Tony Kadysewski's List: Dizziness

• As a disorder, dizziness is classified into three categories—vertigo, syncope,  and nonsyncope nonvertigo. Each category has a characteristic set of symptoms,  all related to the sense of balance.
• syncope is defined by a brief loss of consciousness (fainting) or by dimmed vision and feeling  uncoordinated, confused, and lightheaded.
• Vertigo is the feeling that either the individual or the surroundings are spinning. This sensation is like being on a spinning amusement park ride.
• Individuals with nonsyncope nonvertigo dizziness feel as though they cannot keep their balance. This feeling may become worse with movement.
• Certain medical conditions can cause dizziness, because they affect the systems  that maintain balance. For example, the inner ear is very sensitive to changes  in blood flow. Because medical conditions such as high blood pressure or low  blood sugar can affect blood flow, these conditions are frequently accompanied  by dizziness. Circulation disorders are the most common causes of dizziness.  Other causes are head injury, ear infection, allergies, and nervous system disorders.
• Dizziness often disappears without treatment or with treatment of the underlying  problem, but it can be long term or chronic.

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• The symptoms of syncope include dimmed vision, loss of coordination, confusion,  lightheadedness, and sweating. These symptoms can lead to a brief loss of  consciousness or fainting. They are related to a reduced flow of blood to the  brain;
• they often occur when a person is standing up and can be relieved by sitting or  lying down.
• Syncope is associated with low blood pressure, heart problems, and disorders in  the autonomic nervous system, the system of involuntary functions such as  breathing. Syncope may also arise from emotional distress, pain, and other reactions to outside  stressors.

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• Presyncope is lightheadedness, muscular weakness and feeling faint as opposed to a syncope, which is actually fainting.