Dizziness
Dizziness can refer to a number of sensations. Feeling like the room is spinning is also called vertigo that is often paired with nausea and vomiting. Feeling unsteady or imbalanced is more mild, but the person who feels it may think they are about to fall. Lightheadedness also falls into the "dizzy" category. It is sometimes described as feeling like you are drunk.
Symptoms
Feeling lightheaded is often a symptom of a more serious condition, but symptoms of the condition itself may include disorientation, lack of coordination, a sensation of spinning or falling, lightheadedness or feeling unbalanced. You may feel like you are about to pass out, feel nausea, vomiting.
Causes
Causes of dizziness can be by a bump on the head, an infection such as the flu or ear infection, low blood pressure, jarring motions or more severe medical conditions. It can be a side effect of a medication or from using recreational drugs. It can also be caused by a change in your vision that is remedied by a visit to the eye doctor. It may also be a precursor to an ear infection, fever or may be a side effect of some allergies.
Cautions
See your doctor as soon as possible if you get dizzy without warning that is accompanied by numbness, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, blurred vision, severe headache, coordination problems, a change in your ability to speak, or if you have a ringing in your ears or deafness after being dizzy.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Ginkgo biloba – this herb increases blood flow to the brain, which counteracts the most common cause of feeling lightheaded. Follow the directions on the label for the best results.
- Ginger – this herb relieves nausea as well. Take as an herbal tea or you can suck on ginger candy to get relief.
- Black cohosh – this herb reduces blood pressure and can help with vertigo related problems. Do not take this herb if you are pregnant because it can cause contractions.
- Peppermint – this herb can be taken as an herbal tea to help you relax and feel better.
- Chamomile – another soothing tea, this remedy can help you slow down and relax.
- Marjoram – take an herbal tea made from marjoram to counteract symptoms. It is a calming, fragrant herb that should be taken once or twice per day.
- Skullcap – this herb helps control feeling dizzy while reducing anxiety. Use according to label instructions since this herb is a natural sedative.
- Celery – use celery seed to treat symptoms as it has been a standard remedy for this ailment in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years.
- Pumpkin – the seeds may also give relief for dizziness. Eat a handful when you feel lightheaded.
- Rehmannia – use this herb for vertigo. It has often been used in Chinese medicine.
- Mistletoe – this herb has been used as a tea or tincture to treat symptoms of lightheadedness in Europe for centuries. However, use this herb with caution.
- Kuzu – this herb has been used to relieve sudden onset of this problem caused by high blood pressure.
External Applications
- Ginger – this herb can also be used externally for dizziness. It will stimulate the circulation and help with nausea. The essential oil and the powdered variety of this herb are best used externally.