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Dizziness refers to a range of sensations, such as feeling as though the room is spinning, lightheadedness, and feeling physically unsteady. Dizziness has many possible causes, which may relate to a person’s external environment, the medications they take, or an underlying condition.
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.
Some common reasons for feeling dizzy include migraine episodes, low blood pressure, motion sickness, and stress. Resolving the underlying cause will usually improve the symptoms. Many people use the terms “vertigo” and “dizziness” interchangeably.
Although these conditions create 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 can cause people to feel as though the environment around them is spinning or tilting.
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. 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 can cause a throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head. The American Migraine Foundation estimate that 30–50% of people will experience dizziness during a migraine episode.
Sometimes, people experience dizziness before the onset of a migraine episode. Other neurologic symptoms, or auras, can precede the pain of a migraine headache. Auras can affect a person’s vision, speech, and motor control.
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.
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
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
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.
Other symptoms of stress include:
sweating
trembling or shaking
headaches
chest pain
rapid heartbeat
difficulty sleeping
difficulty concentrating
nausea