome (VSS), such as: poor circulation (circulatory disorders due to anemia, or high or low blood pressure), sudden and unusual weather changes, poisoning from toxins or chemicals (herbicides, insecticides like DDT), food poisoning (due to chemicals or bacterial or fungal toxins), chronic mastoiditis, damage to the vestibular nerve, or the use of certain medications such as aminoglycoside antibiotics (Streptomycin), diuretics, and painkillers. In addition, there are several other contributing factors such as: increasing age, obesity, anemia (causing circulatory disorders), frequent nervous tension (work pressure, internal conflicts, stress, etc.), sitting for long periods in front of a computer, unfavorable living environment (pollution, cramped living conditions, excessive noise, etc.), alcohol addiction, irregular (excessive) sexual activity, and constantly changing and erratic weather are among the factors (or a combination) that can lead to the appearance of vestibular disorder syndrome.
If you suspect you have a vestibular disorder, you should see an ENT specialist or neurologist.
Many experts also mention that vestibular disorders can be caused by cervical spine degeneration, damage to the eighth cranial nerve, brain tumors, or central nervous system disorders (stroke), basilar spondylomyelitis, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, etc.
Symptoms of vestibular disorders
Vestibular disorders often occur in the middle of the night or early morning, upon waking up and being unable to sit up, or due to sudden changes in temperature (e.g., going from an air-conditioned room to an air-conditioned room), causing dizziness and vertigo, possibly accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Vomiting is usually dry heaving or vomiting green or yellow bile. The person feels unsteady, dizzy, and loses balance; attempting to get up and walk may lead to falls or stumble, potentially causing injury or even fractures, especially in elderly individuals with very weak health. Most notably, the dizziness is particularly severe, especially when changing position, meaning tilting from left to right or vice versa, causing dizziness and nausea. Therefore, the patient only wants to remain still with their eyes closed. Dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, nausea, and vomiting, if mild, are transient; if severe, they can last for three hours or even several days if not treated promptly.
Therefore, when experiencing a vestibular disorder, patients should choose a suitable lying position (on their left or right side, or on their back), avoiding changes in position. They should avoid bright lights such as sunlight or artificial light, or loud noises (music, drums, welding machines), as all of these can cause significant discomfort and worsen the condition. To diagnose vestibular disorders, patients need to see a doctor. Depending on the patient's description of their symptoms, the doctor will determine what additional tests and appropriate paraclinical interventions are needed, such as a fasting blood test to check total cholesterol and low cholesterol (LDL-C). If atherosclerosis is suspected, angiography may be performed; endoscopy of the ear, nose, throat, and sinuses (for ear, nose, throat, and sinus diseases) may be conducted. If a brain tumor, vestibular system problems, or stroke are suspected, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be performed.
What should you do if you suspect you have vestibular syndrome?
If you suspect you have a vestibular disorder, you should see an ENT specialist or a neurologist. A medical examination will determine the cause of the disorder. Based on the diagnosis, prevention will be easier and more effective. If you have experienced a vestibular disorder once, the frequency of its occurrence will gradually decrease, and hopefully, it will not recur. If it is due to an ear, nose, throat, sinus, or blood pressure problem, serious treatment is necessary. If it is due to cervical spondylosis, treatment should follow the prescription of your doctor. There are many Western medications available to treat vestibular disorders. However, choosing the most effective medication is the doctor's responsibility; patients should not self-diagnose or self-medicate.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Khac Hau
Doctor's advice In addition to medication, people with vestibular disorders should exercise regularly, gently, and consistently, but with correct movements. Each exercise session should only last 5-10 minutes; prolonged exercise should be avoided. If suffering from rhinitis, pharyngitis, or sinusitis, daily oral and throat hygiene is necessary, such as brushing teeth after meals, before bed, and after waking up, and using saline nasal drops daily to clean the nasal passages from inhaled air containing harmful microorganisms. A balanced lifestyle, both mentally and physically, is essential. It's important to relax and reduce stress through activities like clubs, reading, and watching TV. A healthy and hygienic diet is also crucial, along with adequate daily water intake and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. |
According to Health & Life - NT
