A person who frequently experiences dizziness, head pressure, and balance problems may be suffering from one of many forms of sensitivity to movement. The most common types of sensitivity to movement are vertigo and dizziness, which can leave an individual groggy, unstable, and nauseated. Most episodes of motion sensitivity can be relieved by staying still and focusing your eyes on a fixed object. However, severe sensitivity to movement should be reported to a doctor who can check for more serious underlying neurological problems.
Motion sickness is typically a reaction to constant movement. Traveling by car on a windy road, experiencing turbulence on an airplane, or moving with the waves on a boat are the most common causes. People who are prone to motion sickness often have nausea and dizziness, and symptoms tend to get progressively worse. If an individual cannot stop moving, they may begin to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and experience blurred vision.
Symptoms of motion sickness usually start to go away once movement stops. To promote a speedy recovery, a person can try to focus on a stationary object, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, and drink carbonated beverages to calm the stomach. To help prevent motion sickness episodes in the future, a person may consider taking over-the-counter medications available at most pharmacies.
Vertigo is an especially uncomfortable form of sensitivity to movement that can result from even the slightest movements, such as sitting up in bed. A person who has vertigo often feels like his head is spinning; the surroundings seem to move in circles. Vertigo can cause nausea, vomiting, severe headaches, and problems with balance. Vertigo episodes can be severe enough to cause mental confusion, severe fatigue, and chronic insomnia.
People with mild or infrequent vertigo may find relief by following the treatment measures described for dizziness. A doctor must examine the more serious problems to determine the exact causes of the sensitivity to movement. Many underlying causes can contribute to vertigo symptoms, including migraine headaches, hormonal imbalances, or a variety of neurological and balance disorders, including Meniere's disease.
Once the cause of the sensitivity to movement has been diagnosed, the doctor can determine the most appropriate treatment. Anticholinergic medications are commonly prescribed to help with neurological imbalances, and migraine pills are effective in relieving chronic headaches. Sometimes a simple, non-invasive procedure known as canal repositioning is done to help the inner ear better control balance and reaction to movement.