Vertigo is a sensation related to an illusion of movement, while discomfort is more related to a feeling of weakness. These two conditions have different symptoms. The causes of dizziness and those of discomfort are also different.
What is vertigo?
We speak of vertigo when the person has a sensation of movement around them, or when they have the impression of moving themselves in space. Other symptoms may sometimes occur, such as nausea or vomiting. In rarer cases, hearing loss or visual disturbances may occur. Dizziness is generally experienced because there is a conflict between the different information received by the brain. As the High Authority of Health indicates, “ benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common of all vertigos “. This dizziness is triggered by changes in head position and lasts less than 60 seconds. Other disorders or pathologies can cause dizziness, such as:
- inner ear disorders, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or Ménière’s disease;
- visual problems, such as blurred vision or severe eye fatigue;
- motion sickness;
- side effects of certain medications;
- drug or alcohol use;
- increased pressure inside the skull, due to intracranial hypertension or a brain tumor;
- nerve damage, to the neck nerves or the acoustic nerve for example.
What is discomfort?
Malaise is an uncomfortable state, which is usually characterized by severe fatigue, impaired alertness and loss of muscle tone. This can lead to loss of consciousness and a fall. Symptoms associated with feeling unwell can be nausea, a feeling of shortness of breath or even pain in the body. The severity and symptoms of illness vary depending on the cause. Apart from the classic vagal discomfort, linked to hyperstimulation of the vagus nerve, the following factors can be the cause of discomfort:
- emotional shock;
- severe fatigue;
- the dehydration ;
- stress and anxiety;
- hypoglycemia, because low blood sugar can cause hypoglycemic discomfort;
- cardiovascular problems, such as a stroke or heart rhythm problems;
- neurological disorders, which can cause epileptic seizures.
The differences between dizziness and malaise
First of all, dizziness and malaise do not have the same symptoms. Dizziness is associated with sensations of movement, while malaise is a feeling of weakness. Dizziness and discomfort do not have the same causes. Vertigo is frequently associated with a balance disorder, while discomfort can be caused by different physical and psychological factors. In all cases, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional as soon as symptoms of dizziness or discomfort appear. This allows you to benefit from personalized advice and to be able to detect if an underlying disease is the cause of these disorders.
Sources
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Diagnostic and therapeutic maneuversHigh Authority of Health (HAS), January 22, 2018
- Discomfort: let’s improve our knowledgeFrench Society of Emergency Medicine, 2014
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