Dizziness – what’s causing it?

Feeling off-balance or unsteady on your feet can be worrying, but it’s not usually a sign of anything serious. Find out why you might be feeling dizzy and what can help.

What does it feel like?

What are the causes of dizziness and who’s affected?

Self-care tips

When to see a doctor 

Diagnosing and treating dizziness

Can you prevent dizziness?

Dizziness is a sensation that can make you feel off balance like you’re about to fall over, and faint, weak, or wobbly. You may feel this when you stand up or move your head. Sometimes it goes away by itself but in other cases it may be a sign of a health condition, which needs treating.

Feeling dizzy is a common symptom, and can be due to a number of reasons from health conditions such as vertigo to lifestyle factors such as stress.

It can be difficult to describe, but the feeling of dizziness usually fits into 1 of 2 categories – lightheadedness, or a feeling that your surroundings are spinning (vertigo). 

While feeling dizzy is common and not often a sign of anything serious, get medical help if you often have dizzy spells.


## What does it feel like?

If you’re experiencing dizziness, you might feel:

- off-balance or unsteady on your feet
- lightheaded or faint (this may be because your brain isn’t getting enough blood) 
- giddy
- nauseous (feeling sick)
- like you’re floating, woozy or heavy-headed
- a sensation of spinning, or that things around you are spinning (vertigo)
- disoriented or confused.

These feelings may be triggered (or worsened) by things like walking, standing up suddenly, or moving your head, and they might happen constantly, or come and go. 

You might also notice other symptoms alongside your dizziness, such as: 

- fatigue 
- headaches
- vomiting (being sick) 
- difficulty hearing
- a loss of coordination ([ataxia](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/ataxia))
- eye movements that aren’t normal for you, such as flitting of the eyes (nystagmus)
- blurry vision
- ringing in the ears ([tinnitus](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/tinnitus))
- not being able to see clearly when moving, like when reading a sign while walking or driving
- finding it hard to concentrate.


Get help with this

## What are the causes of dizziness and who’s affected?

How dizziness makes you feel, and any symptoms you notice alongside it, can help pinpoint its cause.

But there are many reasons why you might feel dizzy, so it can be difficult to identify what’s really going on. 

Some of the most common causes of dizziness include: 

- [low blood pressure](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/blood-pressure-low)
- inner ear problems leading to [vertigo](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/vertigo)  – when your brain gets signals from your inner ear but they don't match up with the signals that your eyes and sensory nerves get. It means your brain doesn’t process the information in the right way, causing you to feel unstable and dizzy
- [migraines](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/migraine)
- [labyrinthitis (inner ear infection)](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/labyrinthitis) 
- [concussion (head injury) ](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/concussion)
- [motion sickness](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/motion-sickness)
- side-effects or reactions to medicine
- an ear infection
- a viral infection
- [anxiety](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/anxiety) or stress
- anemia, including [iron deficiency anemia](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/anaemia-iron-deficiency)
- being dehydrated or from heat exhaustion
- low blood sugar ([hypoglycaemia](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/hypoglycaemia)) because of [diabetes](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/diabetes).

Anyone can get dizzy from time to time, but you may be more likely to feel it if you: 

- __are an older adult__ – the likelihood of having certain health conditions that may cause dizziness is higher, and you may be more likely to take medicines that trigger dizziness too
- __have experienced dizziness before.__


## Self-care tips

Most cases of dizziness will get better on their own, but you can help manage your symptoms by: 

- lying down when you feel dizzy, until it goes away
- moving slowly and avoiding sudden movements when you get up 
- avoiding coffee, drugs, alcohol and smoking
- drinking plenty of fluids, especially water
- avoiding anything that may make your symptoms worse, such as bright lights on your TV, your phone, computer or when reading, especially if you have [vertigo ](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/vertigo)
- using a cane or walking stick for balance, if you need it.

You’ll also need to avoid taking part in any activity that could be dangerous, such as driving, bending down suddenly, climbing, or using machinery.


## When to see a doctor 
You should see a doctor about dizziness if: 

- it won’t go away or keeps coming back
- you're worried about it, or worried about vertigo
- your arms, face or legs feel numb or weak
- you hear ringing, or other sounds, in your ears (tinnitus)
- you have [double vision](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/double-vision), blurred vision or notice any changes to your eyesight
- you’re finding it hard to talk or hear
- you have other symptoms like heart rate changes, you’re fainting or collapsing, you’re getting headaches, or feeling or being sick.


## Diagnosing and treating dizziness

Finding the cause for your dizziness can be difficult. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, including when they happen and for how long. They may also recommend specific tests, such as an MRI, a CT scan, blood tests, or hearing and balance tests. 

If a medical condition is to blame for your symptoms, treatment will focus on managing that condition. You may be offered: 

- __medications__ – such a diuretic for [Ménière's disease](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/menieres-disease); prescription antihistamines and anticholinergics for vertigo, dizziness and upset stomach symptoms; anti-anxiety medications like diazepam and alprazolam for anxiety-related dizziness; or preventive medicine for migraines, for example 
- __therapy__ – head position movements (known as canalith repositioning) can be helpful for some types of vertigo; balance therapy (called vestibular rehabilitation) can make your balance system less sensitive to motion; and talk therapy can improve symptoms if your dizziness is caused by anxiety
- __procedures or surgery__ – if your dizziness is ear-related and it’s severe, you might need an injection or surgery, but this is rare.


## Can you prevent dizziness?

You can’t always stop yourself from feeling dizzy, but you can reduce the likelihood of it happening by: 

- staying hydrated
- avoiding fast and sudden movements
- getting enough rest
- telling your doctor if you think any of your medicines are causing your symptoms.


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References

Amelia Glean

Jo Wheatley

Dr Emily Blount

Article information

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