Dizziness is a term used to describe when you are feeling woozy, or faint. Vertigo, a symptom of dizziness, is the feeling that the room is spinning around you. When people experience dizziness, it may be a symptom showing the balance mechanism in your inner ear is not working properly.
Dizziness may be attributed to a wide variety of causes. Sometimes health care practitioners find no specific diagnosis for the affected individual, but causes of dizziness that are dangerous should not be excluded, for example
high blood pressure, usually extremely high, causing damage to the brain,
low blood pressure, which can have multiple causes including diseases of the heart, bleeding disorders that cause anemia, and adverse reactions to medications
Dizziness caused by heart disease include
heart attack, arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythms), heart rate too fast, heart rate too slow, and/or
weakened, aged, or diseased heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), toxins or drugs that affect the rate or force of the contractions of the heart.
Causes of dizziness from brain diseases or conditions include
stroke, tumor, headaches, migraines, hyperventilation,
fainting (syncope) is a loss of blood supply to the brain that causes a loss of consciousness, typically after loss of blood output by the heart,
many things may trigger the infamous "common faint" - emotions, rapidly assuming an upright position, even urination,
dementia includes any illness causing confusion or an altered state of mind, such as medications, drugs, or alcohol.
Dizziness caused by medications (Almost all medications list dizziness as a possible side effect.) Examples include
blood pressure medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, pain relievers, and some antibiotics,
diuretics, causing dehydration, blood electrolyte changes, heart effects, or other direct side effects.
Dizziness caused by metabolic disorders, for example
hypoxia (low blood oxygen),
low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) including an insulin reaction, and/or
dehydration (from many causes).
Dizziness and aging, for example
reduced capacity for exercise or activity,
reduced ability for the blood circulation to compensate for quickly assuming an upright position (orthostatic hypotension),
hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) causing a decreased blood supply to the brain, heart, and other organs,
weakness, deconditioning,
neuropathy (a progressive dysfunction of the nerves from many illnesses, especially diabetes), and
dizziness in women can also occur as a symptom of menopause.
Other illness that may cause dizziness include
internal bleeding or hemorrhage, which may go unnoticed,
anemia (low red blood cell count),
prolonged bed rest, causing weakness, loss of ability to compensate for assuming an upright position,
infections,
endocrine diseases in which hormone-producing organs such as the thyroid, adrenal glands, and pituitary gland affect hydration, salt balance, and function of other organs, and/or
allergies may cause wheezing or low blood pressure, or can trigger sinusitis, which can result in dizziness.
Psychiatric reasons for dizziness include
depression, anxiety, or panic disorder,
hyperventilation is from breathing too fast or too deeply, usually from anxiety (This may not be apparent to the patient or to observers. Associated hand and foot cramping increase anxiety and perpetuate a cycle.), and
somatization is the conversion of a mental illness, such as anxiety or depression, into physical symptoms. (Often, the patient may be unaware of the underlying mental illness and insist that they have only physical complaints.)
Lightheadedness usually is not a cause for concern unless it is severe, does not go away, or occurs with other symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat or fainting. Lightheadedness can lead to falls and other injuries. Protect yourself from injury if you feel lightheaded:
Lie down for a minute or two. This will allow more blood to flow to your brain. After lying down, sit up slowly and remain sitting for 1 to 2 minutes before slowly standing up.
Rest. It is not unusual to develop lightheadedness during some viral illnesses, such as a cold or the flu. Resting will help prevent attacks of lightheadedness.
Do not drive a motor vehicle, operate equipment, or climb on a ladder while you are dizzy.
Do not use substances that can affect your circulation, including caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs that are classified as illegal.
Do not get dehydrated, which can cause or increase lightheadedness, when you have an illness that causes diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever. Drink more fluids, especially water. Other fluids are also helpful, such as fruit juice mixed to half-strength with water, rehydration drinks, weak tea with sugar, clear broth, and gelatin dessert. If you have another medical condition, such as kidney disease or heart disease, that limits the amount of fluids you are allowed to have, do not drink more than this amount without first talking to your doctor.
If you have vertigo:
Do not lie flat on your back. Prop yourself up slightly to relieve the spinning sensation.
Move slowly to avoid the risk of falling.
Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:
Nausea or vomiting develops or increases.
Moderate to severe dehydration develops.
Fainting occurs.
Your symptoms do not improve in 1 week with the use of home treatment.
Your symptoms become more severe or frequent.