DIZZINESS
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The brain coordinates information from
the eyes, the inner ear, and the body's senses to maintain balance.
If any of these information sources is disrupted, the brain may not
be able to compensate. For example, people sometimes experience
motion sickness because the information from their body tells the
brain that they are sitting still, but information from the eyes
indicates that they are moving. The messages don't correspond and
dizziness results.
Vision and the body's senses are the most important systems for
maintaining balance, but problems in the inner ear are the most
frequent cause of dizziness. The inner ear, also called the
vestibular system, contains fluid that helps fine tune the
information the brain receives from the eyes and the body. When
fluid volume or pressure in one inner ear changes, information about
balance is altered. The discrepancy gives conflicting messages to
the brain about balance and induces dizziness.
Certain medical conditions can cause dizziness, because they affect
the systems that maintain balance. For example, the inner ear is
very sensitive to changes in blood flow. Because medical conditions
such as high blood pressure or low blood sugar can affect blood
flow, these conditions are frequently accompanied by dizziness.
Circulation disorders are the most common causes of dizziness. Other
causes are head injury, ear infection, allergies, and nervous system
disorders.
Dizziness often disappears without treatment or with treatment of
the underlying problem, but it can be long term or chronic.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 42% of Americans
will seek medical help for dizziness at some point in their lives.
The costs may exceed a billion dollars and account for five million
doctor visits annually. Episodes of dizziness increase with age.
Among people aged 75 or older, dizziness is the most frequent reason
for seeing a doctor. |
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| DIZZINESS RELATED ITEMS |
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