Many people think that dizziness and vertigo are the same thing, however, these two words are not synonymous and therefore should be used on different occasions. Below we will differentiate these two important symptoms related to the balance of our body.
→ Dizziness
Dizziness can be defined as a change in body balance, that is, a problem that causes instability and the feeling that a fall can occur at any time. It can be classified as rotational (in this case it can also be called vertigo) or non-rotational.
Dizziness is usually related to hypotension (blood pressure below normal) and with hypoglycemia, triggered by long periods of fasting. Furthermore, it may also be related to problems in the vestibular system, a set of organs located in the inner ear that is responsible for balance.
→ Vertigo
Vertigo is a type of dizziness that is characterized by the illusion that the environment is moving around you. This type of imbalance is more intense than simple dizziness and may be accompanied by cold sweating, nausea and vomiting. It is estimated that about 5% to 10% of the world population has this problem, which is more frequent in people over 75 years of age.
Vertigo can be central, when the lesion is in the vestibular nucleus or in other projections superior, or peripheral, when it occurs as a result of problems in the labyrinth structures and in the nerve entrance exam. Peripheral vertigo is the most common, and central vertigo is usually more severe.
Among the peripheral causes of vertigo, we can mention problems such as: paroxysmal positional vertigo benign, vertigo from head trauma, Ménière's disease, drug vertigo, bacterial labyrinthitis and tumors. Among the central causes, one can mention basilar migraine, tumors, vertebrobasilar ischemia, multiple sclerosis, stroke of the cerebellum or trunk and vestibular epileptic seizures.
→ Difference between dizziness and vertigo
We can then differentiate dizziness from vertigo as follows:
Dizziness: It's a feeling of bodily imbalance;
Vertigo: A type of dizziness characterized by the illusion of movement, usually rotation.
ATTENTION:If you experience dizziness or dizziness, seek medical attention. The causes of this symptom, in most cases, are simple; however, there are serious health problems related to it, such as vascular disorders. Therefore, it is important to check the causes that are triggering the imbalance.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/saude-na-escola/tontura-ou-vertigem.htm