 Feeling dizziness can be a troublesome experience especially if the cause is not known. Many people experience dizziness for a number of reasons. Also a number of specific symptoms are commonly described as dizziness. These include feeling faint, ready to pass out, room spinning and the list can go on. I plan to add onto this portion of my page since many people with FM & CFS experience dizziness. Common causes of dizziness are Neurally Mediated Hypotension (NMH), Orthostatic Hypotension (OH), inner ear infections and anxiety. Both NMH and OH causes a drop in blood pressure but under different circumstances. Click here to read more on NMH & OH. There are differences in the description of the terms to describe dizziness. Faint: feeling weak or as if ready to pass out (may or may not actually pass out) from drop in blood volume in the brain. Virtigo: sensation of room spinning from possibly disequalibrium or being off balance. Links to Sites for More Information on Causes of Dizziness The Vestibular Disorders Association Symptoms of vestibular disorders (inner ear problems) may include dizziness, imbalance, vertigo, nausea, and fuzzy vision, and may be accompanied by hearing problems. Other symptoms are often reported. Neurosciences on the Internet Dizziness and Tinnitus links. NEURO-OTOLOGY (VERTIGO, DIZZINESS AND HEARING DISORDERS) Site by B. Todd Troost, M.D. gives detailed information on Vertigo, Dizziness and Hearing Disorders. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is clinically defined as a heart rate increase of 30 bpm or more from the supine (laying down) to the standing position within ten minutes or less. Site provides a lot of information and links. Space Research Eases Dizziness on Earth New Discovery About Astronaut Affliction May Shed Light on Disorder "For those suffering from the condition without ever leaving home, researchers say the study suggests that the condition can be prevented or reversed without the use of drugs. Other studies have hinted that increasing salt and water intake, or engaging in endurance and strength training can help by increasing the heart's size and flexibility. Other possible behavioral remedies may include bouncing on your toes or crossing your legs while standing to encourage the return of blood flow to the heart." Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in adolescents with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by attenuated vagal baroreflex and potentiated sympathetic vasomotion. Abstract Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Adolescents with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Characterized by Attenuated Vagal Baroreflex and Potentiated Sympathetic Vasomotion The major findings of this study are the following: 1. Orthostatic tachycardia occurs in CFS and is qualitatively indistinguishable from orthostatic tachycardia associated with POTS. 2. Resting R-R interval and HRV are decreased in CFS and POTS compared with control group and remain decreased after HUT. 3. Resting BP is not different. LF BP spectral power and total BP variability is increased in CFS and POTS compared with control group and is further increased by HUT. 4. The vagal efferent (RR-systolic BP transfer) arm of the baroreflex response is attenuated in CFS and POTS compared with control group before and after HUT. 5. There is progressive decrease in HRV from normal healthy control group to syncope group to POTS to CFS. However, autonomic abnormalities are similar in POTS and CFS. 6. Traditional cardiac vagal (timed breathing and Valsalva) and adrenergic (Valsalva) autonomic tests are frequently unaffected in CFS and POTS, although individual abnormalities are sometimes found. Tilt-induced pseudosyncope. "Using the head-up tilt test (HUTT) we evaluated 986 consecutive patients affected by unexplained syncope. In 266 patients the test induced bradycardia and/or hypotension resulting in syncope or presyncope, thus allowing a diagnosis of neurally mediated syncope. In three other patients (0.3% of the entire population and 1% of the all positive tests) HUTT provoked loss of consciousness despite no significant change in heart rate and/or blood pressure. In all three cases unconsciousness was prolonged and no pathological finding was present except lack of response. This phenomenon has been defined as 'pseudosyncope' and related to psychiatric illness. Pseudosyncope induced by HUTT reproduced the clinical events, so the test outcome was considered a true positive response. Our experience suggests that HUTT may contribute to the recognition of psychiatric disorder in some patients affected by unexplained syncope." Home page |