Home      Discussion      Topics      Dictionary      Almanac
Signup       Login
Dizziness

Dizziness

Discussion
Ask a question about 'Dizziness'
Start a new discussion about 'Dizziness'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum
 
Encyclopedia
Dizziness refers to an impairment in spatial perception and stability. It is considered imprecise. It can be used to mean vertigo
Vertigo (medical)
Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness, a major symptom of a balance disorder. It is the sensation of spinning or swaying while the body is actually stationary with respect to the surroundings.The effects of vertigo may be slight...

, presyncope
Presyncope
Pre-syncope is lightheadedness, muscular weakness and feeling faint as opposed to a syncope, which is actually fainting. Pre-syncope does not result from primary central nervous system pathology, nor does it originate in the inner ear but is most often cardiovascular in etiology. In many...

, disequilibrium
Disequilibrium
Disequilibrium is a term used to describe the lack of or opposite of a equilibrium.* in medicine:** Disequilibrium in cerebral palsy - a syndrome described by Hagberg & all** lack of equilibrioception*lack of economic equilibrium...

, or for a non-specific feeling such as giddiness or foolishness.
  • Vertigo
    Vertigo (medical)
    Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness, a major symptom of a balance disorder. It is the sensation of spinning or swaying while the body is actually stationary with respect to the surroundings.The effects of vertigo may be slight...

     is a specific medical term used to describe the sensation of spinning or having one's surroundings spin about them. Many people find vertigo very disturbing and often report associated nausea and vomiting.

  • Disequilibrium
    Disequilibrium
    Disequilibrium is a term used to describe the lack of or opposite of a equilibrium.* in medicine:** Disequilibrium in cerebral palsy - a syndrome described by Hagberg & all** lack of equilibrioception*lack of economic equilibrium...

     is the sensation of being off balance, and is most often characterized by frequent falls in a specific direction. This condition is not often associated with nausea or vomiting.

  • Presyncope
    Presyncope
    Pre-syncope is lightheadedness, muscular weakness and feeling faint as opposed to a syncope, which is actually fainting. Pre-syncope does not result from primary central nervous system pathology, nor does it originate in the inner ear but is most often cardiovascular in etiology. In many...

     is lightheadedness
    Lightheadedness
    Light-headedness is a common and often unpleasant sensation of dizziness and/or feeling that one may be about to faint, which may be transient, recurrent, or occasionally chronic. In some cases, the individual may feel as though his or her head is weightless. The individual may also feel as...

    , muscular weakness and feeling faint as opposed to a syncope
    Syncope (medicine)
    Syncope is the medical term for fainting, a sudden, usually temporary, loss of consciousness generally caused by insufficient oxygen in the brain either through cerebral hypoxia or through hypotension, but possibly for other reasons...

    , which is actually fainting.

  • Non-specific dizziness is often psychiatric in origin. It is a diagnosis of exclusion and can sometimes be brought about by hyperventilation.

See also

  • Motion sickness
    Motion sickness
    Motion sickness or kinetosis, also known as Travel Sickness, is a condition in which a disagreement exists between visually perceived movement and the vestibular system's sense of movement...

  • Balance disorder
    Balance disorder
    A balance disorder is a disturbance that causes an individual to feel unsteady, giddy, woozy, or have a sensation of movement, spinning, or floating. Balance is the result of a number of body systems working together...

  • Vertigo (medical)
    Vertigo (medical)
    Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness, a major symptom of a balance disorder. It is the sensation of spinning or swaying while the body is actually stationary with respect to the surroundings.The effects of vertigo may be slight...

  • Syncope (medicine)
    Syncope (medicine)
    Syncope is the medical term for fainting, a sudden, usually temporary, loss of consciousness generally caused by insufficient oxygen in the brain either through cerebral hypoxia or through hypotension, but possibly for other reasons...

  • Equilibrioception
    Equilibrioception
    Equilibrioception or sense of balance is one of the physiological senses. It helps prevent humans and animals from falling over when walking or standing still.-Normal balance functioning:...

  • The spins
    The spins
    The spins is a term used to describe an adverse reaction of intoxication that causes a state of dizziness and nausea, causing one to feel as if he or she is "spinning out of control". It is most commonly associated with drunkenness or mixing alcohol with other psychoactive drugs., namely cannabis...

    , a state of dizziness and disorientation due to intoxication

External links