Dizziness & Vertigo
★Overview
Dizziness and vertigo range from mild light-headedness that settles with eyes closed to a spinning, boat-like sensation with inability to stand, nausea, vomiting, sweating, or even fainting. Chinese medicine locates it in the head orifices and links it to dysfunction of the liver, spleen, and kidney. Excess mechanisms include liver yang ascending, phlegm turbidity obstructing the middle, and static blood blocking collaterals; deficiency mechanisms include qi-blood insufficiency and kidney essence deficiency failing to fill the sea of marrow.
Pattern differentiation (clinical patterns)
Liver Yang Ascending
Vertigo with tinnitus and distending headache worsened by fatigue or anger, intermittent flushing, irritability, poor dream-disturbed sleep, bitter taste, red tongue with yellow coating, wiry pulse.
Calm the liver and subdue yang; nourish liver and kidney.
Phlegm Turbidity Obstructing the Middle
Vertigo with heavy wrapped head and spinning vision, chest oppression, nausea, vomiting of phlegmy saliva, poor appetite and sleepiness, greasy white coating, slippery pulse.
Transform phlegm and expel dampness; fortify the spleen and harmonize the stomach.
Connections
Daily care & prevention
During an episode lie down, rise slowly, and avoid sudden head turns, heights, and driving. Keep regular hours, limit salt, caffeine, and alcohol, hydrate, and manage emotions. Between episodes exercise and do vestibular/balance training. Massage Baihui (GV20), Fengchi (GB20), Taichong (LR3), Fenglong (ST40), and Neiguan (PC6). Recurrent vertigo warrants evaluation (e.g., BPPV, Ménière, posterior circulation).
When to seek medical care
Sudden severe vertigo with slurred speech, limb weakness, facial droop, double vision, or severe imbalance (possible stroke), or with severe headache, altered consciousness, or new onset after trauma requires immediate emergency care.