The surroundings spun 'dizzy,' then "I'm fine again soon"... A warning sign of stroke?

Dizziness is a common symptom experienced in daily life, but it can sometimes be a warning sign of serious conditions such as stroke. Especially for elderly patients or those with chronic illnesses, sudden dizziness without any specific triggers like changes in posture should be approached with caution.

Professor of Neurology at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, who specializes in profitability, said, "Dizziness can manifest in various forms such as vertigo, which is the sensation of spinning or moving around oneself, difficulty maintaining balance, or blurred vision. Especially in the elderly, it is difficult to determine the specific disease based solely on symptoms, so it is necessary to familiarize oneself with relevant information in advance."

If elderly individuals with vascular health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia suddenly have difficulty maintaining their balance or complain of dizziness with spinning sensations, a stroke should be checked. In particular, if a stroke occurs in the cerebellar region, dizziness may be the only symptom without other signs, so attention is needed.

Professor Ikseong stated, "Severe dizziness lasting for 5 to 10 minutes and then suddenly improving is a symptom caused by a temporary disruption of blood circulation in the brain's blood vessels, which could be a warning sign of a stroke," and emphasized, "Even if symptoms improve, you must undergo a medical examination at a hospital."

One of the most common causes of dizziness is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, commonly called BPPV. It occurs with changes in posture and can be treated with canalith repositioning procedures. Orthostatic hypotension is also a major cause of dizziness, characterized by brief episodes that occur when standing up after lying down. It is especially common in elderly patients with diabetes.

If a patient taking medications related to benign prostatic hyperplasia or antihypertensive drugs experiences brief dizziness only when sitting down or standing up, orthostatic hypotension should be suspected. When visiting the hospital due to dizziness, bringing the prescription for the medications they usually take can be helpful.

Professor Ik-sung emphasized, "Careful observation of the triggers and duration of dizziness when it first occurs is essential, and if dizziness significantly impairs daily life, the exact cause must be identified." He added, "In particular, sudden dizziness in elderly patients without any specific trigger may be a sign of a stroke, so prompt action is necessary."