Lightheadedness

Lightheadedness is a common and typically unpleasant sensation of dizziness or a feeling that one may faint. The sensation of lightheadedness can be short-lived, prolonged, or, rarely, recurring. In addition to dizziness, the individual may feel as though their head is weightless. The individual may also feel as though the room is "spinning" or moving (vertigo). Most causes of lightheadedness are not serious and either cure themselves quickly, or are easily treated. Keeping a sense of balance requires the brain to process a variety of information received from the eyes, the nervous system, and the inner ears. If the brain is unable to process these signals, such as when the messages are contradictory, or if the sensory systems are improperly functioning, an individual may experience lightheadedness or dizziness. Lightheadedness is very similar to pre-syncope. Pre-syncope is the immediate stage before syncope (fainting), particularly in cases of temporary visual field loss (i.e. vision getting "dark" or "closing in"). Lightheadedness can be simply (and most commonly) an indication of a temporary shortage of blood or oxygen to the brain due to a drop in blood pressure, rapid dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea, or fever. Other causes are: altitude sickness, low blood sugar, hyperventilation, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, panic attacks, and anemia. It can also be a symptom of many other conditions, some of them serious, such as heart problems (including abnormal heart rhythm or heart attack), respiratory problems such as pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary embolism, and also stroke, bleeding, and shock. If any of these serious disorders is present, the individual will usually have additional symptoms such as chest pain, a feeling of a racing heart, loss of speech or change in vision. Many people, especially as they age, experience lightheadedness if they arise too quickly from a lying or seated position. Lightheadedness often accompanies the flu, hypoglycaemia, common cold, or allergies.

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Publications associées (2)

Concepts associés (18)

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Carotid sinus

In human anatomy, the carotid sinus is a dilated area at the base of the internal carotid artery just superior to the bifurcation of the internal carotid and external carotid at the level of the superior border of thyroid cartilage. The carotid sinus extends from the bifurcation to the "true" internal carotid artery. The carotid sinus is sensitive to pressure changes in the arterial blood at this level. It is the major baroreception site in humans and most mammals.

Syncope (médecine)

En médecine, une syncope est un symptôme consistant en une perte de connaissance, le plus souvent brève, liée à une baisse transitoire de la perfusion cérébrale. Elle est habituellement brutale et par définition spontanément réversible, de durée courte. Elle peut ou non être précédée de prodromes (symptômes qui annoncent sa survenue). Les causes des syncopes sont cardiaques ou vasculaires. On en rapproche la lipothymie qui équivaut à une syncope avec prodromes mais sans perte de connaissance, et à laquelle on attribue une signification équivalente mineure.

Syndrome de tachycardie orthostatique posturale

Le syndrome de tachycardie orthostatique posturale (ou STOP ; en Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, POTS) est une condition de dysautonomie, et plus précisément d'intolérance orthostatique, pour laquelle un changement de la position allongée à une position verticale provoque une augmentation anormalement élevée de la fréquence cardiaque, appelée tachycardie. Plusieurs études montrent une diminution du débit sanguin cérébral en raison d'une circulation sanguine cérébrale systolique et diastolique diminuée en vitesse de respectivement 44 % et 60 %.