Coronavirus symptoms: Is dizziness a sign of COVID-19? Here's what experts want you to know

Dizziness can be quite commonly experienced by people owing to multiple reasons- exhaustion, dehydration, drop in blood pressure levels or as side-effects of certain medications- but it's not a symptom which can be so easily ignored.

Now, experts also believe that any unusual spell of dizziness during the current pandemic timeline could also mean a sign of COVID-19.

What's stranger is that unlike other typical symptoms, experiencing dizziness or fainting spells could be pointing to signs of neurological manifestations associated with COVID-19, meaning it could be dangerous if not attended.

Here's what you should know about this possible COVID-19 sign and the symptoms to look :

Neither WHO nor any health authority associates dizziness as a typical COVID symptom (like fever, dry cough or loss of smell). However, as the nature of the virus evolves and newer signs of degradation are being noticed, there is conclusive evidence to suggest that dizziness and vertigo could be caused by the virus and often strike people who may not experience any other symptom.

It should also be noted that symptoms like dizziness are often associated with viral infections, fever and malaise.

There are some experts who also feel that dizziness, vertigo and related symptoms could arise from clinical manifestations caused by SARS-COV-2 virus.

A study published in the Ear, Nose and Throat Journal collated data which pointed to the same. A total of 141 case studies were observed and studied at length. It was observed that while all 141 patients recorded suffering from dizziness during the course of their infection, at least 3 patients attested to having dizziness as their initial symptom of COVID-19, which was later followed by other respiratory symptoms.

Not only are doctors alerting people to be on the lookout for non-respiratory symptoms, but signs like dizziness could also act as early, non-specific signs associated with COVID-19.

Sudden, unusual onset of dizziness can be hard to ignore, and much like other symptoms, it could range from mild to severe. For some, dizziness could present as lightheadedness, unbalance move or in cases, extreme vertigo-like condition. Most people experience an unusual spinning sensation out of the blue, which could be a sign of dizziness and disorientation.

One of the reasons many feel dizziness could be related to COVID-19 is because of the many known complications of the virus.

As alarming as case studies are, it has been now long known that the virus could be a deadly marker for the brain and neurons, ergo, cause unpleasant symptoms including delirium, confusion, memory loss, disorientation, confusion and dizziness.

Dizziness, in particular, can also occur when there is sizeable inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which is responsible to send information to your brain about balance and coordination. Any lapses there could bring problems in communication, synchronisation and make a person feel dizzy and out of balance.

Not only does the discovery of symptoms such as these act like a vigilant call for people, but experts also feel that elderly patients are more prone to developing neurological complications and experience symptoms like disorientation.

Doctors also feel that since elderly patients don't really present COVID-19 symptoms the same way as the younger ones, they have a higher likelihood of experiencing dizziness, falling sensation and misbalance.

Since extreme dizziness, with or without COVID is a sign of neurological damage, doctors assert that any signs of worry, fainting, vertigo should be checked out at once.

First, rule out if your dizziness is caused by non-COVID causes, especially if you belong to a high-risk group, such as heart attack, dehydration, nerve problems.

If not, consider getting a doctor’s advice at the earliest.

If you suspect your dizziness to be a sign of COVID-19, get tested immediately.

Since neurological complications are often associated with severe forms of COVID-19, the earliest preventive care can help recover faster.

Patients at risk should also be on the lookout for signs like

-Nausea

-Fainting

-Heart rate, pulse

-Vomiting

-Headache

-Spells of confusion.

If you also experience a spike of high fever, accompanied by delirium, rush for care immediately.