Attack of faintness. Sudden attacks of nausea. Causes of dizziness, weakness and nausea caused by diseases of the body

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Malfunctions in the functioning of human vital systems do not always manifest themselves in the form of pain and other striking symptoms. Sometimes they take the form of uncomfortable sensations. Brain fog is one of the common warning signs that many people simply ignore. Its one-time appearance against the background of intense physical or mental stress should not be a cause for alarm. If a person does not have clarity of thought and there is a decrease in the quality of vision for no apparent reason and on a regular basis, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor for advice.

Symptoms of a fuzzy head

Depending on the cause, the pathological manifestation may occur once a week or less, or become a constant companion.

Clouding of consciousness can be mild and annoying, but sometimes its severity prevents you from doing your usual activities. An attack can last from 2-3 minutes to several hours.

The condition when the head is in a fog is often accompanied by the following symptoms:

• dizziness and a feeling of lethargy, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the head;
• fatigue and weakness that are not associated with any type of activity or rest;
• feeling of futility and dullness of consciousness - as if there is a vacuum in the head after drinking alcohol or narcotic substances;
• may be present headache, increased heart rate, changes in blood pressure. Often a person does not think well and cannot even move due to the fact that the muscles “do not work.”

You will learn about the effect of high blood pressure on the occurrence of cephalgia

This vague state usually develops in response to external factors. This could be a change in weather, increased mental activity, or unusual physical activity. In complex cases, the clinical picture appears on its own, without any provoking factors.

Causes of a heavy head

Under certain conditions, fuzzy head syndrome can also develop in healthy person. During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in a woman’s body, which can cause fogginess of consciousness, forgetfulness, weakness and capricious mood. The same picture is sometimes observed during menopause, but it is not as pronounced. Lack of sleep, disruption of work and rest patterns, and drug abuse are also common reasons unpleasant condition.

Astheno-neurotic syndrome

Doctors, teachers, scientists and other representatives of “intellectual” professions are most often faced with the problem. Features of activity and working conditions constantly test their strength nervous system, provoke excessive psycho-emotional stress. This condition modern doctors They even equate it with mental disorders, insisting on the immediate start of specialized treatment. Fortunately, it responds well to treatment and prevention.

Neurasthenia usually develops gradually. It begins with unusual morning weakness and irritability even for minor reasons. Then constant pressing headaches arise, which become the cause of aggression towards others. The patient begins to feel heaviness in the skull, his head becomes “woolly.” If no action is taken at this stage, rapid heartbeat, decreased muscle strength, and chest pain may occur.

Vegetovascular dystonia

The development of VSD is characterized by the appearance in the patient of a whole complex of symptoms against the background of disruption of the autonomic nervous system. A person experiences a headache that manifests itself in the form of attacks and is poorly relieved medicines. A person becomes tired and irritable, everything swims before his eyes. However, modern examination methods do not reveal any organic or physiological disorders.

The diagnosis is made based on the patient's complaints. Clinical picture develops gradually, but if left untreated, symptoms reach their peak quite quickly.

The headache appears immediately after waking up and gets worse when bending over. During physical activity, a person experiences fog in front of their eyes. The severity of the symptoms increases throughout the day, even while taking analgesics and antispasmodics. The patient's gait becomes unsteady due to dizziness, ringing in the ears and nausea appear.

Gluten containing products

Brain fog may be a sign of a common food allergy. Modern More and more people are becoming intolerant to gluten, a special protein found in cereals. The entry of a substance into the body leads to the launch of protective chemical reactions. The substances released as a result provoke hormonal imbalances and have a negative effect on the brain.

The condition is characterized by the following symptoms:

• brain fog and blurred vision;
• psychological disorders in the form of anxiety and anxiety;
• lethargy, apathy and weakness up to depression;
• disruptions in the functioning of the digestive system - abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating;
• Sometimes there are signs of a complete loss of clarity of thought.

To confirm or refute the diagnosis, it is enough to visit an allergist and undergo a special test. Treatment of the disease in this case involves following a diet. Products with gluten are excluded from the patient’s diet, i.e. all products that contain wheat flour.

Oxygen starvation

Compression or blockage of the channels through which oxygen enters the brain leads to a deficiency of the substance in the tissues. This causes a decrease in the functionality of the organ and a deterioration in the person’s well-being. The patient experiences confusion, fog in the eyes, severe weakness. The head feels very heavy, and cephalalgia may develop. In advanced cases, loss of consciousness is possible. In the supine position the condition improves slightly.

Oxygen deficiency in the brain is caused by the following factors:

• consumption of alcohol and drugs;
• smoking tobacco and various mixtures;
• pathologically high or low blood pressure;
• diseases of the spine, due to which the blood supply to the brain is disrupted;
• past traumatic brain injuries;
• refusal to walk in the fresh air, physical activity, ventilation of premises;
• swelling of the nasal passages due to a cold or allergic rhinitis.

Refusal to treat oxygen starvation can lead to the development of ischemia. Brain tissues that are deficient chemical compound, gradually lose their functionality.

At first, the structures surrounding the affected area take over its responsibilities, but gradually a stage of decompensation develops. Entire areas of the brain cease to fulfill their purpose, which negatively affects the entire body.

Changes in the structure of the cartilage tissue of the vertebrae lead to compression of blood vessels and nerves in certain areas of the spine. When the arteries are damaged, the brain stops receiving nutrients and oxygen in sufficient volume. If the veins suffer, the outflow of blood is disrupted, causing the organ to be poisoned by its own toxins. All this leads to a deterioration in a person’s well-being and the appearance of a characteristic clinical picture.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis cervical spine spinal column:

• crunching and pain in the neck, which intensifies when tilting or turning the head;
• tension and stiffness in the shoulder girdle;
• feeling of heaviness in the head;
• lack of a sense of clarity, foggy thoughts, difficulty perceiving information and remembering things;
• cephalalgia - dull, increasing sensations, localized in the occipital region and moving to the crown or temples;
• general weakness and dizziness;
• slight nausea.

Also, against the background of osteochondrosis, ringing in the ears may occur, you will learn more about this

The development of osteochondrosis is promoted by poor nutrition, refusal physical exercise, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable forced position. The disease can be triggered by sleeping on an incorrectly selected pillow or too soft mattress.

On initial stages Symptoms of the disease appear in the afternoon. In advanced cases, manifestations of the disease can be a constant concern.

Diagnostics

If you experience a feeling of foggy thoughts, you should contact your local therapist. If possible, you should prepare a short diary for the visit indicating the time and frequency of the symptom, its duration, and the presence of additional alarming signs. Pathologies that cause brain fog can be treated by a therapist, ENT specialist, neurologist, psychotherapist and other specialized specialists.

To find out the cause of heaviness in the head, the following diagnostic methods are used:

• general blood and urine tests - help to exclude the presence of infections, inflammations and establish the causes of atherosclerosis;
• Ultrasound of the brain, neck vessels;
• CT and MRI of the cervical spine and head;
• angiography of cerebral vessels.

Even in cases where the causes of the symptom are clearly due to a violation of the sleep schedule or overwork, it is better to undergo an examination under the supervision of a neurologist. This will eliminate organic lesions brain and accompanying pathologies, will help you choose the optimal treatment option for the condition.

Treatment for fuzzy head

The principles of therapy depend on the cause that provokes the condition. Eliminating the underlying disease will relieve the unpleasant symptom. In this case, medications are taken only with the permission of the doctor after the diagnosis has been established. During treatment, the patient's physical activity should be limited and rest should be ensured.

A decoction of lemon balm, chamomile and mint will help relieve stress

To quickly and independently get rid of brain fog, you can try the following approaches:

• try to sleep in a dark, ventilated and quiet room;
• perform a light massage of the collar area to restore blood circulation and breathe fresh air;
• if you have high blood pressure, take antihypertensive or drink diuretic tea (bearberry, lingonberry leaves);
• if you have low blood pressure, drink coffee or strong black tea;
• if fog in the head is combined with cephalgia, you can take a one-time drug from the NSAID group - Ibuprofen or Citramon.

ABOUT possible methods You will learn how to treat headaches without medications from

In cases where the appearance of fog in the head is associated with the peculiarities of the regime or work, it is worth thinking about changing the type of activity or adjusting the schedule. People in responsible positions are helped by relaxation techniques and hobbies. Systematic use of the products gives good results traditional medicine. Ginseng and Eleutherococcus will have a general strengthening effect on the body. Melissa, chamomile and mint will help relieve tension.

A cloudy head indicates disruptions in the course of biochemical reactions in the brain. Such a sign cannot be ignored if it appears systematically. Timely diagnosis will help identify the problem early stage development and eliminate it without harm to the body.

The feeling of some lightheadedness that occurs when the vestibular apparatus malfunctions is one of the most common complaints among people. of different ages. The sensation is accompanied by general weakness of the body, lethargy, some intoxication and dope in the head. In this case, the patient may sway violently, and disturbances in general coordination of movements are accompanied by a state close to fainting. In uncertain cases, the patient is asked to breathe deeply, and at the same time the feeling of lightheadedness, which is characteristic feature the onset of dizziness.

Similar sensations can occur in numerous disease states, such as severe anemia, complex lung diseases, and orthostatic hypotension. Such symptoms are typical for patients who have recently completed a course of taking antihypertensive drugs, who have recently been on bed rest, as well as in older people, even if they have no other complaints. When you rise sharply from a sitting position, a stupefying feeling may occur, which completely disappears after a few seconds. In this case, the patient has difficulty maintaining his balance.

Attacks of lightheadedness

Attacks of lightheadedness can occur suddenly and for no apparent reason. The main reason lies in the fact that in stressful situations, hormones are released into the human blood and active substances, helping to remove a person from an equilibrium state. At the same time, the eyes may darken, a ringing may appear in the ears, and a general feeling of weakness may arise. These are the most common symptoms of lightheadedness that occur in apparently healthy people.

Causes of lightheadedness

In the majority of all cases, the occurrence of lightheadedness is not considered a big problem. The main reason for its occurrence is an immediate decrease in blood pressure, as well as blood circulation in the head area. The reason for this condition may be hidden in a sharp change in the body position of the sick person, in particular this applies to those cases when you need to suddenly stand up or change a stable body position.

The causes of attacks of lightheadedness may be as follows:

• various allergic reactions body;
• infectious diseases, flu or hypothermia. The reduction of the general stupefying state is facilitated by home treatment flu and colds;
• diseases associated with dehydration processes, such as diarrhea, fever, vomiting;
• breathing too quickly or too often;
• past stress or anxiety;
• use of drugs or alcohol.

Lightheadedness with VSD

Dystonia of the vegetative-vascular type is one of the main problems today modern medicine. Representatives of various medical specialties regularly communicate with patients who complain to them of ringing in the ears, general weakness and a feeling of lightheadedness. All these symptoms, like many others similar to them, are manifestations of VSD. According to medical statistics, such dystonia is diagnosed in approximately half of all patients who seek help from a doctor.

Lightheadedness during pregnancy

Lightheadedness during pregnancy, which is often accompanied by fainting, is extremely common. During pregnancy, the onset of lightheadedness most often occurs due to sharp decline blood pressure indicator due to severe shock associated with emotional swings or a decrease in the concentration of sugar in a person’s blood. Rare fainting in the vast majority of cases will not be a cause of anxiety arising from this, while in the case of their frequent repetition, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Lightheadedness with cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is quite often the cause of dizziness and fainting. In order to understand the causes of this phenomenon, you must first understand what osteochondrosis is and how its manifestations can cause a feeling of lightheadedness in the head.

Such conditions often accompany people aged 25 to 55 years. Very often the reason may be due to the following factors:

• malfunctions of the vestibular apparatus;
• all kinds of traumatic head injuries;
• failures of the full functioning of the heart and adjacent vessels;
• problems and disorders of a neurological nature.

Symptoms

Lightheadedness is accompanied by different symptoms, depending on the disease in which it is observed. It can be combined with different conditions:

Lightheadedness and nausea

Lightheadedness combined with nausea can be characteristic of many painful conditions. The following can be distinguished:

• inflammatory processes in the stomach;
• processes of inflammation of the intestinal cavity;
• poisoning food products, as well as low-quality alcohol;
• peptic ulcers of the stomach and intestinal cavity;
• inflammatory liver diseases;
• intestinal obstruction;
• oncological formations in the intestines and stomach.

When describing dizziness, it is important to be clear about what exactly is meant. Most often, this refers to the impression of movement around a person, which occurs in the absence of actual movement. It seems to a person that he can move, rotate, move around, while in fact he does not budge. At severe forms Dizziness may cause serious problems with coordination of movements and the vestibular system.

Lightheadedness is a feeling of imminent fainting that makes it difficult to stand. In this case, there may be a feeling as if one is starting to feel dizzy, at a time when there is no actual movement around the person. Increasing lightheadedness can lead to fainting and loss of consciousness. In this case, there is a general feeling of weakness, and vomiting may be noted.

Lightheadedness and weakness

Weakness combined with lightheadedness are characteristic of fainting, when muscle tone decreases and it becomes difficult for a person to stand on his feet. When a fainting state occurs, the patient is still in an upright position, but as this condition develops, he becomes dizzy and subsequently loses coordination. It seems to him that the floor and ceiling begin to sway, a feeling of yawning appears, tinnitus begins, the patient may begin to vomit, or at least experience severe nausea. His face turns pale, cold sweat begins to appear on his body. If fainting develops slowly, the patient still has the opportunity to prevent a sudden fall; if he quickly straightens up, the fainting may subside.

For some people, heaviness in the head is a frequent and even habitual phenomenon. However, attribute it to physiological norm it is forbidden. It’s good if the ailment is temporary (you can overcome it on your own, even at home), but there is always a possibility that it was caused by a disease that only a specialist can cure.

The following factors can lead to a feeling of heaviness, weakness and lethargy:

• staying in a constant position for a long time(during sleep or at work);
• long and strenuous activities(mental or physical);
• hypothermia;
• use of anesthesia(for example, during an operation);
• poisoning.

A person’s condition will quickly return to normal if the negative impact is eliminated.

It happens that the head becomes heavy for no reason. Fog appears in the eyes, confusion appears in consciousness, because of this it is impossible to do anything.

Such conditions are often accompanied by:

• feeling tired;
• loss of strength (noticeable drop in temperature);
• headaches;
• surges in blood pressure;
• attacks of dizziness;
• increased heart rate;
• lethargy and weakness.

The disappearance of all symptoms can occur either after a couple of minutes or after a few hours.

Causes

The pressing sensation in the head area does not always go away quickly. In such cases, one can judge whether a person has serious illnesses or malfunctions of the body.

Circulatory disorders

In the vast majority of cases, discomfort is associated with a failure of cerebral circulation and is accompanied by:

• infectious pathology affecting brain tissue;
• temperature rise(during inflammatory processes);
• feeling of nausea and bouts of vomiting s (for poisoning);
• severe allergies;
• chronic runny nose and bronchial asthma (it becomes difficult for a person to breathe, oxygen supply to the brain is disrupted);
• Meniere's disease, vestibular neuronitis and other ear lesions.

The variety of associated factors and symptoms makes it possible to determine the patient’s condition quite accurately. However, to do this, you should tell your doctor about them in as much detail as possible.

Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a pathology of the spine in which the structure of the intervertebral cartilaginous discs is subjected to dystrophic changes. For this reason, compression occurs on the roots of the spinal nerves and the vertebral artery. Due to the lack of necessary nutrition, a person begins to feel like he has a cotton head.

The circulatory disorder that occurs with osteochondrosis leads to hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the brain, which causes a feeling of heaviness in the head. In addition, the patient has:

• ringing or noise in the ears;
• the appearance of auditory hallucinations;
• drowsiness;
• cloudy look;
• dizziness;
• severe muscle tension in the shoulder girdle;
• pain syndrome covering the temporal region and the back of the head;
• memory problems;
• fainting.

Due to the fact that damaged vertebrae are compressed nerve endings, it is difficult for a person to tilt or turn his head (any movement is accompanied by pain).

Sinusitis, mastoiditis, frontal sinusitis

All of these diseases are associated with inflammation of the sinuses of various locations:

• sinusitis - nasal;
• mastoiditis - behind the ears;
• frontal sinusitis - frontal;
• sinusitis – maxillary adnexa (maxillary).

In each case during inflammatory process the voids of the sinuses are filled with pus (remnants of dead leukocytes), which presses on the walls of the cavities and creates unpleasant feeling distension (with frontal sinusitis or sinusitis, it occurs when a person bends down).

Based on a similar symptom, this group can include meningitis (which affects the meninges), as well as inflammation of the tonsils or ears. A feeling of heat may be present.

Tensor headaches

With such a diagnosis, a person begins to have a headache due to the fact that he actively uses the facial muscles, as a result of which they freeze from overexertion. In this case, the feeling of heaviness, like a headache, spreads mainly to the forehead.

Alcohol intoxication

Alcohol poisoning and hangover cause cerebrovascular accidents as a result of dehydration associated with drinking ethyl alcohol or acetaldehyde. If the content of these substances in the blood is excessively high, it can lead to severe swelling of the brain, clouding of consciousness and other unpleasant consequences.

Blood pressure problems

The head may be heavy due to high blood pressure or intracranial pressure. On the contrary, a feeling of “cottoniness” occurs with a significant decrease in blood pressure (often observed during menstruation).

Separately, a hypertensive crisis (an unpredictable and sharp increase in blood pressure levels to critical values) should be considered. This condition can lead to dysfunction of the central nervous system (severe pain in the occipital and parietal region, visual impairment, etc.) and of cardio-vascular system. Most likely to occur hypertensive crisis in women during menopause.

The causes of migraine often remain unknown, but during each attack there is a pathological dilation of cerebral vessels. Due to the pressure that arises, it feels as if the head is filled with lead.

Violation of venous outflow

Since the veins are not equipped with any valves, the movement of blood through them occurs due to gravity. In people suffering from connective tissue dysplasia, this system does not work well, so every morning they feel heaviness inside the head.

Vegetovascular dystonia

Vegetative-vascular dystonia is a disease associated with the body’s loss of the ability to regulate the process of dilation and constriction of blood vessels. This may be associated with pathologies internal organs or psychological disorders.

With VSD, panic attacks are often observed, depressive states and a bursting headache.

Injuries

Any injury to the skull or spine can cause serious impairment general well-being. It is possible that for a long time the presence of damage will be indicated only by a daily heavy head, blurred vision and some other constant symptoms.

Neurasthenia (astheno-neurotic syndrome)

Sleep problems and poor appetite are especially typical for people who, under the influence of strong and constant stress, developed neurasthenia (asthenic neurosis).

It is almost impossible to detect it immediately, since it gradually reduces a person’s mental and physical activity. As a result, difficulties arise in performing the simplest everyday tasks, and it is difficult to concentrate even for a short time.

In addition, the following symptoms are noted:

• sleep disorders(insomnia, hypersomnia, lack of sleep);
• problems in emotional sphere (hot temper, suspiciousness, irritability, sometimes complete indifference);
• persistent anxiety;
• causeless fear and the expectation of failure;
• apathy and fatigue;
• disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract(diarrhea, and then constipation);
• decreased libido.

Also, the patient constantly feels dizzy, has a feeling of “wooliness”, a veil appears in the eyes, and it becomes difficult to think. The condition is aggravated by colds, vitamin deficiencies and the presence of bad habits.

Diagnostics

The only way to get rid of brain fog is to find out exactly what is causing it and begin treatment. Typically this requires:

• undergo a series of tests;
• undergo tomography and x-rays;
• consult with relevant specialists.

The need for additional research will depend on the severity and frequency of symptoms. Typically, diagnostic results indicate that the source of the problem is damage to the vertebrae in the neck.

Treatment

Treatment of heaviness in the head is only possible if it is known what caused it.

In the case of physical diseases, therapy is always aimed at restoring normal cerebral circulation. For this purpose, special medications (including vitamins) are used. manual therapy and osteopathy.

During the period of treatment, physical activity should be limited. The patient is also strongly discouraged from smoking and drinking alcohol.

If initially the problem lay in mental ill-being, then a psychotherapist is involved in the treatment. The specialist works with the patient’s emotions, prescribes pills that can smooth out the consequences long-term lack of sleep and restore appetite.

Prevention

To ensure the prevention of heaviness in the head, you must:

• stick to healthy image life and nutrition;
• don't forget about breaks during the working day;
• massage regularly(especially in the cervical spine area);
• use orthopedic mattresses and pillows for sleeping;
• stop taking Dysport injections(a substance that smooths out wrinkles on the face), smoking and drinking alcohol;
• exercise regularly, which will reduce the load on the spine.

For general strengthening of the body, you can use folk remedies, but only in consultation with a specialist.

Bottom line

A feeling of heaviness in the head, lethargy and other unpleasant symptoms in an indirect form can go unnoticed for a long time, but be signs of a serious problem. If the malaise does not disappear over a long period of time, then contacting a specialist for examination and treatment is mandatory.

If “fuzzy head”, “cloudy head” is the feeling with which you get up and lie down, and if increased irritability, fatigue and poor sleep are added to this, most likely we are talking about astheno-neurotic syndrome.

Main symptoms: Many people complain of “fog in the head”, “head like cotton wool”, “fuzzy head” and similar symptoms.

If you notice fatigue and constant irritability, then you may have a mental disorder called astheno-neurotic syndrome.

Prevalence: This disease is one of the most common “diseases of civilization.” It is often called "managers' flu."

Educated and successful people are susceptible to the disease. The most typical age is from 20 to 40 years. These are entrepreneurs, managers, doctors, teachers. People whose work involves increased responsibility, such as air traffic controllers, are at particular risk.

In the past, astheno-neurotic syndrome was called “nervous exhaustion”

Creative individuals are also at risk.

Causes: The main causes are stress, prolonged nervous excitement, chronic lack of sleep, and constant overwork. Also factors contributing to the occurrence of astheno-neurotic syndrome are previous diseases, including colds, some viruses, poisoning, and poor environmental conditions.

Similar symptoms: What diseases can manifest themselves as “a head in a fog”? bad sleep, weakness and irritability, in addition to neurasthenia? First of all, these are asthenic conditions with the onset of serious illnesses. The second is masked depression, which at the beginning can easily be confused with astheno-neurotic syndrome. And syndrome chronic fatigue may manifest itself in a similar way.

So only a psychotherapist or psychiatrist can make a correct diagnosis. To make a diagnosis, professional psychological diagnostics (psychotests) are usually used, which you can take on your own (follow this link).

How the disease develops: The syndrome occurs gradually, with a combination of emotional and physical stress, constant fatigue. Most often, patients have complaints of general weakness, increased irritability, “fog” in the head, and the inability to cope with normal amounts of work.

If a person continues to be stressed and does not seek help medical care, his condition worsens - the usual set of complaints about a “cotton” head is joined by tearfulness and fog in the head. Irritability increases to an extreme degree, but irritation quickly gives way to weakness. Sleep is usually unstable, does not bring a feeling of rest, and after sleep the head feels like cotton wool. Appetite worsens, constipation or diarrhea may bother you. both men and women. The condition worsens before a change in weather (so-called “meteosensitivity”). In the absence of treatment at this stage, apathy, lethargy, severe weakness and persistent depression of mood are further added. Interest in life decreases, the patient thinks only about his painful condition, about his “fuzzy” head.

Left untreated, psychotic disorders may develop.

Treatment: The prospects for treatment are positive; usually psychotherapeutic methods give excellent results, including complete recovery. In severe cases, a combination of psychotherapy and psychopharmacotherapy is used.

Self-medication usually worsens the condition and leads to progression of the disease.

At the initial stage of the disease, in order to make a correct diagnosis, a psychotherapist needs to exclude all diseases that exhibit similar symptoms, because the more accurate the diagnosis, the more successful the treatment will be.

Different diseases with similar symptoms must be treated differently. Therefore, you should definitely consult a psychotherapist. A good psychotherapist selects therapy that matches the specific manifestations of the disease and the individual characteristics of each patient.

Astheno-neurotic syndrome is one of the most common “diseases of civilization.” It is often called "managers' flu."

Treatment of the syndrome depends on the severity of painful symptoms, but is primarily aimed at eliminating psychotraumatic factors. It is necessary to reduce both mental and physical activity. This is the most important condition for treatment; without such measures it will not be possible to defeat the disease. In the early stages of the disease, normalizing the rhythm of life, eliminating stress and psychotherapy may be enough to significantly improve health. And, of course, at this stage, psychotherapy methods that do not use drugs - cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalysis - have a very good effect, and group psychotherapy methods are very effective.

In any case, you need to see a psychotherapist.

In more advanced cases, additional psychopharmacotherapy may be required. Use restorative drugs, tranquilizers, if necessary sleeping pills and antidepressants. Psychotherapy is also actively used in the treatment of advanced astheno-neurotic syndrome.

The first indicator of improvement is the normalization of sleep and the disappearance of the feeling of “fog” in the head. With timely treatment, the problem can usually be completely overcome, however, if the tense environment and stress at work and in personal life continue to persist, various complications are possible.

Terminology and other names: In the past, astheno-neurotic syndrome, together with diseases of similar symptoms, was called “nervous exhaustion.”

In modern psychiatry, the term “neurasthenia” is more often used to refer to neuro-asthenic syndrome (synonyms). In the everyday sense, neurasthenia is usually perceived as a painful, nervous, unbalanced state, characteristic of weak-willed people, easily susceptible to various influences and moods, and in a state of acute mental crisis. And in the medical sense, this is “fuzzy head.”

Dizziness is a term used to describe the feeling of the body spinning and becoming unstable. Dizziness is one of the most common reasons why adults seek medical attention, as is chest pain or fatigue.

Although frequent dizziness or constant dizziness can significantly disrupt the patient’s normal life, nevertheless, this symptom is rarely a sign of a serious life-threatening illness for the patient. Treatment for dizziness is directly related to the cause and is usually quite effective.

Symptoms

Dizziness can usually be described as:

• Sensation of a feeling of movement or rotation
• Lightheadedness or feeling of fainting
• Loss of balance or instability
• Other sensations such as floating or heaviness in the head

A number of medical conditions can cause the feeling of dizziness. In some diseases, there is a disruption in the transmission of nerve impulses from one or more sensory systems to the brain, which leads to incorrect analysis of the information received. These disorders may affect the following sensory systems:

• Eyes that help determine the location of the body in space and its movement
• Sensory nerves (proprioception), which send messages to the brain about body movements and positions in space
• The inner ear, which contains sensors that help sense gravity and reciprocating motion

Some types of dizziness require immediate medical attention.

These are the following conditions accompanied by dizziness:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Sharp, severe headache
• Neck stiffness
• Blurred vision
• Severe acute hearing loss
• Speech disorders
• Weakness in a leg or arm
• Impaired consciousness
• Gait disturbance or falls
• Chest pain or heart rhythm disturbances.

Causes

Inner ear and body balance

The type of dizziness, such as a feeling of dizziness, a feeling of lightheadedness, or a feeling as if the body's balance is being lost - often provides clues possible reasons this feeling. Specific triggers, such as certain activities or positions, may provide clues to the underlying cause of dizziness. The duration of any episode of dizziness and any additional symptoms symptoms that appear in a person can also help determine the true cause.

Vertigo

Vertigo most often occurs as a result of an episode or temporary change in the activity of the vestibular structures inner ear(vestibular apparatus) or due to a disruption in the interaction of structures in the brain responsible for balance. These sensory analyzers sense movement and changes in head position. Rising from a position, sitting, or moving around the room may make dizziness worse. Sometimes the dizziness can be severe, leading to nausea, vomiting and problems with body balance. But vertigo usually does not last long. After 2-3 weeks, the body usually adapts to whatever makes a person dizzy.

Causes of dizziness may include:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV). BPPV causes intense, brief episodes of dizziness immediately after a change in head position, often when a person turns over in bed or sits at a desk in the morning. BPPV is the most common cause of dizziness.
• Inflammation of the inner ear. Signs and symptoms of inflammation of the inner ear (acute vestibular neuritis) include the sudden onset of intense, persistent dizziness that lasts for several days, along with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and balance problems. These symptoms may be so severe that the patient must remain in bed. When these symptoms are combined with sudden hearing loss, the condition is called labyrinthitis. Fortunately, vestibular neuritis usually subsides quickly and recovers on its own. But earlier drug treatment and rehabilitative vestibular therapy can help speed up the recovery process.
• Meniere's disease. This disease is associated with excess fluid accumulation in the inner ear. This condition is characterized by sudden episodes of dizziness, lasting up to several hours, associated with episodes of hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and a feeling of fullness in the affected ear.
• Vestibular migraine. Migraine is more than just a headache. Just as some people with migraines experience a visual “aura,” other patients may have episodes of dizziness due to migraines even when they do not experience severe headaches. These episodes of dizziness can last from hours to days and may also be accompanied by headaches and sensitivity to light and noise.
• Acoustic neuroma. This disease is a benign tumor (schwannoma) of the auditory nerve, which connects the inner ear to the brain. Symptoms of an acoustic neuroma usually include progressive hearing loss and tinnitus, on the one hand, which is accompanied by dizziness or imbalance.
• Other reasons. Rarely, dizziness may be a symptom of a more serious neurological condition such as a stroke, cerebral hemorrhage or multiple sclerosis. In such cases, other neurological symptoms are present, such as double vision, speech disturbances, changes in facial expression or numbness, loss of coordination in the limbs, or severe problems with body balance.

Feeling of "lightheadedness"

Dizziness can lead to a feeling of weakness and “lightheadedness,” without loss of consciousness. The feeling of lightheadedness is sometimes accompanied by nausea, paleness and clammy skin. Causes of this type of dizziness include:

• Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). A sudden drop in systolic blood pressure can lead to dizziness or a feeling of lightheadedness. This can happen after a sudden change in body position, such as getting up from a chair.
• Insufficient blood output from the heart. Certain conditions, such as diseases of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathies), abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), or a significant decrease in the volume of circulating blood, can cause inadequate blood flow from the heart.
• Balance imbalance

Impaired balance manifests itself as a feeling of instability when a person walks. Reasons may include:

• Problems in the inner ear (vestibular). Pathological processes in the inner ear can cause a person to feel unsteady when walking, especially in the dark.
• Sensory impairments. Visual impairment and peripheral neuropathy (in lower limbs) are common in older people and can lead to problems maintaining body balance.
• Joint and muscle problems. Muscle weakness and osteoarthritis can contribute to poor balance, especially if there are problems in large weight-bearing joints.
• Neurological conditions. Various neurological diseases can lead to progressive imbalance, such as Parkinson's disease and cerebellar ataxia.
• Medicines. Balance imbalance may be side effect some medicines such as anticonvulsants, sedatives and tranquilizers.
• Other types of dizziness

Other nonspecific sensations of “dizziness” are those sensations that the patient finds it difficult to describe and perceives as rotation or floating. Some causes of such dizziness include:

• Medicines. Antihypertensives may cause weakness if they significantly lower blood pressure. Many other medications can cause a non-specific feeling of dizziness, which disappears when the drug is stopped.
• Diseases of the inner ear. Some inner ear diseases can lead to a constant feeling of dizziness.
• Neurotic disorders. Some neurotic disorders such as panic attacks and fear of leaving the house or being in open spaces (agarophobia) can also trigger dizziness.
• Low hemoglobin levels (anemia). Along with dizziness with anemia, as a rule, other symptoms are present, such as fatigue, weakness, and pale skin.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). As a rule, hypoglycemia occurs in diabetic patients with an overdose of insulin. Dizziness due to hypoglycemia may be accompanied by symptoms such as sweating and confusion.
• Ear infections. Ear infections can cause dizziness in some cases. This type of dizziness disappears once the infection is eliminated.
• Overheating and dehydration. If a person is active in hot weather, or if they do not drink enough fluids, the person may feel dizzy from overheating (hyperthermia) or from dehydration. Resting in a cool place and drinking water usually relieves the feeling of dizziness.
• Chronic subjective dizziness. This is specific clinical syndrome, characterized by persistent nonspecific dizziness that has no obvious medical reason. Chronic subjective dizziness is associated with hypersensitivity to your motor functions. This type of dizziness is exacerbated by exposure to complex visual environments (such as a grocery store), visual movement (such as watching a video), visual imagery, and precise visual tasks.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of developing dizziness include:

• Age. People over 65 years of age are more likely to have somatic diseases that cause dizziness. They are also more likely to take medications that can cause dizziness.
• Taking certain medications. Some medications, such as blood pressure medications, anticonvulsants, sedatives, and tranquilizers, may cause dizziness.
• Previous episodes of dizziness. If a person has experienced dizziness before, then the likelihood of repeated episodes of dizziness is higher.

Complications

Dizziness can increase the risk of falling and injury. Episodes of dizziness while driving a car or operating heavy machinery may increase the likelihood of an accident. Inadequate treatment of diseases accompanied by dizziness can lead to complications.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis begins, first of all, with a consultation with a doctor. The doctor may be primarily interested in answers to the following questions:

• Is the dizziness continuous or sporadic?
• If the dizziness occurs in episodes, how long did the episode last?
• How often do episodes of dizziness occur?
• What triggers episodes of dizziness?
• Does the sensation of spinning, moving around, or spinning your body itself make you dizzy?
• Is dizziness accompanied by a feeling of weakness?
• Does dizziness cause imbalance?
• Is dizziness accompanied by ringing, a feeling of fullness in the ears, or hearing loss?
• Are there any visual impairments?
• Does dizziness get worse when you change your head position?
• What medications, vitamins or nutritional supplements does the patient accept?

The doctor thus narrows down the range of conditions that may be causing dizziness. A neurological examination helps identify the presence of neurological symptoms. After a physical examination, your doctor may prescribe additional methods examinations.

• Movement test eyeballs. The doctor may observe the movement of the patient's eyeballs while tracking a moving object. In addition, a test may be performed where cold or cold water is poured into the ear. warm water and eye movements are observed.
• Posturography. This method allows you to determine which parts of the balancing system are out of order.
• Vestibular testing also allows you to determine the degree of stability of the vestibular apparatus.

In some cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be needed. An MRI may be done to rule out acoustic neuroma or other problems in the brain that may be causing the dizziness.

Laboratory research methods are necessary in cases where there is suspicion of somatic diseases (for example, anemia).

Treatment

Treatment for dizziness depends on the cause and symptoms.

• BPPV. Treatment for BPPV includes simple procedure, in which a doctor or physical therapist performs a head repositioning maneuver. This procedure usually begins to work after one or two treatments.
• Diseases of the inner ear. Exercises to restore the vestibular system are used to treat acute vestibular neuronitis or labyrinthitis. To provide relief from nausea and dizziness, your doctor may prescribe medications such as meclizine (Antivert) and diazepam (Valium) or may recommend dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). In some cases, a short course of corticosteroids may be prescribed, which may improve vestibular function.
• Meniere's disease. Treatment of Meniere's disease involves reducing fluid in the body through the use of diuretics or dietary adjustments (reducing salt in food). Sometimes injections are given through the eardrum or surgery may be recommended.
• Vestibular migraine. To combat dizziness associated with vestibular migraine, it is necessary to identify and eliminate attack triggers by focusing on nutrition, stress, normal sleep and adequate physical activity. Some medications may help prevent vestibular migraine attacks or make them less severe, especially when there is nausea and vomiting. You can also perform special exercises that will help make the balance system less sensitive to movement (vestibular rehabilitation).
• Anxiety disorders. In such cases, both medications and psychotherapy may be recommended.

Lifestyle

• The patient should be aware that dizziness can lead to loss of balance, which can lead to a fall and serious injury.
• You must try not to move abruptly.
• You need to get up slowly.
• Carpets or electrical cords must be removed from the room. Anti-slip mats should be used in the bathroom.
• If the patient feels dizzy, then it is necessary to sit or lie down.
• Driving a car or operating heavy machinery should be avoided if the patient experiences frequent dizziness.
• It is necessary to use good lighting on the stairs and where the patient walks at night
• When walking, use a cane for stability if necessary.
• Avoid the use of caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. Excessive use of these substances may worsen dizziness.