Health

Causes of Dizziness and Treatment Options

Published

3 years ago

November 13, 2021

Dizziness is a sensation of lightheadedness, faintness, or vertigo. The word dizziness can mean either “the feeling that you are about to faint” (orthostatic dizziness) or the room seems to be spinning around (vertigo). Dizziness can also cause feelings of weakness, fatigue, and decreased concentration, or even cause a loss of consciousness.

According to Alexandria dizziness specialists, it is the third most common symptom for seeking medical help. Dizziness is sometimes due to medication reactions, low blood pressure, neurological problems such as migraine headaches, brain tumors, pulsating arteries in the ear (pulsatile tinnitus), or cervical or thoracic spine problems. Dizziness is also associated with anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.

Dizziness can be associated with mental retardation or autism in children. Some young sufferers of dizziness may have developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia).

Causes of Dizziness

The leading cause of chronic dizziness is benign positional vertigo (BPV).

Dizziness can be due to an ear infection, Ménière’s disease, or dental problems. Acoustic neuroma is another possible cause of chronic dizziness. Dizziness may also be due to stroke, transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke), multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, medication side -effects, low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), and aging. It can also be a manifestation of anxiety disorders such as panic attacks or social phobia. Chronic dizziness is frequently associated with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Dizziness may occur when too much flow through the veins that drain blood from the brain, either when standing (orthostatic) or lying down. This type of dizziness can result from dehydration, low blood pressure, heart failure, hyperventilation, glaucoma, medication side effects, dietary supplements, and drugs. Cerebral hypoxia may also be a cause of chronic dizziness.

How is Dizziness Treated?

You may treat dizziness with counseling, physical therapy, or medications. When dizziness is associated with anxiety or panic disorder, counseling and medication are typically the most effective treatments.

Counseling can help if you have anxiety-related chronic dizziness to understand how to manage your fears of feeling dizzy. For example, you may benefit from therapy to show how you can keep your balance without clutching onto furniture.

Physical therapy may help you learn exercises to improve balance and coordination. Sometimes vestibular rehabilitation is helpful, which uses special exercises for dizziness caused by an inner ear disorder called BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo).

Medications may help treat the cause of dizziness, along with anxiety and other symptoms.

Antidepressants can be helpful if you suffer from chronic dizziness caused by depression or anxiety. Anticonvulsants are sometimes used to treat chronic dizziness due to seizures, migraines, or multiple sclerosis.

Other medications are also available to treat chronic dizziness. Suppose the cause of your vertigo is not known. In that case, common remedies for this disorder include meclizine or diazepam (Valium), anti-nausea medications, and scopolamine patches placed behind the ears.

Chronic dizziness is often treated with medication, counseling, or by identifying the cause of the dizziness (and treating it).

To summarize, dizziness is a sensation of lightheadedness, faintness, or vertigo. It is one of the most common symptoms that prompt people to seek help. Common causes of dizziness include positional vertigo, ear infection, and depression. Depending on the grounds of your dizziness, you may be treated through counseling, physical therapy, or medications.

Health

How Telehealth Works for Addicts in Recovery

Published

21 hours ago

March 6, 2025

Michelle Langton

Technology has been shaping healthcare for decades, and these days, tech advancements for the health sector are happening faster than ever before. Telehealth has emerged as one advancement that has touched every healthcare discipline, from cancer care to pediatrics. The innovative approach of telehealth is breaking down barriers to care and even reaching those who are struggling with substance abuse.

By leveraging digital platforms, recovery specialists can offer better access to therapy sessions, support groups, and medical consultations. These breakthroughs in accessibility are significant for people in healthcare deserts who are languishing under increased addiction rates and a lack of reliable treatment options.

Nick Padlo, founder and CEO of Sophros Recovery in Florida, has seen the benefit of telehealth for recovering addicts firsthand. “Individuals struggling with addiction can now find support and guidance if they do not have access to a treatment center near their home,” he explains. “These virtual programs are designed to provide comprehensive care, similar to traditional in-person treatment, but with the added convenience of digital accessibility.”

Here, we explore the benefits of telehealth for recovery and how clinicians and other professionals in the field can best utilize it for better outcomes.

An increased need for comprehensive recovery

The United States saw over 107,000 overdose deaths in 2023. This was a notable increase from previous numbers. The emergence of fentanyl as the drug of choice for many and the perpetuation of alcohol and other drug abuses have made access to comprehensive recovery even more important than ever.

“Understanding the options available can be the first step to recovery,” says Padlo. When people have easier access to help, they may be more apt to seek sobriety.

The pandemic saw a marked increase in substance abuse, laying bare the need for digital access to recovery resources. During the COVID shutdown, the crucial need for an alternative to in-person treatment was evident, and the benefits of such treatment options allowed clinicians and other professionals to carry this digital access to recovery care through the pandemic and into the post-COVID world.

In addition, those living in rural areas or areas with a lack of access to comprehensive recovery care often have needs on par with those in larger urban areas. Telehealth allows people to access the same professionals that those in big cities rely upon.

Studies have shown that continuity of care is critical to the success of addiction recovery. Telehealth can facilitate ongoing engagement with those in recovery, securing continuity of care and leading to better recovery outcomes.

A modern approach

“Online addiction recovery typically involves a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, educational sessions, and support groups, all conducted via video conferencing or other online tools,” explains Padlo. The flexibility of these programs allows participants to schedule them around their availability and considering their other commitments.

“We aim to mirror the effectiveness of traditional methods,” says Padlo. “We are providing the same level of care and support through a virtual format.”

Padlo stresses that online recovery can also reduce stigmas that are associated with seeking help for one’s addictions. When those in recovery can participate from the comfort of their own home, they may be more apt to commit to the recovery process.

People will need to consider their personal circumstances when determining if telehealth for addiction recovery is right for them. They may want to evaluate how comfortable they are with technology and whether they have a stable internet connection. Also, it helps to have a strong support system to keep one accountable since it can sometimes be easier to ignore digital meeting commitments.

However, Padlo cautions that those with severe addiction issues or co-occurring addictions may fare better with in-person detox and recovery.

Telehealth can be a powerful tool in the fight against addiction. The option offers a range of benefits, including easier access, privacy, and even savings for some. According to a recent study by the Oregon Health and Science University, telehealth may be just the solution to overcoming the stigma of rehab and recovery and radically reducing barriers for people who need it the most.

While telehealth for addiction recovery may not be a one-size-fits-all solution, and some people may require more intensive care and medical intervention, it has broken barriers for those in areas of limited access to recovery or seeking an option that offers more privacy.

As the field of virtual health delivery continues to evolve, the benefits of telehealth for addiction recovery will become clear. Telehealth provides comprehensive, discrete, and effective care for those starting or continuing their recovery journey.