Dizziness and vertigo can be caused by a wide range of diseases. Diseases affecting the inner ear and central nervous system are more common causes of vertigo, but it can also be caused by systemic diseases or as a side effect of some medicines. The dizziness is often accompanied by nausea. Nausea is a sensation of uneasiness in the abdomen with an inclination to vomit. Vomiting may or may not follow the nauseating feeling.
During dizziness, the person feels a sensation of movement or unsteadiness when , in fact, there is no movement. This causes a sensory mismatch within the brain. The contrasting signals received by the brain cause stimulation of an area within the brain called the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). Stimulation of the CTZ sends signals for the abdominal muscles to tighten, the contents of the stomach are pushed towards the mouth, causing nausea and and, in some cases, vomiting.
Check out some of the conditions or disorders where nausea and dizziness occur together.
Conditions Or Disorders
- Vestibular problems ( BPPV, Meniere’s disease, Labyrinthitis, Vestibular neuritis)
- Central nervous system problem ( Migraine, Multiple sclerosis, Stroke)
- Middle ear infection
- Motion sickness
- Medicinal side-effects
- Anxiety
- Orthostatic Hypotension
- Hypoglycemia
- Panic attacks
- Pregnancy
- Cardiovascular problems
- Internal bleeding
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Following head injury
Treatment
The treatment for these symptoms (nausea and dizziness) will depend on the underlying condition. Baseline blood tests, vestibular tests to evaluate for inner ear disorders, MRI of the brain, etc. help evaluate the malady causing vomiting sensation and dizziness. Tests for vertigo like Video Video Nystagmography help in identifying the exact cause of some of these diseases.
Medication
Common medicines used to reduce the feeling of nausea include Procloperazine (Stemetil-MD), Domperidone (Domstal) , Ondansteron(Ondem) etc. However if symptoms persist, medical advice is essential.
Ginger is an effective home remedy for controlling nausea. However, it should be avoided in large quantities for diabetic and hypertension patients.
When to seek emergency medical assistance
Even if the symptoms are mild, it is better to consult a physician. If the symptoms get worse causing any of the following situations seek immediate medical assistance.
- Falling unconscious
- Chest pain
- Intense headache
- Irregular heartbeat
- Continuous feeling of unsteadiness
- Blood in the stools
- Vomiting blood
- Blurry vision
- Loss or reduced hearing ability
- High fever
- Paralysis or tingling sensation in any part of the body
- Double Vision
- Altered consciousness or excessive drowsiness
If you experience any other severe uneasiness, consult the doctor instantly.
The studies show that vestibular and central nervous system, peripheral pathways and chemoreceptor trigger zone are the four critical triggers that prompt downward signals that affect motor muscles in the gastrointestinal tract and the abdominal muscles. When the abdominal muscles tighten, the gastrointestinal tract pushes the gastric content towards the mouth, causing nausea and vomiting.
The autonomic nervous system triggers excess salivation and a sensation of unsteadiness or losing balance.
Vertigo occurs when there is the sensation of movement when actually the body is still. The confusion triggers a sensory mismatch within the central nervous system, activating the automatic nervous system which in turn stimulates the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) initiating a feeling of nausea and vomiting. Check out some of the conditions or disorders where nausea and dizziness occur together.
- Vestibular problems ( BPPV, Meniere’s disease, Labyrinthitis, Vestibular neuritis)
- Central nervous system problem ( Migraine, Multiple sclerosis, Cerebellar ataxia)
- Middle ear infection or inflammation
- Anxiety
- Medicinal side-effects
- Hypotension
- Hypoglycemia
- Hyperventilation during panic attacks
- Dehydration
- Food poisoning
- Pregnancy
- Motion sickness
- Cardiovascular problems
- Kidney failure
- Internal bleeding
- Excessive narcotic or alcohol consumption
- Jaundice
- Typhoid
- Following head injury
The treatment for these symptoms (nausea and dizziness) will depend on the underlying condition. Standard medical tests for blood and urine tests, vestibular tests to ascertain inner ear disorders, MRI & CT scan, liver function tests etc. help evaluate the malady causing vomiting sensation and dizziness. Tests for vertigo like Video Nystagmography help in identifying the exact cause of some of these diseases.
Antiemetic, anti-vertigo, antihistamines, anticholinergics, dopamine and serotonin antagonists are recommended based on the medical condition inducing nausea and dizziness.
Ginger is an effective home remedy for controlling nausea. However, it should be avoided in large quantities for diabetic and hypertension patients.
No one should take the above medicines without consulting the medical practitioner and discussing your medical history., getting suitable tests done to identify the underlining cause.
Even if the symptoms are mild, it is better to consult a physician. If the symptoms get worse causing any of the following situations seek immediate medical assistance.
- Falling unconscious
- Chest pain
- Intense headache
- Irregular heartbeat
- Continuous feeling of unsteadiness
- Blood in the stools
- Vomiting blood
- Blurry vision
- Loss or reduced hearing ability
- High fever
- Paralysis or tingling sensation in any part of the body
- Double Vision
- Altered consciousness or excessive drowsiness
If you experience any other severe uneasiness, consult the doctor instantly.
NeuroEquilibrium’s Advanced Vertigo and Balance Clinics are well equipped with advanced diagnostics systems to diagnose the vestibular ailments in real-time and provide holistic treatment. Consult our vertigo experts today.
Dr. Anita Bhandari
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