Feeling Off-Balance?
Seek Help for Dizziness and Motion Sickness

If you’re feeling a little off-kilter, how do you know if it’s just a slight case of motion sickness or dizziness, or a sign of something more serious?

Every year more than 2 million people visit doctors for dizziness, and motion sickness is the most common travel-related medical problem. Don’t brush off a bout of unsteadiness – dizziness and lightheadedness should be discussed with your doctor.

What Makes You Dizzy?
Dizziness can feel differently to different people, but in general it is characterized by feeling off-balance, lightheaded and unsteady. Some people may experience a balance problem called vertigo. Vertigo can cause people to feel like their surroundings are spinning or turning and is often due to an inner ear problem. Motion sickness is another common ailment. During motion sickness, people often feel nauseous and may vomit while riding in an airplane, automobile or boat or on an amusement park ride.

All three of these conditions are caused by a disruption in balance. Balance is maintained by the inner ears, eyes, skin pressure, muscle and joint receptors, and the central nervous system. When your central nervous system receives conflicting messages about where and how your body is moving from the ears, eyes, skin or muscles, you may experience motion sickness, vertigo or dizziness.

• Inner ear infections.
• Allergies.
• Neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
• Poor circulation.

If you feel dizzy or have motion sickness, there may be home remedies to alleviate your symptoms. Try avoiding sudden movements, such as standing up quickly. Don’t read while traveling and try looking out the window to get your bearings. Avoid anything that you are allergic to that may be causing the reaction. You may also want to talk to your doctor about getting a prescription before traveling if you are prone to motion sickness.

Finding Balance
You don’t have to suffer dizzy feelings alone. Talk to your health care provider about your symptoms. Most cases of dizziness and motion sickness are mild and go away on their own, but your doctor can help you determine if your symptoms are more serious.

We can help you regain your balance

Otolaryngology is the branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the ears, nose, and throat, and head and neck disorders. The full name of the specialty is otolaryngologyhead and neck surgery. Practitioners are called otolaryngologists or commonly ENT (ear, nose and throat). San Jacinto Methodist Hospital has two otolaryngologists on staff: Drs. Denis Hoasjoe and Danny Wong. Both physicians treat dizziness as well as other illnesses associated with the ears, nose and throat, and head and neck disorders.

Denis Hoasjoe, M.D.   Danny Wong, M.D. For more information on how San Jacinto Methodist Hospital can assist you, please call 281-420-8459.