Dizziness is a feeling of unsteadiness, weakness, or wooziness. Vertigo, a sensation of spinning, is a component of dizziness, but it can also occur without vertigo. Everyone occasionally experiences transient dizziness, but if it is chronic, persistent, or recurrent, it could be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. At Happy Ears Balance Center, we can help diagnose and treat the cause.
Types of Dizziness
Four different components make up the human balance system:
- Eyes
- Muscles and joints
- Inner ear
- Brain
The first three components gather input about your position in space and relay the information to your brain, which then processes the data. Dizziness may occur due to a problem processing the information in the brain or a problem with one of the sensory receptors. If there is a problem with any one component of the balance system, it can throw off the functioning of all the others, and dizziness may result.
Types Of Dizziness Based On The Balance System
Central Dizziness
Injuries to the brainstem, tumors or circulatory insufficiency can cause central dizziness. Temporary central dizziness may occur due to intoxication from consuming significant amounts of alcohol.
Muscle-Joint Dizziness
Muscle-joint dizziness is the least common type. It can also occur due to muscular dystrophies or similar conditions that disturb sensation from the joints or muscles.
Neck Dizziness
Also known as cervical vertigo, neck dizziness can occur due to pressure on neck nerves, spinal arthritis, or injury to the neck that causes a muscle spasm, sending confusing signals to the brain.
Visual Dizziness
Visual dizziness occurs when the information sent to the brain by the light receptors in the eye is confusing or contradictory.
Ear Dizziness
Changes in position cause the fluid in the inner ear to move, stimulating nerve endings in a portion of the inner ear called the vestibule, responsible for balance rather than hearing. Symptoms include wooziness, a floating sensation, loss of balance, lightheadedness, and vertigo.
Dizziness Treatment
Dizziness indicates a problem with at least one component of the human balance system, resulting in different types of dizziness. At Happy Ears Balance Center, our technicians are qualified to determine the kind of dizziness you may be experiencing.