Dizziness could be veritgo

Q I feel like the room is spinning sometimes. Is this dizziness something to be concerned about? — Liberty

A Many people use the term dizziness and vertigo interchangeably. Dizziness is characterized by a sensation of feeling that you are spinning. McGee describes dizziness as wooziness, lightheadedness or unsteadiness. Vertigo is a sensation of feeling that the room is spinning while you stand still. Benign positional vertigo is the most common form. The position of the head, such as looking up, lying down or turning over can cause short periods of vertigo. Benign positional vertigo can develop spontaneously or follow a head injury. A shifting of crystals, called otoliths, in the inner ear causes the imbalance.

These crystals help a person to maintain balance. The cause of benign positional vertigo can be unknown and can recur. The treatment may include practicing the position that stimulates the dizziness until the balance system adapts.

Meniere’s disease, or peripheral vestibular disorder, is a well-known cause of vertigo. It is thought to be caused by too much endolymph in the inner ear affecting the hair cells so that they do not work properly. The vertigo is made worse by a change in position and reduced by being stilled. Hearing loss and ringing in the ears (tinnitus) is common in Meniere’s disease.

Attacks of Meniere’s disease may occur several times a month or year and can last from a few minutes to several hours.

Some people have a spontaneous disappearance of the symptoms.

The treatment for Meniere’s disease includes medications to control the feelings of intense motion during vertigo. A diuretic, or a medication that reduces water retention, may be used to control the buildup of endolymph.

Surgery may be used to drain the inner ear and reestablish a normal inner ear fluid pressure.

Vestibular neuronitis is an acute attack of severe vertigo lasting for hours or days. Unlike Meniere’s disease no hearing loss is associated with vestibular neuronitis. The cause is unknown, but often occurs after a viral illness and may be related to a viral infection of the nerve.

Side effects of some medications can cause inner ear problems resulting in vertigo and dizziness. The important point to keep in mind is that vertigo is a symptom and should not be taken likely. If you are having symptoms, see your doctor so that you can begin an appropriate treatment.

Q Why do I crave salt? This craving is worse during the summer, but I do like to add salt to my food? — T.G., Anderson

A The National Academy of Science recommends at least 500 milligrams (mg) of sodium each day. In a study on hypertension, the researchers found that people in the study averaged 3,000 mg daily. Nutritionist Nancy Clark reports that 3,000 mg is the amount of salt in six small salt packets or the amount of sodium in one medium pizza. Your body has an amazing ability to maintain a stable sodium balance by eliminating any excess in either sweat or urine. Athletes who eat lots of salt have saltier sweat than those who do not. Ms. Clark recommends that you listen to your salt cravings. If you exercise and lose body fluids and salt through perspiration, your body may need extra salt. The rule of thumb is to add extra salt to your diet if you have lost more than four to six pounds while exercising. Too little salt can result in fatigue, muscle cramps and lack of thirst.

You also should check out how much water you are drinking. On average, people are encouraged to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. A person who exercises needs more fluids. Coffee, tea and other drinks containing high amounts of caffeine are not as effective. Caffeine has a diuretic effect and is not recommended for replacing fluids.

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