[Sportschosun reporter Jang Jong-ho] Many people visit hospitals in the summer complaining of dizziness.
That is because the intense heat increases the risk of dehydration, low blood pressure, and heat-related illness, which can trigger dizziness or worsen existing symptoms. Dizziness is often dismissed as simple fatigue, but it can also be a sign of an underlying disease, so caution is needed.
Dizziness is not limited to a vague feeling of lightheadedness. It can make it difficult to keep your balance and cause unsteady walking. In severe cases, it may also come with nausea and vomiting. It is a relatively common symptom, and the number of patients seeking treatment continues to rise. According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA), 1,015,119 people received treatment for dizziness in 2023, up about 11.8% from 907,665 in 2018.
Representative conditions that can cause dizziness include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Meniere's disease, and vestibular neuritis.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo occurs when otoconia, tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear's balance organ, move out of place. It is characterized by a sudden spinning sensation when the head position changes. Meniere's disease is caused by an excessive buildup of fluid in the inner ear. Along with repeated dizziness, it can also cause hearing loss, tinnitus, reduced hearing, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. Vestibular neuritis develops when the vestibular nerve, which controls balance in the inner ear, becomes inflamed. It can cause sudden, severe dizziness that lasts from several hours to several days.
In rare cases, the cause may be a central nervous system disorder such as cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, or a brain tumor.
In particular, if severe dizziness comes on suddenly and is accompanied by weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, slurred speech, double vision, or difficulty walking, a brain disorder should be suspected.
Lee, Keon Joo, a professor in the Department of Neurology at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "These symptoms may be related to abnormalities in the brainstem or cerebellum, so prompt diagnosis and treatment are important." He added, "Cerebrovascular diseases in particular can leave permanent neurological damage if treatment is delayed, and in severe cases they can be life-threatening, so caution is essential."
Treatment for dizziness depends on the underlying cause. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is often treated with canalith repositioning maneuvers, which return the displaced crystals to their original position. For Meniere's disease, patients are advised to limit salt intake and receive medication to reduce fluid pressure in the inner ear. Vestibular neuritis is treated with medication to ease acute symptoms, along with vestibular rehabilitation exercises to help restore balance function. If the cause is a neurological disorder such as cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage, emergency treatment may be required. Therefore, when dizziness recurs or is accompanied by neurological symptoms, the first priority is to make an accurate diagnosis of the underlying disease.
Because dizziness has many possible causes, it is difficult to suggest a single preventive method. However, dizziness caused by dehydration or orthostatic hypotension can often be prevented by drinking enough water and avoiding sudden changes in posture. In summer especially, sweating increases and the body can become dehydrated more easily, making it important to prevent fluid loss.
Professor Lee, Keon Joo advised, "Moving slowly rather than standing up abruptly can help reduce orthostatic dizziness." He added, "If symptoms keep recurring or persist even after you have rehydrated and rested, do not dismiss them as simple fatigue or a temporary drop in condition. Visit a medical institution and find the exact cause."
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
