Dizziness: Self-Care and When to See a Doctor | Should You Seek Medical Care for Dizziness or Vertigo During Travel?
■Symptoms
Dizziness is a symptom that may make you feel as though you or your surroundings are spinning, cause unsteadiness, or make it difficult to remain standing. The way dizziness feels can vary from person to person.
You may experience sensations such as “the room is spinning,” feeling unsteady when standing up, difficulty walking in a straight line, or dizziness accompanied by nausea. During travel, dizziness may be triggered by fatigue, lack of sleep, dehydration, or prolonged travel.
In many cases, dizziness is caused by inner ear disorders or temporary changes in your physical condition. However, in some cases, it may be related to diseases affecting the brain or heart.
Causes
Possible causes include:
- Cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke
- Cardiovascular conditions such as arrhythmias or low blood pressure
- Inner ear disorders such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or vestibular neuritis
- Dehydration, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), or anemia
- Fatigue, lack of sleep, or stress
Most cases are not life-threatening. However, dizziness accompanied by neurological symptoms or chest pain may indicate a medical emergency.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek Medical Attention Promptly If You Have:
- Weakness or numbness in your arms or legs
- Slurred speech
- A severe headache
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Confusion or altered consciousness
- Severe dizziness that prevents you from walking
You May Monitor Your Symptoms If:
- Your dizziness is mild and improves within a short time
- Your symptoms improve after drinking fluids
- Fatigue or lack of sleep is the likely cause
- Your daily activities are not significantly affected
However, if your symptoms recur or the cause is unclear, we recommend seeing a doctor as a precaution.
Self-Care
- Lie down and rest in a safe place
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Avoid standing up too quickly
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Get enough sleep and rest
If your symptoms are severe or accompanied by neurological symptoms, do not rely on self-care alone. Please seek medical attention immediately.
What We Can Do at Our Clinic
We provide:
- English-speaking medical care
- Medical consultation and neurological assessment by a physician
- Blood pressure measurement and physical examination
- Blood tests when indicated
- Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy for dehydration
- Prescription medications when appropriate, including anti-nausea and anti-vertigo medications
- Referral to specialist medical facilities if necessary
Appointment
At our clinic in Shinsaibashi, Osaka, international travelers can receive medical care with confidence. We offer same-day appointments and English-speaking medical services.
If you are experiencing dizziness, vertigo, or unsteadiness, please feel free to contact us by phone or email.
International Clinic Osaka Shinsaibashi (ICOS) provides English-speaking medical care for the evaluation of dizziness, diagnosis of dehydration and infectious diseases, and appropriate testing and treatment. International visitors are welcome.
Address:
4F Zenith Building, 1-13-25 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan
Phone:
+81-6-6484-6392
Email:
c.icos@international-clinic-osaka.com