COVID-19 is often associated with fever, cough, and shortness or breath. COVID-19 may present with many symptoms. These symptoms and their severity can vary from one person to another.
COVID-19 may also cause neurological symptoms such as headaches, loss of taste or smell, and even loss of sense of smell. COVID-19 can also cause vertigo and dizziness.
This article will discuss the current knowledge about vertigo and dizziness as symptoms of COVID-19.
Is dizziness an symptom of COVID-19
Before we get into the details of COVID-19 and dizziness/vertigo, let’s first describe what both these symptoms are like and how they differ.
- Dizziness. Dizziness refers to feeling off-balance, or unsteady. You may feel dizzy if you have difficulty staying balanced, or you may stumble when you walk.
- Vertigo. Although often confused with dizziness, vertigo is a sensation that makes you feel like your surroundings or yourself are moving. Vertigo is characterized by a spinning sensation or tipping sensation.
There are many causes of dizziness or vertigo. Problems with the inner ears are one of these causes. Your inner ear plays a vital role in maintaining your equilibrium and balance.
Some viral infections can cause inner ear damage, which can lead to vertigo or dizziness. vestibular neuritis is one example of such a condition.
Vestibular neuritis is caused by inflammation of the nerve connecting the inner ear and the brain. Some case reports, such as one in 2020 or one in 2021 have actually described vestibular neuritis shortly after COVID-19.
This may not be the only reason COVID-19 can cause vertigo or dizziness. While much is still unknown about the causes of these symptoms, there are some possible mechanisms:
- The effects of inflammation on the infection
- Nerve tissue infection by direct virus
- Hypooxia (low oxygen) can cause nerve tissue damage.
- Hypercoagulopathy is a condition that results in an increase in blood-clotting.
How common are they?
We are still trying to determine the exact frequency of vertigo and dizziness with COVID-19. Researchers have started to examine how frequently these symptoms are present.
A April 2020 Report examined neurological symptoms among 214 patients with COVID-19. The study found that 16.8% of those with COVID-19 experienced dizziness. People with severe illnesses were more likely to experience neurological symptoms.
Another study was conducted in October 2020. This time, it looked at dizziness and vertigo among COVID-19 patients. One-third (28.4%) of the 185 respondents to a questionnaire reported dizziness or vertigo.
These numbers are consistent with the September 2020 review of 14 studies which described dizziness in COVID-19 symptoms. These studies showed that dizziness was reported by approximately 4 to 30% of the participants.
What is the most common dizziness with COVID-19 treatment?
There are not many reports of dizziness in COVID-19. Some reports suggest that dizziness could be an earlier symptom of COVID-19.
According to the April 2020 Report, most neurological symptoms such as dizziness present early. Another April 2020 Report mentions dizziness as an onset symptom of illness.
Two case studies, one that was taken from April, and one that was taken from July in 2020, both reported dizziness to be one of the first symptoms of COVID-19. These two individuals experienced dizziness as a new symptom of COVID-19, and not other symptoms such as fever or cough.
Long-haul covid and dizziness
COVID-19 is a condition that can be treated quickly. However, there are some people who experience persistent symptoms that last several weeks or even months. This is long-haul coVID-19.
It is estimated that 10-15% to 35 percent of those who have COVID-19 suffer from long-term symptoms. The severity of long-term COVID-19 symptoms is not related to how severe they are. This means that even people with mild symptoms may develop it.
Long-haul COVID-19 may cause dizziness. Many long-haul symptoms can be neurological. Some other symptoms long-haul COVID-19 symptoms have been reported:
- Extreme fatigue
- Having trouble with memory and concentration ( brain fog).
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Low-grade fever
- GI symptoms such as diarrhea and constipation are all signs of gastrointestinal (GI).
It is not known how COVID-19 causes long-haul COVID-19. It’s also not clear why certain people experience long-haul symptoms and others don’t. These topics are both ongoing research.
What can you do if dizziness is a problem?
There are many causes of dizziness that don’t necessarily have to do COVID-19. If you are concerned about COVID-19, there are some other symptoms that you should be aware of:
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Body aches and pains
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Runny, stuffy nose
- Loss of taste or smell
- GI symptoms include nausea, diarrhea and vomiting
Are some symptoms more common than others?
Some cases of dizziness have been identified as an early sign of COVID-19. Although exact symptoms may vary from person to person, these symptoms are often reported as early signs of COVID-19.
- Fièvre
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Kopfschmerz
- Loss of taste or smell
How to get emergency care
COVID-19 can be severed by certain symptoms. You or someone you know has one of these symptoms? Call 911 or go to the emergency department.
- Difficulty in breathing
- Pain or pressure in your chest that won’t go away
- Lips or nails or skin with a pale, blue or gray color
- Trouble waking up, or difficulty staying awake
- Confusion
What is the best way to treat dizziness?
You can relieve dizziness and vertigo, regardless of whether it is caused by COVID-19.
- Lie down or sit down. Get up and get down. You can also rest your head between your knees on a chair. This is a good way to reduce dizziness but it can also make vertigo worse so take your time.
- Be careful. Vertigo or dizziness can cause falls. You should move slowly and carefully if you have to. If possible, use a cane or walking stick to support you.
- Hydrate. You can get worse symptoms from dehydration, so drink water while you heal.
- Do not engage in certain activities until you feel better.
- Get some rest. It’s important to get enough sleep, especially if you have an infection.
The bottom line
Two possible symptoms of COVID-19 are dizziness and vertigo. These symptoms may appear relatively early in life, according to current reports.
COVID-19 may cause dizziness, but it’s not known why.
vertigo. There are two possible causes: inflammation due to the infection and direct nerve tissue infection.
Sit down or lie down if you experience dizziness or vertigo. Slowly get up if you have to. COVID-19 is a serious condition. Other symptoms that you should be aware of include fever, headaches, loss of taste or smell, and nausea.
