When Dizziness and Anxiety Come Together, What's the Problem? | Incheon Dizziness

Incheon Dizziness

Delving into the true nature of dizziness and anxiety, and the sensations they bring.

Greetings from Baengnokdam Korean Medicine Clinic.

1. The term 'dizziness' — isn't it too vague?

Many people come to the clinic and say this:

“I'm dizzy.”

But with just that statement... it's often hard to know where to even begin.

Some say their head is spinning, some say the ground feels like it's sinking, and others report their vision suddenly going white. While it outwardly appears to be the same 'dizziness,' it often refers to completely different underlying pathologies.

And one more thing. Dizziness and anxiety often become intertwined and present simultaneously. So today, we'd like to take a closer look at this sensation of dizziness.

2. When physical unsteadiness comes first, anxiety follows

When the world suddenly feels like it's spinning and you can't control your body's balance. This is typically called rotatory vertigo. It's a common symptom when the balance organs in the ear have issues, such as in BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). The same applies when the vestibular nerve becomes inflamed after a viral infection. In such cases, anxiety is not the 'cause' but the 'result.' The body became unsteady first, and because that sensation was so vivid, the brain reacted as if 'something serious has happened.'

3. Conversely, there are times when anxiety strikes first

Before a meeting, in a crowded subway, or suddenly for no apparent reason. Your heart starts racing, you feel short of breath, and your hands and feet tremble. And then... you might feel lightheaded and lose your balance. This is a pattern commonly seen in panic disorder or anxiety disorder. Hyperventilation syndrome, in particular, can cause this type of dizziness. When you breathe too quickly, changes occur in cerebral blood flow, leading to dizziness. In these situations, it's less about a physical problem and more a sign that the brain and autonomic nervous system are under too much tension.

4. Key Differentiating Factors by Symptom Type

So, how exactly should we differentiate these types of dizziness?

• If it's a sensation of spinning? → Possible vestibular system dysfunction. This points to an issue with the ear or inner ear.
• If your vision suddenly goes white? → It could be orthostatic hypotension or a problem with blood circulation.
• If the ground feels shaky and you're swaying? → There's a possibility of sensory integration dysfunction or a brain disorder.
• If you feel like you're floating or have a sense of unreality? → This is highly likely to be connected to autonomic dysfunction or anxiety.

Thus, dizziness is not just a simple symptom but can be a 'signal' of various pathological conditions.

5. When Dizziness is Accompanied by Other Symptoms, Further Caution is Needed

If it's not just dizziness, but also ringing in the ears and aural fullness? → It could be an issue with the ear itself, such as Meniere's disease.

Dizziness + heart palpitations + shortness of breath → This could indicate a panic attack or an overactive autonomic nervous system.

Dizziness + vision darkening + cold sweats? → Vasovagal syncope or a cardiac issue cannot be ruled out.

Conversely... if dizziness + brain fog + persistent fatigue continue? This might indicate a decline in autonomic function or a state similar to brain fog.

6. How Does Korean Medicine Differentiate These?

In Korean medicine, this symptom is not simply dismissed as 'dizziness.' This is because the pathological stage (or underlying condition) varies depending on the pattern.

• If it's rotatory vertigo? → It's understood in terms of concepts like pung-dam-sang-yo (wind-phlegm upward disturbance) or gan-pung-sang-hang (liver wind hyperactivity).
• If you feel floating, unable to maintain balance? → Diagnoses like sim-dam-heo-geop (heart-gallbladder deficiency and fright) or gi-yeok-sang-yeok (reversed qi flow ascending) are made.
• If your head feels heavy and foggy? → This is interpreted as dam-seup-jung-jeo (phlegm-dampness obstruction) or a state where turbid phlegm-dampness due to damp-heat covers the brain.
• If your vision suddenly darkens and you feel weak? → We suspect gi-heo-ha-ham (qi deficiency and sinking) or sin-yang-bu-jok (kidney yang deficiency).

In this way, Korean medicine interprets the sensation of dizziness in a multi-layered manner, considering the flow of upward, downward, left, and right energies, mental imbalance, and the deficiency or excess of internal organs.

7. Ultimately, This is About Breaking a Vicious Cycle

The body becomes unsteady, causing the brain to feel anxious, and that anxious brain, in turn, makes the body even more unsteady. This creates a vicious cycle. What's important here is not just saying 'I'm dizzy,' but specifically describing how you're dizzy, what sensations you experienced before, and how your body is reacting.

8. Specific Descriptions Lead to More Accurate Diagnoses

Instead of just saying 'I'm dizzy,' try to describe it specifically: 'My head is spinning,' 'My vision went white,' or 'The ground feels like it's sinking.' That single detailed phrase can change the direction of diagnosis and lead to a different treatment strategy. Being acutely aware of your body's sensations can sometimes be very difficult, but it is precisely these sensations that allow us to find the most accurate path to recovery.

#dizziness #vertigo