4 Common Causes of Dizziness

Dizziness, often called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, can make necessary daily activities burdensome to accomplish. Nausea, vomiting, and difficulty maintaining balance are common symptoms of dizziness, but the causes can vary. Sadly, dizziness can indicate a severe health condition that requires professional attention. 

If you are experiencing motion sickness or struggling to maintain your balance due to dizziness, One Accord Physical Therapy, with locations in Casa Grande, Gilbert, Mesa, and Phoenix, Arizona, can provide treatment options. Here are four common causes for your symptoms and their possible treatments. 

Ear infections

Caused by inflammation in the inner-ear, viral or bacterial ear infections can lead to a combination of dizziness, nausea, ringing in your ear, hearing loss, or vomiting. When the inner ear is irritated, the nerves inside your ear send signals to your brain that let it know if you are off-balance or if you are having difficulties with hearing. Treatment for an ear infection can include medications to combat the feelings of nausea and dizziness, while antibiotics work to fight off the infection. 

Hypotension

If your blood pressure drops unexpectedly, you may experience dizziness as a result of hypotension. Hypotension, also referred to as low blood pressure, stems from insufficient blood supply to your brain associated with dehydration and genetics. In some instances, pregnancy also leads to this condition. 

Additional low blood pressure symptoms may include fainting, confusion, breathing difficulties, or a weak and shallow pulse. Treatment for hypotension depends on the severity but may involve repositioning your body, dietary changes, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and staying hydrated. 

Low blood sugar

People with diabetes are used to monitoring their blood glucose levels. However, your blood glucose levels can dip throughout the day, even if you do not have diabetes. If you feel excessively hungry, shaky, sweaty, or confused on top of feeling dizzy, the culprit may be low blood sugar. Sugary drinks and candy can help with low blood sugar in a pinch. A dietician can help to create a well-balanced meal plan to prevent it from occurring altogether. 

Peripheral neuropathy

If your nerves are damaged, they can interrupt your brain's normal communication process with other parts of your body, resulting in peripheral neuropathy. Causes of nerve damage may involve traumatic injury, repetitive motion, age, and disease. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can include pain, tingling, numbness, and dizziness. 

Depending on the cause of your nerve damage, treatment options may vary. If you are looking to avoid surgical intervention, both physical therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are excellent treatment options for your peripheral neuropathy. 

At the first sign of trouble, the therapists at One Accord Physical Therapy are ready to help. Our team of experts is equipped with advanced treatment options for various ailments, including dizziness resulting from ear infections, peripheral neuropathy, hypotension, and low blood sugar. Give us a call or use our convenient online scheduling tool to book your appointment today.