Dizziness has many possible causes, which may relate to a person’s external environment, the medications they take, or an underlying condition.
Dizziness refers to a range of sensations, such as feeling as though the room is spinning, lightheadedness, and feeling physically unsteady.
Recurring dizziness or severe dizzy spells can significantly interfere with a person’s life. It rarely indicates a medical emergency, however. People can experience dizziness after:
- spinning around quickly
- standing or sitting up too fast
- engaging in high-intensity exercise
Usually, people will be able to identify the cause of their dizziness. However, this symptom may occur unexpectedly or without any clear reason.
The causes of dizziness can range from temporary physical changes to more serious underlying medical conditions, some of which we will detail below.
Many people may use the terms “vertigo” and “dizziness” interchangeably. Although they both cause similar sensations, they are slightly different.
When someone feels dizzy, they can feel woozy or disoriented. Vertigo, on the other hand, refers to the artificial sensation of movement. Vertigo
Vertigo occurs due to the development of problems in the inner ear. Causes of vertigo can include:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV develops when calcium carbonate particles collect in the inner ear canals.
These canals send information about the body’s position and movements to the brain, but the presence of the calcium particles causes the brain to misread the information.
Ménière’s disease
This inner ear condition has no known cause, but some scientists believe that it can occur when fluid builds up in the ear canals.
Ménière’s disease can develop suddenly and without any apparent cause. It can give rise to vertigo, a ringing or roaring sound in the ears, and hearing loss.
Labyrinthitis
Infections can cause inflammation in the inner ear, or labyrinth. Labyrinthitis tends to develop after a viral infection, such as a cold or flu.
Antiviral and antihistamine medications can effectively treat labyrinthitis. However, parts of the inner ear may sustain permanent damage as a result of this condition.
Repetitive motion from being in a vehicle, such as a car, airplane, or boat, can send multiple and mixed signals to the brain, causing dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. People call this “motion sickness” or “seasickness.”
Being pregnant or taking certain medications can increase a person’s sensitivity to motion and increase their risk of experiencing motion sickness. The symptoms of motion sickness usually subside away once the person sets foot on solid ground.
A migraine is a type of recurring headache that in addition to causing a throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head, may also cause dizziness.
In particular, a vestibular migraine is a type of migraine that often causes episodes of dizziness. As such, some people may also refer to it as migraine associated vertigo. Potential triggers of vestibular migraine can include stress, dehydration, poor sleep, visual stimuli, certain foods, and hormonal changes.
A sharp drop in blood pressure can cause a brief sensation of lightheadedness. Blood pressure changes can occur after sitting or standing up too quickly.
Other conditions that can cause blood pressure changes include:
- dehydration
- blood loss
- severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis
- pregnancy
Taking certain medications, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, or antidepressants, can also cause changes in blood pressure.
Conditions that affect the cardiovascular system, such as the buildup of plaque in the arteries and congestive heart failure, can cause dizziness. People may experience dizziness or feel lightheaded before or after a heart attack or stroke.
If a person has cardiovascular disease, they will likely experience other signs and symptoms, including:
- irregular heartbeat
- shortness of breath
- discomfort or tightness in the chest
- a persistent cough
- excess fluid in the arms, legs, or feet
- fatigue
- nausea, vomiting, or both
Iron deficiency can result in a condition called anemia, in which the body does not have enough oxygen-rich blood.
Anemia can cause the following symptoms:
- dizziness
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- fatigue
Making appropriate dietary changes and taking iron supplements can help treat mild forms of iron-deficiency anemia. People who have a severe iron deficiency may require a blood transfusion.
Read on to learn more about how to stop dizziness due to iron deficiency anemia.
Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose, or blood sugar, falls below the normal levels. Causes of hypoglycemia include:
Symptoms of hypoglycemia can appear suddenly and vary in severity. A few of these symptoms include:
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- loss of balance
- fatigue
- headache
- hunger
- mood changes
- difficulty concentrating
- irregular heartbeat
Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) refers to any condition wherein the immune system mistakenly attacks the inner ear. AIED can cause hearing loss in one or both ears.
Other symptoms of AIED include:
- dizziness
- tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
- loss of balance or coordination
AIED causes nonspecific symptoms that are similar to those of an ear infection. For doctors to accurately diagnose AIED, they need to take a full medical history, perform a physical examination, and track any additional symptoms.
People who have AIED may develop another autoimmune disease that affects the entire body.
Long-term or chronic stress may contribute to the development of significant health problems, such as depression, anxiety, heart disease, diabetes, or immune dysfunction.
During the stress response, the brain releases hormones that affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
These hormones narrow the blood vessels, raise the heart rate, and cause rapid, shallow breathing. These responses can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness.
In addition to dizziness, other symptoms of stress include:
- sweating
- trembling or shaking
- headaches
- chest pain
- rapid heartbeat
- difficulty sleeping
- difficulty concentrating
- nausea
Dizziness is a common symptom of anxiety. However, the exact relationship between the two varies among people.
Some people may experience anxiety attacks that trigger dizziness, while others might have a sudden onset of dizziness that triggers an anxiety attack.
Stressful events, such as an exam or a challenging emotional situation, can trigger anxiety attacks. People may feel dizzy, disoriented, and nauseous during an anxiety attack.
Other symptoms of anxiety include:
- worry
- restlessness or fidgeting
- difficulty concentrating
- sleep problems
- mood changes
- irritability
- rapid heart rate
- headache
- sweating
- dry mouth
In addition to the above, many other serious conditions can result in dizziness. This can include conditions that affect the brain, such as stroke, brain tumors, and vertbrobasilar circulatory disorders. It can also be a symptom of poisoning.
Dizziness may indicate a more serious underlying medical condition when it occurs alongside symptoms such as:
- double vision
- vomiting
- fever
- numbness
- difficulty moving or controlling the arms or legs
- headache
- chest pain
- loss of consciousness
Experiencing an episode of sudden or severe dizziness can be alarming. However, the dizziness usually resolves on its own and does not require emergency medical attention in many cases. Although, it is important to note that if dizziness persists, it may indicate a serious condition that requires immediate attention.
Dizziness is a nonspecific symptom that can indicate an underlying medical condition, such as anxiety, stress, or low blood sugar. People should consult their healthcare provider if they experience severe or recurring dizziness.