10 Common Causes of Dizziness in Children

10 Common Causes of Dizziness in Children

If your child tells you he feels dizzy, don’t be unduly alarmed, reports the American Academy of Paediatrics, or AAP. Dizziness is common among healthy children and can result from a child spinning around during play, or from getting up too quickly from squatting or sitting down. However, sometimes dizziness can be a sign of a more serious condition, so you should feel free to speak with your paediatrician if you have any concerns.

Symptoms

When your child says he feels dizzy, most likely he feels lightheaded or unsteady. However, if your child says he feels like the room is spinning, or feels unsteady while sitting or standing still, then he may have a condition called vertigo. Feelings of vertigo can be difficult for a child to articulate, so you may want to ask your child about specific vertigo symptoms to gain a greater understanding of what your child is experiencing.

Classification of Dizziness in Children

Although it can be hard for a child to distinguish between the differences among them dizziness is classified into three categories as a disorder; these are:-

      1.      Syncope - Generally, syncope relates to a feeling of confusion, light headedness, dimmed vision or loss of consciousness. It is a sensation felt by many when they stand up too fast.

    2.  Vertigo - Vertigo relates to the feeling of spinning, as though your head or the room is in a constant circular motion.

    3.  Nonsyncope nonvertigo – Nonsyncope- nonvertigo includes a wide range of feelings, with feeling hard to keep balance as a typical one.

What Causes Dizziness in Children?

Dizziness in young children is commonly caused by spinning for too long whilst playing, or standing up too fast. In these instances, there is certainly no cause for concern. That being said, there are times when the cause of the dizziness can be a more serious health condition, so be sure to speak with your pediatrician if you have noticed abnormal dizziness in your children. 

1. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, also known as BPPV, is caused by a rapid change in position of your head, which causes a brief, yet intense period of vertigo. This can happen when you sit up or roll over in bed.

2. Problems with Ear

Some diseases with ears can also cause the dizzy feeling.

• Inner ear inflammation: If the inner ear becomes inflamed, it can cause numerous symptoms, including dizziness. It is possible for this to persist for several days. This condition usually dissipates on its own, but medical treatment can help speed up the recovery.
• Ear infection: It is possible for an ear infection to cause dizziness in children. This feeling should pass as the infection clears.

3. Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s Disease that also affects the ear, and involves the vast build-up of fluid within your inner ear. A sudden episode of vertigo will happen with Meniere’s disease. It is possible for this spell of dizziness to last for several hours.

4. Anemia

Anemia is the name given to the condition that leads a deficiency in essential nutrients in a person's blood, including iron, red blood cells, haemoglobin, oxygen and vitamins. There are various forms of anemia, each with different symptoms. This condition can lead to dizziness, among other symptoms like weakness and fatigue.

5. Medications

Some medication that you give to your child may have some side effects, including loss of balance and dizziness, so be sure to check the label and instruction at first. In most cases, the episodes of dizziness should disappear when your child stops taking the medication that was supposed to be causing it.

6. Anxiety Disorders

Certain anxiety disorders that can cause dizziness in children. Anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks, can lead to prolonged spells of dizziness. It is even possible for dizziness to be caused by some other problems, and to be worsened by anxiety disorders, lasting longer than normal.

7. Migraine

Those who experience migraines may also experience spells of dizziness, even if they have no headache, the most common symptom associated with a migraine, it is still possible to experience episodes of dizziness.

8. Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar, also called Hypoglycemia, can cause dizziness. Failure to maintain the correct blood sugar levels can lead to episodes of dizziness, especially for those with diabetes. Low blood sugar levels can also lead to numerous health complications, and immediate medical attention is required if this is the case.

9. Overheating and Dehydration

If your child becomes dehydrated or overheated, then they may experience spells of dizziness. These episodes are little to worry about, and can easily be avoided by ensuring that they drink plenty of fluids, and don’t stay in the sun for too long.

10. Chronic Subject Dizziness

This is the term given to nonspecific dizziness which does not have an obvious cause that can be determined. This is usually associated to over sensitivity to one’s own motion, which is exacerbated by complex visual imagery, such as a movie.

When Should You Worry About the Dizziness in Children?

Usually, the episode of dizziness will pass as the cause is transient. If the dizziness is continuing to reoccur, then ensure to visit your child’s pediatrician. They will be able to assess your child, determine what may be causing it and the best cause of action to take to ease the condition. Treatments for dizziness include some medications, physical therapy and surgery in extremely rare cases.

If the dizziness in your children is frequent and unexplainable, then be sure to visit their pediatrician immediately. This is especially true if the dizziness is accompanied with other symptoms, such as weakness, fatigue, nausea, blurred vision, hearing loss, fever, stiff joints, chest pain and/or difficulty walking.

Warning Signs

If your child experiences any unexplained, recurrent or severe dizziness, see his pediatrician immediately. You should also contact his pediatrician as soon as possible if the dizziness is accompanied by a head injury, stiff neck, high fever, blurred vision, hearing loss, problems with speech, weakness in the limbs or difficulty walking, chest pain or a slow heart rate.

Treatment of Dizziness in Children

Most often, dizziness is transient and will resolve itself without the need for treatment. However, if your child experiences recurring dizziness, her pediatrician may recommend a number of treatment options based on her symptoms and the underlying cause of the dizziness. Possible treatments for dizziness include certain medications, such as diuretics to reduce water retention in cases of Meniere's disease, physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises, and, in some rare cases, surgery.