Dizziness vs. Lightheadedness
Dizziness, or being dizzy, and lightheadedness may seem similar, but they’re different feelings in your body.
Dizziness often makes you feel like you’re spinning or the world around you is moving. It’s like when you turn around and stop suddenly. It can happen when your inner ear, which helps with balance, doesn’t work well. The sensation of being dizzy is more like a sensation of floating in space or the word spinning around you.
Lightheadedness, on the other hand, is when you feel like you might faint. It’s like when you haven’t eaten all day and suddenly get up. It usually occurs when insufficient blood gets to your brain, maybe due to a quick change in position or dehydration. Picture yourself feeling woozy or like you might pass out.
Dizziness can include a feeling of spinning or unsteadiness. Vertigo is a type of dizziness where you feel like you or your surroundings are spinning or moving, often due to problems in the inner ear. So, vertigo is a specific kind of dizziness.
In short, dizziness is more about feeling like you or your surroundings are moving, often linked to inner ear issues. Lightheadedness is feeling like you might faint because of a drop in blood flow to your brain. It is usually due to sudden movements or dehydration. Both can be unpleasant, but knowing the difference can help you and your doctor figure out the cause and how to make it better.
Copyright 2024 William E. Franklin, DO, MBA
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