Dizziness and Vertigo Treatment Clinic in Rockville, MD

Dizziness and vertigo are often used interchangeably, but they are distinct sensations. Dizziness is a general term used to describe various sensations, including lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or a feeling of faintness. Vertigo, on the other hand, is a specific type of dizziness where individuals experience the false sensation that they or their surroundings are moving or spinning. While dizziness can occur without vertigo, vertigo is often one of the symptoms associated with dizziness.

In some cases, dizziness can lead to the development of vertigo. For instance, if dizziness is caused by a disruption in the inner ear or vestibular system, such as in conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or vestibular neuritis, it can trigger episodes of vertigo. The dysfunction in the inner ear can send mixed signals to the brain, resulting in a spinning or tilting sensation, which is the hallmark of vertigo.

However, not all types of dizziness lead to vertigo. Dizziness can be caused by a variety of factors, including low blood pressure, dehydration, anemia, or even anxiety. These types of dizziness may not necessarily cause vertigo but can still lead to feelings of unsteadiness or lightheadedness. If you’re experiencing dizziness or vertigo, it’s important to seek medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. At Physicians Now Urgent Care in Rockville, MD, Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, offers comprehensive care to assess and treat dizziness and vertigo.

While vertigo and dizziness are often spoken of in the same sentence (including this one!), they are not interchangeable. For one, although vertigo often causes dizziness, it is also associated with several other symptoms, such as increased sweating, horizontal nystagmus, imbalance and unsteadiness, nausea, and vomiting. Moreover, dizziness can be caused by various other conditions or states, including motion sickness, poor blood circulation or a sudden drop in blood pressure, anxiety disorders, dehydration, low blood sugar or iron levels, neurological conditions, and various medications.

However, there is also a further difference between vertigo and dizziness. Whereas dizziness broadly refers to the feeling of being off-balance within a specific space, vertigo is often experienced distinctly as a kind of spinning, either with your surroundings or within yourself, without any actual movement causing the feeling. Vertigo occurs when you are standing still, while dizziness often results from specific movements that cause you to feel off balance.

Dizziness associated with vertigo can last for varying durations depending on the underlying cause. In some cases, it may last for a few seconds to minutes, especially if it’s triggered by positional changes, such as in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). For other conditions, like vestibular neuritis or Meniere’s disease, dizziness can last for hours or even days, with episodes of vertigo potentially recurring over time.

The duration of symptoms can also be influenced by the treatment received. Some people experience immediate relief after a few therapeutic maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver for BPPV. However, for more chronic cases, long-term management, including vestibular rehabilitation therapy or medication, may be necessary to control symptoms and improve balance.

If you’re experiencing dizziness or vertigo that persists, it’s essential to seek medical attention to identify the cause and receive appropriate treatment. At Physicians Now Urgent Care in Rockville, MD, Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, provides comprehensive care for dizziness and vertigo, offering personalized treatment plans to help you manage and alleviate your symptoms effectively.

If you are experiencing symptoms of vertigo for the first time, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor or come to an urgent care clinic to see a doctor who can examine your symptoms, determine what the underlying cause of your vertigo is, and provide any necessary treatment. While vertigo is not a dangerous illness in and of itself, you should be concerned about vertigo if it is frequently causing you to fall, injure yourself, or put others at risk while driving.

You should also seek immediate medical care if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms along with vertigo:

• Arm or leg weakness, causing you to fall or have difficulty walking
• Blindness or double vision
• Difficulty speaking
• Fever
• Hearing loss
• Loss of consciousness
• Numbness or tingling
• Sudden, severe, and unusual headache

Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, is a board-certified physician with over 21 years of experience in diagnosing and treating dizziness and vertigo. At Physicians Now Urgent Care in Rockville, MD, Dr. Olisemeka takes a comprehensive approach to patient care, ensuring that each individual receives a thorough evaluation to determine the root cause of their symptoms. His expertise allows him to create personalized treatment plans that focus on providing relief and improving balance, helping patients regain their stability and quality of life.

With over two decades of experience, Dr. Olisemeka is committed to offering compassionate care, prioritizing patient comfort and well-being. Whether you are dealing with occasional dizziness or chronic vertigo, Dr. Olisemeka’s approach is both patient-centered and evidence-based, ensuring you receive the most effective and tailored treatment options available. His dedication to improving patient outcomes makes him a trusted choice for dizziness and vertigo treatment at Physicians Now Urgent Care.

Contact us today for more information. We are conveniently located at 15215 Shady Grove Rd., Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850. We serve patients from Rockville MD, Gaithersburg MD, Darnestown MD, Potomac, MD and Travilah, MD, and surrounding areas.