Causes, Related Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis

Possible causes of dizziness include vertigo, dehydration, hypoglycemia, and neurological conditions. Lifestyle changes and medications are among the most common treatments.

Dizziness is the feeling of being lightheaded, woozy, or off-balance. It’s linked to the sensory organs, specifically the eyes and ears, so it can sometimes cause fainting. Dizziness isn’t a disease itself but rather a symptom of various disorders.

Dizziness is common. Occasional dizziness isn’t something to worry about. However, it’s important to call a doctor immediately if you’re experiencing repeated episodes of dizziness for no apparent reason or for a prolonged period.

Dizziness has a variety of possible causes.

Vertigo and disequilibrium

True dizziness is the feeling of lightheadedness or nearly fainting.

Vertigo and disequilibrium may both cause a feeling of dizziness, but these two terms describe distinct sensations.

Vertigo is characterized by a spinning sensation, like the room is moving. It may also feel like motion sickness or as if you’re leaning to one side.

Disequilibrium is a loss of balance or equilibrium.

A common cause of vertigo and vertigo-related dizziness is benign positional vertigo (BPV). BPV leads to short-term dizziness when someone changes positions quickly, such as sitting up in bed after lying down.

Dizziness and vertigo can also be triggered by Meniere’s disease. This condition causes fluid to build up in the ear with associated ear fullness, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

Another possible cause of dizziness and vertigo is an acoustic neuroma. This noncancerous tumor forms on the vestibulocochlear nerve (auditory nerve), which connects the inner ear to the brain.

Common causes

Losing too much fluid can result in dehydration, one of the most common causes of dizziness. Symptoms of dehydration include thirst and dry skin.

Other common causes of dizziness include a migraine attack or alcohol.

Dizziness can also result from a problem in the inner ear, which is the area that senses movement and regulates balance. These problems include hearing loss.

Dizziness may be linked to certain medications, too, including:

• muscle relaxants
• antiepileptic drugs
• antihistamines
• blood pressure medications

Other possible causes

Some other potential causes of dizziness include:

• Sudden drop in blood pressure: Sudden low blood pressure may be caused by various medical conditions or even from standing up (orthostatic hypotension). It can lead to dizziness and falling, especially in older adults.
• Cardiomyopathy: In this condition, the heart muscles become rigid and weak and pump less blood. Symptoms can include dizziness, fainting, and trouble breathing.
• Heart attack: While chest pain is the most common indicator of a heart attack, dizziness or lightheadedness can also be symptoms. They occur if there’s not enough blood reaching your brain.
• Arrhythmia: Arrhythmia occurs when the heart beats at an atypical pace. It can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or shortness of breath.
• Circulation problems: Cardiomyopathy, heart attack, and other heart conditions can result in circulation problems, where your heart is unable to pump enough blood. This can cause you to feel dizzy.
• Excessive exercise: Overexerting yourself may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. It can also lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion, which can both cause dizziness.
• Heat exhaustion: If you’re in a hot environment and sweating excessively, you’re likely experiencing heat exhaustion. The condition may make you feel dizzy, thirsty, and weak.
• Decrease in blood volume: Low blood volume can result from bleeding or dehydration. It can cause dizziness, fatigue, and low blood pressure. Learn more about the relationship between dehydration and blood pressure.
• Anxiety disorders: Dizziness may be related to anxiety with no other physical causes. You may have repeated episodes of dizziness.
• Anemia: Anemia is a low red blood cell count. Low levels of iron-rich hemoglobin in your red blood cells mean the cells can’t transport enough oxygen throughout the body. The lack of oxygen caused by anemia may make you feel dizzy, tired, or short of breath.
• Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can make you feel shaky, lightheaded, or hungry. Severe hypoglycemia is a serious condition that can cause a seizure. Discover other symptoms associated with hypoglycemia.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning: If carbon monoxide fumes from cars, grills, or furnaces build up indoors, breathing them in can be fatal. Dizziness, headache, and vomiting are all symptoms.
• Motion sickness: Traveling by car or boat or experiencing other types of motion can give you motion sickness. You may feel dizzy and nauseous.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS): Multiple sclerosis (MS) damages the brain and spinal cord. It causes a range of symptoms that can include dizziness.
• Parkinson’s disease: Dizziness is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease, a neurological condition that causes shaking and balance issues. Dizziness may become more noticeable in later stages of Parkinson’s.
• Infections: A variety of infections are associated with dizziness. Examples include:
  • COVID-19: You may feel dizziness and vertigo while you have or recover from COVID-19. The dizziness and vertigo may be associated with headaches and a loss of balance.
  • Other viral infections: Other viral infections, such as the flu or a cold, may also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. These infections may be associated with dehydration as well.
  • Ear infection: An ear infection may lead to inflammation in your inner ear, causing dizziness and balance troubles. Ear infections are associated with both bacterial and viral causes.
  • Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis: Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis occur when specific nerves in your inner ear become inflamed. Triggers often include viral infections, but they can vary. Bacterial infections are more common in people with labyrinthitis than in people with vestibular neuritis.

In rare cases, a stroke, a malignant tumor, or another brain disorder can cause dizziness.

People who are dizzy may experience various sensations, including:

• lightheadedness or faintness
• a false sense of spinning
• unsteadiness
• a loss of balance
• a feeling of floating

Sometimes, dizziness is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or fainting. Seek emergency medical help if you have these symptoms for extended periods.

When to call a doctor about dizziness

It’s important to call a doctor if you have repeated bouts of dizziness. Also, notify a doctor immediately if you experience sudden dizziness along with:

• a head injury
• a headache
• neck stiffness
• a high fever
• ongoing vomiting
• blurred vision
• hearing loss
• tinnitus
• difficulty speaking
• numbness or tingling
• droopiness of the eye or mouth
• loss of consciousness
• chest pain
• heart palpitations or a low heart rate

These symptoms could indicate a serious health problem, so it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. According to a 2021 Swedish study, 5% of people who used emergency services for dizziness had a time-critical medical issue.

If you don’t already have a primary care doctor, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find a physician in your area.

Treatment for dizziness focuses on the underlying cause. In most cases, home remedies and medical treatments can help you manage the underlying cause.

The following are potential treatments for the causes of dizziness:

• Vertigo and benign positional vertigo (BPV): BPV, a common cause of vertigo, can often be resolved with the Epley maneuver. This exercise involves turning your head in specific ways to help alleviate symptoms. Surgery is typically not needed, but it’s an option for people who can’t manage their BPV otherwise.
• Meniere’s disease: This condition has no cure, but it may improve with medications, a healthful low-salt diet, antibiotic or corticosteroid injections, or ear surgery.
• Acoustic neuroma: If the tumor grows, you may need radiation or surgery.
• Dehydration: To help treat dehydration, drink plenty of fluids.
• Migraine: Treatment for migraine attacks includes medications and lifestyle changes, such as learning to identify and avoid migraine triggers.
• Alcohol: Drinking less alcohol may help you avoid dizziness from overconsumption.
• Inner ear issues: You may be able to manage inner ear issues with medications or at-home exercises that help you maintain your balance.
• Medications: If medications seem to be causing your dizziness, speak with a doctor about changing your medication or dose.
• Sudden drop in blood pressure: Treatment for sudden low blood pressure depends on the cause or underlying condition, but it may involve adjusting your medications, exercising, or changing positions slowly when standing up.
• Cardiomyopathy: This condition may be improved with medications or lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and eating a heart-healthy diet.
• Heart attack: A heart attack requires emergency treatment, which may include medications, oxygen therapy, or surgery.
• Arrhythmia: Arrhythmia doesn’t always require treatment. Healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercising and eating a balanced diet, can help you manage your symptoms. Heart medications are also available. Surgery is reserved for more serious cases.
• Circulation problems: Circulation problems may improve with regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, medications, or surgery.
• Excessive exercise or heat exhaustion: Drinking plenty of fluids can help when dizziness is caused by excessive exercise or heat exhaustion.
• Decrease in blood volume: Treatment for low blood volume focuses on restoring fluids through an intravenous (IV) line and treating underlying causes such as bleeding.
• Anxiety disorders: Medications and anxiety-reducing techniques, such as therapy, can help with anxiety disorders.
• Anemia: Iron supplements, medications, and eating a balanced diet can help treat anemia.
• Hypoglycemia: If you have symptoms of hypoglycemia, try drinking fruit juice or soda or taking glucose tablets. For severely low blood glucose levels, you may need an injection of the hormone glucagon. Discover other emergency treatments for hypoglycemia.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning: This condition requires immediate medical care. It may be treated with oxygen, a ventilator, and IV fluids.
• Motion sickness: You can try ginger candy, aromatherapy, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for motion sickness. Learn more about remedies for motion sickness.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS): This condition currently has no cure, but physical therapy and medications may help with symptoms.
• Parkinson’s disease: Medications, surgery, and exercises may improve Parkinson’s disease symptoms, though there is no cure at the moment.
• Infections: Treatment will depend on the cause of the infection but will likely include hydration and rest.
  • COVID-19: Staying hydrated, resting, and doing balance exercises may help with dizziness that persists after a COVID-19 infection. If your symptoms get worse, it’s important to have a doctor check for other underlying conditions.
  • Other viral infections: Hydration and rest are key to recovery. Antiviral medications are also available to help you manage conditions such as the flu. OTC medications such as decongestants and pain relievers can help treat a cold.
  • Ear infection: An ear infection may get better with rest and drinking fluids, or it may be treated with antibiotics.
  • Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis: Treatment often includes medications such as antidizziness medications, antihistamines, and antibiotics.
• Stroke: You need emergency medical care for a stroke, which may include medications as well as surgery to repair and prevent internal bleeding.
• Malignant tumor: Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or other medications.
• Brain disorders: Treatments will vary depending on the disorder. Possible treatments include pain relievers, physical therapy, speech therapy, and surgery.

A doctor can narrow down the cause of your dizziness by performing a physical examination. They’ll ask you questions about your dizziness, including:

• when it occurs
• the situations where it occurs
• how severe your symptoms are
• which other symptoms occur with the dizziness

A doctor may also:

• check your eyes and ears
• perform a neurological exam
• observe your posture

If the doctor suspects certain causes, including carbon monoxide poisoning, heart conditions, or a stroke, they may recommend a CT scan, an MRI, or another imaging test. You may also need additional tests.

In some cases, a doctor can’t determine the cause of dizziness.

Balance tests

A doctor or specialist may perform tests to check your balance. These tests look for problems with your inner ear that may affect your balance or cause dizziness.

They include:

• computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) test, where you try to maintain your balance while standing on a moving platform
• Romberg test, which measures how well you keep your balance when standing with your eyes closed for 1 minute
• electronystagmography (ENG) test, which involves a doctor placing sensors around your eyes and measuring your eye movements
• videonystagmography (VNG) test, in which you’ll wear goggles and view light patterns so a doctor can measure your eye movements
• rotary test, where goggles record your eye movements while you sit in a rotating, motorized chair

Tests for vertigo

If you have vertigo, the doctor may perform the following tests:

• Dix-Hallpike maneuver, which involves turning your head and then switching quickly between lying down and sitting up so a doctor can check if you experience vertigo
• vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) test, in which a doctor looks for problems in your inner ear by playing sounds into earphones while you move your head and eyes
• video head impulse test, which records your eye movements as you try to keep your eyes on a target while moving your head

Hearing tests

Hearing tests may also be performed for dizziness and balance issues. These tests may include:

• otoacoustic emissions test, in which a small earphone plays sounds in your ear and a doctor measures the echoes that come back from your inner ear
• tympanometry, in which a doctor blows air into your ear to evaluate the movement of your eardrum
• electrocochleography, which tests the electrical activity of the cochlea (a hollow bone in the inner ear) using an electrode placed in the ear

Electrocochleography can help diagnose Meniere’s disease.

Cardiac tests

Tests that can help a doctor diagnose cardiac causes of dizziness include the:

• electrocardiogram (EKG), which they use to measure your heart’s electrical activity
• echocardiogram, which is a type of ultrasound that reveals how well your heart works
• stress test, where a doctor monitors your heart as you use a treadmill or perform another type of exercise

Follow these tips if you have recurrent bouts of dizziness:

• Sit or lie down immediately when you feel dizzy and rest until the dizziness goes away. This can prevent you from possibly losing your balance, which may lead to falling and serious injury.
• Use a cane or walker for stability, if necessary.
• Always use handrails when walking up or down stairs.
• Try activities that can help improve your balance, such as yoga and tai chi.
• Avoid moving or switching positions suddenly.
• Avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery if you frequently experience dizziness without warning.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. Using these substances may trigger dizziness or make it worse.
• Drink plenty of water and get sufficient sleep. Avoiding stressful situations may also be helpful.
• If you suspect a medication is causing your dizziness, talk with your doctor about lowering the dose or switching to another medication.
• Take an OTC medication such as meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) if you experience nausea along with dizziness. These medications may cause drowsiness, so do not use them when you need to be active or productive.
• Rest in a cool place and drink water if your dizziness is caused by overheating or dehydration.

Always speak with a doctor if you’re concerned about the frequency or severity of your dizziness.

Most cases of dizziness clear up on their own once you treat the underlying cause. In rare cases, dizziness can be a symptom of a more serious health problem.

Dizziness may result in complications related to fainting or a loss of balance. This can be especially dangerous when you’re driving, operating heavy machinery, or climbing a ladder.

Use caution if you feel an episode of dizziness coming on. If you become dizzy, stop driving immediately or find a safe place to steady yourself until the feeling passes.

Dizziness – NHS

It’s common to sometimes feel dizzy, lightheaded or off-balance, and it’s not usually serious. See a GP if you’re worried.

Check if you have dizziness

Dizziness includes feeling:

• off-balance
• giddy
• lightheaded or faint
• like you’re spinning or things around you are spinning (vertigo)

How you can treat dizziness yourself

Dizziness usually goes away on its own. But there are things you can do to take care of yourself while you’re feeling dizzy.

Do

• lie down until the dizziness passes, then get up slowly

• move slowly and carefully

• get plenty of rest

• drink plenty of fluids, especially water

• avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs

Don’t

• do not bend down suddenly

• do not get up suddenly after sitting or lying down

• do not do anything that could be dangerous while you’re dizzy, like driving, climbing a ladder or using heavy machinery

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

• you’re worried about your dizziness or vertigo
• it will not go away or it keeps coming back
• you’re finding it harder to hear or speak
• there’s ringing or other sounds in your ears (tinnitus)
• you have double vision, blurred vision or other changes in your eyesight
• your face, arms or legs feel numb or weak
• you have other symptoms like changes to your pulse, fainting or collapsing, headaches, feeling or being sick

Causes of dizziness

If you have other symptoms, this might give you an idea of the cause. Do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you’re worried.

Dizziness while you’re ill with something else

Dizziness often goes away after you’re treated for something else. For example:

• an ear infection
• migraine
• dehydration or heat exhaustion
• stress or anxiety
• low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) because of diabetes
• iron deficiency anaemia
• motion sickness

Dizziness for no obvious reason

Page last reviewed: 21 April 2023
Next review due: 21 April 2026

Dizziness – causes, prevention and treatment

Dizziness. A condition in which it seems to a person that the objects around him and (and) his own body are moving or rotating in a certain direction (systemic dizziness). But often a person cannot say exactly in which direction he and everything around him are moving (non-systemic dizziness). It happens that a person notes only his own instability and instability (staggering, trembling) of the space around him, a feeling of tilting his head, moving his legs and torso in one direction (more often upwards), and his head in the other (more often downwards in a supine position), feeling falling into the abyss. Dizziness occurs when the work of the organs of vision and the central nervous system is inconsistent, which is responsible for the sense of body position in space (kinesthetic) and the sense of balance (vestibular).

Symptoms and course

There are many reasons for dizziness. Treatment of dizziness in people can also occur in absolutely healthy people, for example, when looking down from a great height or when looking at clouds, if you stand near a high-rise building – then there is a feeling that it is not the clouds that are moving, but the building tilts. Dizziness occurs if you spin for a long time around its axis, and then stop.

Dizziness as a manifestation of the disease can be caused by a disease of the inner ear, when the vestibular (balance) apparatus is affected by an inflammatory or tumor process. Such patients usually suffer from inflammation of the inner ear (otitis media) for a long time, first they have hearing loss, and then dizziness appears. With a tumor lesion, seizures occur against the background of hearing loss, ringing in the ear, and attacks of dizziness gradually become more frequent and intensify.

Dizziness is very common with a sharp turn of the head to the side, when getting out of bed in the morning, tilting the head back (during wallpapering, hanging clothes, removing a book from the top shelf), with a long tilt of the head to the side or anteriorly (weeding, car repair, long sleep in the train or bus), sometimes when walking “throws to the side.” Such dizziness is caused by spasm or clamping of the vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the parts of the brain responsible for balance. Dizziness can occur with high or low blood pressure, poisoning, fluid loss (vomiting, diarrhea) or blood loss (bleeding). Accompanied by dizziness and anemia (lack of erythrocytes in the blood – red blood cells), high fever.

Recognition of dizziness is simple, based on the patient’s complaints, symptoms characteristic of dizziness treatment (drunk gait, patient’s attempts to grab surrounding objects, inability to stand or sit, frequent rhythmic twitching of the eyes (when looking to the side or up).

Treatment and first aid

If the patient is dizzy, lay him on his back so that his head, neck and shoulders lie on the pillow, because in this position the kink of the vertebral arteries is excluded. You should avoid turning your head to the side, you need to open the windows, ventilate the room, put a cold bandage on your forehead, you can slightly moisten it with vinegar. After measuring the pressure and temperature, take measures to normalize them, if the heart rate is more than 100 beats per minute or an irregular heartbeat has appeared, and if nausea and repeated (more than 3 times) vomiting have joined dizziness, you need to call an ambulance. The prognosis depends on the nature of the dizziness.

causes, symptoms and diagnosis, indications for visiting a doctor

There is nothing pleasant about feeling dizzy – we feel anxiety, we can get injured. What is dizziness and how can it be caused? Should I ignore it, as is often the case with dizziness in men, drink self-chosen pills, as women often do with dizziness, or immediately go to the doctor? How to help yourself during an attack? Let’s consider these and other questions in more detail.

Symptoms of dizziness

Vertigo (medical term “vertigo”) is disorientation in space. It seems to a person that he is rotating, moving, although in fact he is motionless. It happens the other way around – there is a feeling that everything around is spinning and moving – objects, trees, the ground under your feet.

Sensations can be different – from rotational movements, to the impression of instability, when everything around (or yourself) trembles, staggers, moves. The body or parts of it may appear to be moving. Describing their condition, many say that they feel like with a strong sea roll, riding on a swing.

Additional symptoms when dizzy:

• Feeling dizzy.
• An illusion of mobility of your body or surrounding objects is created.
• There is nausea, weakness, up to fainting.
• Cold sweat breaks out.
• Increased heart rate.
• Fear, panic appears.
• Numb legs or arms.
• Impaired hearing or disturbed by ringing in the ears.

Dizziness can be sharp for several seconds or longer – up to half an hour, an hour and a constant feeling. The frequency of seizures is also different – someone encounters them regularly under certain conditions, while someone has experienced only a couple of times in their lives. Some patients notice frequent patterns when dizziness occurs. It can be trips in transport, experiences.

Causes of dizziness

They can be conditionally divided into physiological – normal, which do not serve as a symptom of diseases, and situations when vertigo signals some kind of illness, failure in the body.

The main causes of dizziness in a healthy person:

• Sudden fright, when there is a sharp release of stress hormones.
• Unusual and abrupt movements, such as skydiving, rides, spinning in circles for a long time.

With dizziness, the body warns us that something is not right with it at:

• Strong alcohol intoxication.
• Rigid and unbalanced diets.
• Dehydration, heat stroke.
• Excessive physical exertion.
• Decreased sugar levels.
• Low blood pressure.
• Taking certain medications (this side effect is indicated in the instructions).

Among the causes of dizziness in women may be pregnancy and heavy menstruation.

But not everything is so harmless with vertigo. This symptom can be in a variety of diseases. There are about eighty of them in total.

Major diseases, conditions that cause dizziness:

• Pathologies of the ENT organs that affect the inner ear (it serves as an element of the vestibular apparatus) – otitis media, Meniere’s disease and others.
• Circulatory disorders of the brain, vascular pathologies – aneurysms, VVD, stroke.
• Tumors of any nature in the brain, neck, cranial structures.
• Degenerative changes in the brain – multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and others.
• Inflammatory and other diseases of the central nervous system – meningitis, encephalomyelitis and others.
• Cardiovascular diseases – infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, arterial hypertension and hypotension.
• Mental illness – phobias, neurotic syndrome.
• Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

What to do if you feel dizzy

During an attack, it is advisable not to turn your head to the side, not to make sudden movements, for example, try to lie down immediately. You can sit down, lie down gradually, focus on deep breathing. You can wash your face, make a cold compress on your face.

If vertigo recurs, attacks become more severe, there are additional symptoms – take action and consult a doctor

It is necessary to understand the symptom of what disease is dizziness.