What causes dizziness?
Patient: With all due respect sir/mam, I am 22 years old. I am very sad. From 8 months I am having some dizzy feeling in my head. For 2 months it was just some dizziness. Then I consulted a doctor and he gave me a neck collar. I used it for 2 weeks and found that whenever I move my neck it feels as if neck skin is stretched. And neck feels stiff. And many times when I move my neck a certain cracking sound comes. And one more thing sir. In previous 8 months l have had around 4 episodes of around 5 seconds during night where I got up from bed due to a certain sudden spinning in my head . that is very horrible experience. And I have the feeling that it may always happen again. I have to change my sides during night to averse this spinning attack. Please help me out. Doctor: Hi,Thanks for writing in.Moments of dizziness can happen due to decreased blood flow from heart to brain. When it happens, the blood flowing through the vessels from heart to brain might have a reduced flow. These are by the carotid and vertebral arteries on either sides. This is more significant when you are standing upright and doing any moderate to heavy physical activity. You might require a CT scan or MRI scan of the brain.The best way to analyze if the reduced blood flow to the brain is causing your dizziness is by doing a carotid and vertebral arteries Doppler ultrasound. It will show the flow of blood from the heart to the brain and if it is adequate.Clinical examination of inner ear and vestibular system in the ear is also required.It might help to do a Electronystagmography (ENG) or videonystagmography (VNG) done to record abnormal eye movements while the head is placed in different positions or your balance organs are stimulated with water or air. For this you might have to consult the ENT specialist.Dizziness can also occur due to stress related anxiety or overflow of emotions.