When you feel the world turning, when it seems that the walls around you and the floor under you are moving, you know there is a problem!

Fortunately, in most cases, this is not a serious problem. Dizziness caused by serious disease is rather rare. When it is accompanied by a loss of consciousness, severe headaches, chest tightness or arm pain, it can be symptomatic of a cardiac valve problem, a myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack), a stroke, hypertension or shock. If you experience dizzy spells accompanied by any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor as quickly as possible. But if dizziness is your only symptom, there is no need to panic. Luckily, this is the case most of the time.

Dizziness, on its own, can be caused by several things, including intense pain, headaches and migraines, fear, blood tests, violent coughing, some medications, excessive drinking, use of illicit drugs or simply by standing up too abruptly. The latter phenomenon occurs primarily among the elderly and in people with low blood pressure. When these people stand up too quickly, it takes a while for the blood flow to reach the brain. The brain lacks oxygen for a few seconds, causing dizziness. This problem can be prevented by avoiding going directly from a sleeping position to a standing position. It is recommended to sit up first, then get up gradually. Likewise, it is recommended that you shake your hands and legs a bit if you have been sitting for a while and want to stand up.

Dizziness often causes loss of balance and falls. You should, therefore, take precautions to avoid falls. Here are a few useful tips:

· Alcohol and sleeping pills: Avoid these substances as much as possible. They can increase dizziness or reduce alertness and cause falls.

· Hypertension when standing up: When you get up, take the necessary precautions. When you have been lying down, never go directly to a standing position. Sit up first then get up gradually. It is recommended that you shake your hands and legs if you have been sitting and want to stand up. Always firmly support y self on surrounding furniture for better stability.

· If possible, do not stay alone: This way, you will not have to stand up unless it is absolutely necessary, reducing the risk of falling.

· Maintain a safe environment: Shoes with laces and rubber soles will be more stable. Store slippery carpets and rugs; avoid stairs as much as possible; take a bath rather than a shower, and always make sure you have assistance when getting in or out of the bath.

 

Occasionally, dizziness can occur for no apparent reason. This means that there is a problem with the system responsible for balance. This small system lies within the ear, behind the eardrum (the little membrane at the back of the auditory canal). It is a small, liquid-filled organ that transmits the necessary messages to the brain to maintain balance. This organ is called the labyrinth because it is made of three loops that seem interconnected like the tunnels of a labyrinth.

A virus may settle in this organ off the centre of balance. The person then experiences dizzy spells and may have difficulty maintaining balance this viral infection is named after the organ that is infected.

This infection is similar to the common cold or the flu. In fact, since it is caused by a virus, the infection cannot be treated with antibiotics. The patient needs to rest, wait for the symptoms to subside and drink plenty of fluids to help eliminate the virus.

Prescription drugs are available that can reduce dizzy spells if they prevent you from engaging in your daily activities. Dizziness is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting that may also be relieved with dimenhydrinate. Your pharmacist can help you decide if you require an anti-nausea drug and, if so, which one.

Dimenhydrinate is available in the form of tablets, syrup, chewable tablets or suppositories. The last two choices can be useful in the case of severe vomiting because they can be absorbed without distending (stretching) the stomach. This facilitates the medication's effect by preventing the reflex of vomiting. This reflex may be induced when the stomach is filling or full. Suppositories do not go into the stomach at all, since they are inserted into the rectum. Chewable tablets can be taken without fluids; simply chewed and swallowed, they control nausea by minimizing the risk of vomiting. Even if you get temporary relief, it is suggested that you consult a doctor, should your symptoms persist beyond ten days. Don't dwell on it... but don't ignore it either

Courtesy - Liverpool Pharmacy 715 Krosno Blvd