Dizziness and Nausea

Dizziness and nausea are common indicators of various illnesses and medical conditions. Dizziness is a feeling of unsteadiness, feeling faint and lightheaded, while nausea is characterized by a strong urge to vomit. Dizziness can also be the result of persistent nausea and excessive vomiting that causes weakening and dehydration. While they are not very serious problems, it should be considered serious and treated if it is persistent or a symptom of a serious disorder. Ignoring these symptoms for long can lead to other health hazards and problems. The other symptoms occurring along with these two symptoms should also be considered for an accurate diagnosis of the condition.

Causes

Morning Sickness/Pregnancy
Most women experience dizziness and nausea during pregnancy, especially during the first few months of pregnancy. This condition is known as morning sickness and is considered to be absolutely normal. It may be accompanied by vomiting, backaches and headaches. It does not require any treatment until it is persistent and continues even during the later stages of pregnancy.

Vertigo
Vertigo is a medical condition characterized by false sensations of the area around the victim spinning and swirling which causes disorientation and inability to move. It usually occurs when the person is trying to get up from a lying position. This condition can cause the person to feel nauseated and vomit at times due to the utter discomfort that the person goes through. Vertigo also has other symptoms like migraine headaches and neck pain.

Depression and Anxiety
Depression causes emotional disturbance that can lead to physical hazards like feeling dizzy and nauseated. Some anxiety disorders like phobias and hyperventilation may lead to the person feeling dizzy and nauseated as a result. Emotional trauma can also lead to considerable, sudden weight loss due to nausea and vomiting.

Medication
Consumption of certain types of medication can have side effects in the form of dizziness and vomiting. Birth control pills, antibiotics and certain other types of medicines, if taken continuously can cause these symptoms. It could also be an indication of an allergy to the medication being consumed.

Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation can cause a considerable amount of dizziness, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps in some women. This can be treated with the help of pain killers taken after a meal as soon as the pain is experienced. It is usually experienced on the first till the third day of the period.

Ovulation
The hormonal and bodily changes that take place during ovulation can cause sudden dizziness accompanied with nausea. This often experienced by many women, is absolutely normal and requires no specific treatment.

Diarrhea/Gastroenteritis
Dizziness and nausea symptoms are one of the most important symptoms of diarrhea and gastroenteritis. This can be accompanied by vomiting as well which can lead to dehydration.

Hypertension
Most people suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure problems experience headaches, dizziness, nausea and excessive sweating. This is due to the sudden rise in their blood pressure levels and this can be cured by calming down and relaxing for a while.

Smoking
Smoking, especially women smoking cigarettes are known to experience sudden bouts of dizziness. This can be considered as one of the many side effects of smoking, especially for those who have just taken to smoking.

Other causes include irritable bowel syndrome, food poisoning and food allergies, strong foul odors, smell of blood, diabetes and vestibular problems.

Now that you know the causes, you can treat these symptoms after diagnosing the appropriate cause. There are a number of treatment options available, so choose one that suits the cause best.