Before you seek emergency services for your dizziness, it’s important to understand why you’re feeling this way in the first place. While dizziness is the second most popular reason to go to the doctor, few people know why they started feeling dizzy in the first place.
Dizziness is estimated to affect 70% of the population at some point in their lives. Here are three reasons you might be feeling dizzy and whether or not you should receive urgent care because of it.
CAUSES OF DIZZINESS
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- Low blood pressure — Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, can make an individual feel dizzy and even lethargic. Some drops in low blood pressure, known as orthostatic hypotension, can also make you feel dizzy when you stand up quickly. Hypotension is usually a symptom of another condition, but it can also be a chronic problem on its own. Visit a doctor for a diagnosis or go to an urgent care nearby if you’re suffering from signs of shock.
- Benign positional vertigo — Vertigo is a medical condition that affects your sense of balance, causing spinning or swaying sensations when you tilt your head, turn over, lay down, or get up. It’s a disturbance in the fluid of the inner ear when crystals of calcium carbonate enter the canals of your ears. BPV requires a medical diagnosis and can be a lifelong issue.
- Excessive exercise — Exercise is necessary for a healthy mind and body but over-exerting yourself during a workout can cause symptoms of dizziness. Be sure to take periodic breaks and drink plenty of water during your workout. You should also avoid working out on an empty or overly full stomach.
WHEN SHOULD I VISIT AN URGENT CARE NEAR ME?
You should visit a doctor or urgent care facility if your short bout of dizziness doesn’t go away or repeats frequently. You should also go to a pedi center or emergency services if you or your child has sustained a head injury, experienced blurred vision, or loses consciousness.
Ignoring your dizziness could result in potentially life-threatening damage. Contact your local urgent care, emergency services, or primary care physician when you want to talk about your repeated bouts of dizziness.