Dr Punam ‘don’t ignore’ 1 common health symptom that ‘feels horrible’
Morning Live’s Dr. Punam Krishan said people should not delay getting their dizziness checked, especially if it is not a one-off. Dizziness is a symptom that a BBC health expert says can “feel terrible”.
It comes in a variety of forms, from feeling faint or dizzy to feeling like the room itself is spinning around you. Understanding the type of dizziness people are experiencing can really narrow down what the problem is.
Dr Punamn said it became more common to experience dizziness as we got older, but that “doesn’t mean we should ignore the condition”. The GP said: “If it’s persistent, comes back and affects your quality of life, it’s important to get it checked.”
He claims that “language matters” as dizziness tends to be broken down into different emotions rather than treated as an umbrella term. Being able to pinpoint exactly what type of dizzy feeling you’re experiencing before a doctor’s appointment can help you eliminate problems and focus on the issue at hand.
What might different feelings of dizziness mean?
Dr Punam told Morning Live viewers that certain types of dizziness can be red flags for conditions and doctors being specific can really help make a correct diagnosis.
- Feeling dizzy (like fainting): It could be dehydration, heat exhaustion, low blood pressure, or low blood sugar.
- Feeling of imbalance (as if the room was spinning): It evokes dizziness.
Sometimes there is no obvious reason. The NHS claims people may experience dizziness due to sudden drops in blood pressure, inner ear problems or a side effect of any new medication.
Dizziness may also be linked to another illness, such as an ear infection or migraine. Conditions such as stress, anxiety, low blood sugar, and iron deficiency anemia can also trigger these feelings, but they tend to disappear once treated.
Dr Punam also said that people approaching perimenopause may also experience dizziness due to hormonal changes. Consult your own doctor, who can fully evaluate your symptoms for specific advice.
How to deal feeling dizziness without a doctor:
according to NHS websiteThe feeling of dizziness “usually goes away on its own” if:
- Lie down until the dizziness subsides, then stand up slowly
- Move slowly and carefully
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
- Avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs
The health service adds that people should avoid doing things that could be dangerous, such as driving while dizzy, climbing stairs or operating heavy machinery. If dizziness persists or reoccurs, see a GP.
