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| Lightheadedness | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Pre-syncope |
| Specialty | |
| Symptoms | Feeling faint; feeling as though their head is weightless; perceiving the room as spinning (vertigo) |
| Duration | Momentary, although recurring for some patients |
| Causes | Hypotension,hypoglycaemia,arrhythmia,anaemia,hypokalaemia,thrombosis,water intoxication,dehydration |
| Risk factors | Poor dietary or diabetic management, genetic predisposition to cardiac arrhythmia |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms. Some thrombotic pre-syncope may be indicated by atroponin serum level. |
| Treatment | Dependent on the cause. May include IV fluids, Ringer's Lactate, glucose replacement therapy, thrombolytics, or simply sitting down/resting. |
Lightheadedness is a common and typically unpleasant sensation ofdizziness[1] or a feeling that one mayfaint. The sensation of lightheadedness can be short-lived, prolonged, or, rarely,recurring. In addition to dizziness, the individual may feel as though their head is weightless. The individual may also feel as though the room is "spinning" or moving (vertigo). Most causes of lightheadedness are not serious and either cure themselves quickly or are easily treated.
Keeping a sense of balance requires thebrain to process a variety of information received from theeyes, thenervous system, and theinner ears. If the brain is unable to process these signals, such as when the messages are contradictory, or if thesensory systems are improperly functioning, an individual may experience lightheadedness or dizziness.
Lightheadedness is very similar topre-syncope. Pre-syncope is the immediate stage beforesyncope (fainting), particularly in cases of temporaryvisual field loss (i.e. vision getting "dark" or "closing in").[2]
Lightheadedness can be simply (and most commonly) an indication of a temporary shortage ofblood oroxygen to the brain due to a drop inblood pressure, rapiddehydration fromvomiting,diarrhea, orfever. Other causes are:altitude sickness,low blood sugar,hyperventilation,postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (increase in heart rate upon sitting up or standing),panic attacks, andanemia. It can also be a symptom of many other conditions, some of them serious, such as heart problems (including abnormalheart rhythm orheart attack), respiratory problems such aspulmonary hypertension orpulmonary embolism, and alsostroke, bleeding, andshock. If any of these serious disorders are present, the individual will usually have additional symptoms such aschest pain, a feeling of a racing heart, loss of speech or a change in vision.
Many people, especially as they age, experience lightheadedness if they arise too quickly from a lying or seated position. Lightheadedness often accompanies theflu,hypoglycaemia,common cold, orallergies.Dizziness could be provoked by the use ofantihistamine drugs, likelevocetirizine, or by some antibiotics orSSRIs.Nicotine ortobacco products can cause lightheadedness for inexperienced users.Narcotic drugs, such ascodeine, can also cause lightheadedness.
Treatment for lightheadedness depends on the cause or underlying problem. Treatment may include drinking plenty of water or other fluids (unless the lightheadedness is the result ofwater intoxication in which case drinking water is quite dangerous). If a patient is unable to keep fluids down from nausea or vomiting, they may needintravenous fluids such asRinger's lactate solution. They should try eating something sugary and lying down or sitting and reducing the elevation of the head relative to the body (for example, by positioning the head between the knees).
Other simple remedies include avoiding sudden changes in posture when sitting or lying and avoiding bright lights.
Several essentialelectrolytes are excreted when the body perspires. When people experience unusual or extreme heat for a long time, sweating excessively can cause a lack of some electrolytes, which in turn can cause lightheadedness.