Dizziness

Dizziness is a term that is often used to describe 2 different symptoms: lightheadedness and vertigo.

Lightheadedness is a feeling that you might faint.

Vertigo is a feeling that you are spinning or moving, or that the world is spinning around you. Vertigo-associated disorders is a related topic.

Vertigo-associated disorders

Vertigo is a sensation of motion or spinning that is often described as dizziness. Vertigo is not the same as being lightheaded. People with vertig...

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Considerations

Most causes of dizziness are not serious, and they either quickly get better on their own or are easy to treat.

Causes

Lightheadedness occurs when your brain does not get enough blood. This may occur if:

• You have a sudden drop in blood pressure.
• Your body does not have enough water (is dehydrated) because of vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or other conditions.
• You get up too quickly after sitting or lying down (this is more common in older people).

Lightheadedness may also occur if you have the flu, low blood sugar, a cold, allergies, or take medicines that may lower your blood pressure.

Flu

The flu (influenza) is a viral respiratory illness that causes fever, chills, runny nose, body aches, and cough. It spreads easily from person to pe...

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Low blood sugar

Low blood sugar is a condition that occurs when the body's blood sugar (glucose) decreases and is too low. Blood sugar below 70 mg/dL (3. 9 mmol/L) i...

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More serious conditions that can lead to lightheadedness include:

• Heart problems, such as a heart attack or abnormal heart beat
• Stroke
• Bleeding inside the body
• Shock (extreme drop in blood pressure)

If any of these serious disorders are present, you will usually also have symptoms like chest pain, a feeling of a racing heart, loss of speech, change in vision, or other symptoms.

Vertigo may be due to:

• Benign positional vertigo, a spinning feeling that occurs when you move your head

  Benign positional vertigo

  Benign positional vertigo is the most common type of vertigo. Vertigo is the feeling that you are spinning or that everything is spinning around you...

  

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• Labyrinthitis, a viral infection of the inner ear that usually follows a cold or flu

  Labyrinthitis

  Labyrinthitis is irritation and swelling of the inner ear. It can cause vertigo and hearing loss.

  

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• Meniere disease, a common inner ear problem

  Meniere disease

  Ménière disease is an inner ear disorder that affects balance and hearing.

  

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Other causes of lightheadedness or vertigo may include:

• Use of certain medicines
• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis
• Seizures
• Brain tumor
• Bleeding in the brain

Home Care

If you tend to get lightheaded when you stand up:

• Avoid sudden changes in posture.
• Get up from a lying position slowly, and stay seated for a few moments before standing.
• When standing, make sure you have something to hold on to.

If you have vertigo, the following tips can help prevent your symptoms from becoming worse:

• Keep still and rest when symptoms occur.
• Avoid sudden movements or position changes.
• Slowly increase activity.
• You may need a cane or other help walking when you have a loss of balance during a vertigo attack.
• Avoid bright lights, TV, and reading during vertigo attacks because they may make symptoms worse.

Avoid activities such as driving, operating heavy machinery, and climbing until 1 week after your symptoms disappear. A sudden dizzy spell during these activities can be dangerous.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or go to an emergency room if you are dizzy and have:

• A head injury
• Fever over 101°F (38.3°C), headache, or very stiff neck
• Seizures
• Trouble keeping fluids down
• Chest pain
• Irregular heart rate (heart is skipping beats)
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Inability to move an arm or leg
• Change in vision or speech
• Fainting and loss of alertness for more than a few minutes

Contact your health care provider for an appointment if you have:

• Dizziness for the first time
• New or worsening symptoms
• Dizziness after taking medicine
• Hearing loss

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

• When did your dizziness begin?
• Does your dizziness occur or get worse when you move?
• What other symptoms occur when you feel dizzy?
• Are you always dizzy or does the dizziness come and go?
• How long does the dizziness last?
• Were you sick with a cold, flu, or other illness before the dizziness began?
• Do you have a lot of stress or anxiety?

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood pressure reading
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

  ECG

  An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

  

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• Hearing tests
• Balance testing (ENG)

  ENG

  Electronystagmography is a test that looks at eye movements to see how well nerves in the brain are working. These nerves are:Vestibular nerve (eigh...

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• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Your provider may prescribe medicines to help you feel better, including:

• Antihistamines
• Sedatives
• Anti-nausea medicine

Surgery may be needed if you have Meniere disease.