Treating the underlying condition can relieve dizziness. But don't ignore bouts of dizziness, warns Dr. It's a real problem, particularly in the elderly, and in many cases, it can be prevented," he says. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.
Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Health news headlines can be deceiving. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? Vertigo can cause people to feel as though the environment around them is spinning or tilting. Vertigo occurs due to the development of problems in the inner ear.
Causes of vertigo can include:. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo develops when calcium carbonate particles collect in the inner ear canals.
This inner ear condition has no known cause, but some scientists believe that it can occur when fluid builds up in the ear canals. It can give rise to vertigo, a ringing or roaring sound in the ears, and hearing loss.
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 disrupt the structures of the inner ear, causing dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. 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 can cause a throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head. Sometimes, people experience dizziness before the onset of a migraine episode. Other neurologic symptoms, or auras, can precede the pain of a migraine headache. 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. 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:. A few examples are: Antibiotics. Blood pressure medicines. Medicines used to treat depression or anxiety. Pain medicines. Medicines used to treat cancer chemotherapy. These include: Passing out losing consciousness. Feeling very dizzy or light-headed, like you may pass out. Feeling very weak or having trouble standing. Not feeling alert or able to think clearly. You may be confused, restless, fearful, or unable to respond to questions.
Seek Care Now Based on your answers, you may need care right away. Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour. You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you. You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down. Seek Care Today Based on your answers, you may need care soon.
Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today. If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning. If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner. Call Now Based on your answers, you need emergency care.
Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care. Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks. If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment. If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. Home Treatment Light-headedness 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.
Protect yourself from injury if you feel light-headed: 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. It is not unusual to develop light-headedness during some viral illnesses , such as a cold or the flu. Resting will help prevent attacks of light-headedness. 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 illegal drugs. Do not get dehydrated , which can cause or increase light-headedness, 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. Symptoms to watch for during home treatment Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment: Nausea or vomiting persists or increases.
Fainting occurs. Your symptoms become more severe or frequent. Prevention You may be able to prevent light-headedness caused by orthostatic hypotension by taking your time.
Get up slowly from your bed or chair. Sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before standing. Sit up or stand up slowly to avoid sudden changes in blood flow to your head that can make you feel light-headed. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions: What is your major symptom, light-headedness or vertigo? How long have you had your symptoms? Do they come and go, or are they always present? What were you doing when your symptoms started?
How often do you experience dizziness? What makes your symptoms better or worse? Do you have other symptoms that may be related to your major symptom? Symptoms may include: Changes in vision, such as blurred or double vision, halos, or spots. Chest pain. Fainting or falling. Heart palpitations , irregular heartbeat, or an unusually slow or fast heart rate.
Numbness or tingling. Weakness or changes in your ability to stand or walk. Ringing in the ears tinnitus or loss of hearing.
Shortness of breath or a feeling of suffocation. What medicines do you take? Make a list of both prescription and non-prescription medicines you use. Page last reviewed: 24 April Next review due: 24 April 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.
Do lie down until 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.
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:.
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