Why does dizziness occur

Causes of dizziness and vertigo A wide range of conditions and diseases can cause dizziness, including: inner ear problems — disorders of the inner ear account for about half of all cases of persistent ongoing dizziness.

Very rarely, other causes of dizziness can include stroke or other brain diseases other conditions — some cases of dizziness are due to underlying medical conditions such as low blood pressure , infection, some heart problems such as cardiac arrhythmias and hypoglycaemia low blood sugar. Medications that are used to treat conditions such as epilepsy, coronary heart disease and high blood pressure can also cause dizziness in some people unknown causes — although a cause may not be found in some people, it does not necessarily mean that these people cannot be helped by the appropriate treatment.

Treatment of dizziness and vertigo Treatment depends on what your doctor thinks is causing your dizziness. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all anxiety. Related information.

Support groups Meniere's Australia? Dizziness refers to a range of sensations, such as feeling as though the room is spinning, lightheadedness, and feeling physically unsteady. It rarely indicates a medical emergency, however. People can experience dizziness after:. 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. When someone feels dizzy, they can feel woozy or disoriented. Vertigo, on the other hand, refers to the artificial sensation of movement.

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. Vertigo is characterized by a spinning sensation, like the room is moving. Disequilibrium is a loss of balance or equilibrium. True dizziness is the feeling of lightheadedness or nearly fainting. Occasional dizziness is not something to worry about. Common causes of dizziness include a migraine, medications, and alcohol.

It can also be caused by a problem in the inner ear, where balance is regulated. Dizziness is often a result of vertigo as well. The most common cause of vertigo and vertigo-related dizziness is benign positional vertigo BPV. This causes short-term dizziness when someone changes positions quickly, such as sitting up in bed after lying down. This causes fluid to build up in the ear with associated ear fullness, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

Another possible cause for dizziness and vertigo is an acoustic neuroma. This is a noncancerous tumor that forms on the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. In rare cases, dizziness could be caused by multiple sclerosis , a stroke, a malignant tumor, or another brain disorder. Sometimes, dizziness is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or fainting. Seek emergency medical help if you have these symptoms for extended periods. You should call your doctor if you continue to have repeated bouts of dizziness.

You should also notify your doctor immediately if you experience sudden dizziness along with:. Your doctor can narrow down the cause of dizziness and any other symptoms by performing a physical examination. 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, and 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, or allergies. 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 Labyrinthitis, a viral infection of the inner ear that usually follows a cold or flu Meniere disease, a common inner ear problem 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.