Many different problems can affect the ears, nose and throat. If you or your child are dealing with symptoms like earaches, hoarseness, snoring or sinus pain, the team at Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) can provide all the care you need, close to home.
Reviewed 3/9/2023
Dizziness: True or false.
Dizziness is a word that can describe a number of physical symptoms—light-headedness, unsteadiness, and feeling like you're going to faint or that you're spinning. Find out how much you know about the different kinds and causes of dizziness.
True or false: In most cases, dizziness is not a sign of something serious.
True. The causes of dizziness are usually easily treated and may even disappear on their own. Dizziness can be the side effect of a virus, like the flu or an ear infection. Or it can occur after you stand up too quickly from a chair. But there are times when it can signal a bigger problem.
True or false: If you feel like you're spinning or the room is moving around you, you might have a type of dizziness called vertigo.
True. Vertigo can last for a few seconds to several days and can be accompanied by nausea, headache, shortness of breath and a racing heartbeat. Vertigo usually occurs when something affects your vestibular system, the part of the inner ear that controls balance. Viral infections, fluid buildup, head injury and even migraines can throw off the vestibular system.
True or false: Light-headedness, or feeling like you're going to faint, is often caused by too much blood rushing to your head.
False. Light-headedness frequently is a result of your brain not getting enough blood. It can occur because you're ill and dehydrated from vomiting and having diarrhea. Or it can be caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure.
True or false: Dizziness sometimes can be treated with medication—or even by tilting your head at a certain angle.
True. Medications like antihistamines, anti-nausea drugs and sedatives may be used to treat dizziness. For a type of vertigo caused by a buildup of calcium deposits in the inner ear, shifting the position of your head may be the only treatment you need. Tilting the head forces the deposits to move to a different part of the ear.
True or false: Dizziness can be a symptom of stroke.
True. You should get help right away if dizziness is accompanied by symptoms of stroke; if you have a history of stroke; or if you have risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or smoking.
Have you experienced episodes of dizziness? If so, call your doctor. A physical exam and some tests likely will find the cause.
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; National Institutes of Health; UpToDate
What to expect from our otolaryngologists
Our board-certified otolaryngologists strive to provide patients with a better understanding of their condition while delivering the highest level of medical and surgical treatment. We’ll begin your care by doing a thorough physical exam and ordering imaging or other tests as needed to help us understand the problem and recommend the best solution.
If nonsurgical treatments aren’t enough to address your condition, our doctors are specialists in head and neck surgery and can provide the treatment you need right here on our Brunswick and Camden campuses.
ENT conditions we treat
As the area’s only full-time ENT practice, we can help with:
Sinus problems, including anatomical obstructions, polyps and infections. We have the option of using in-office endoscopies to help us quickly diagnose sinus issues. Depending on the cause, we may recommend nonsurgical treatments like medication, or a surgical procedure, such as septoplasty or turbinectomy, to remove an anatomical obstruction.
Sleep apnea. This common condition can sometimes be treated with lifestyle changes or nonsurgical treatments, such as losing weight or using a CPAP machine. If those treatments don’t work, our otolaryngologists can offer a variety of surgical fixes, including tonsillectomy, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, adenoidectomy, tracheostomy and implanting the Inspire sleep apnea device.
Hearing loss. Losing your sense of hearing can be a frightening thing. Our otolaryngologists will diagnose the cause of hearing loss and recommend the proper treatment. We offer nonsurgical treatments like medications and hearing aid referrals as well as surgical treatments, such as ear tubes and eardrum repair.
Throat, voice and speech issues. Our team has expertise addressing a variety of issues, including hoarseness, nodules, laryngeal cancer and vocal cord paralysis, using both nonsurgical and surgical techniques.
Pediatric ENT. We understand that having a child with an ENT issue can be stressful. We’re here for you and will provide the expert care your family needs. Our pediatric ENT services include:
- Tonsil and/or adenoid removal to treat recurrent tonsillitis
- Ear tubes to treat chronic ear infections
- Surgical repair of congenital issues in the sinuses and neck
- Removal of foreign objects
Make an ENT appointment
To make an appointment, give us a call at either of our locations. While we don’t require referrals, it’s best to check whether your insurance does.
- Brunswick: 912-466-7280
- St. Marys: 912-466-7280