Feeling Dizzy? What it Means and What to do About it

Dizziness affects most people at some time in their lives. For some, it is a temporary experience, while others have multiple episodes.

Not surprisingly, experiencing dizziness puts you at a higher risk for falling, so what’s going on, and what can you do to recover or prevent another episode in the future?

Most of the time, dizziness doesn’t mean something is seriously wrong, however, it’s important to see a doctor if you also experience symptoms such as continued vomiting; paralysis; sudden, severe headache; difficulty breathing; slurred speech or chest pain.

Knowing how to accurately describe your symptoms can help narrow down the root cause. The Vestibular Disorders Association explains the following distinctions:

“Dizziness is a sensation of light-headedness, faintness, or unsteadiness. Unlike dizziness, vertigo has a rotational, spinning component, and is the perception of movement, either of the self or surrounding objects. Disequilibrium simply means unsteadiness, imbalance, or loss of equilibrium that is often accompanied by spatial disorientation.”

To maintain balance, the brain first processes inputs from 3 main systems: vision, proprioception (touch sensors on the feet and the body), and vestibular (inner ear).

You have probably experienced spatial disorientation when seated in a stationary car and the car in the next lane moves forward. The eyes tell the brain you are moving backward, but the spatial sensors on the body and the inner ear register no such movement and this conflicting information in the brain is uncomfortable, but is usually resolved quickly.

By default, the brain trusts the signals from the vestibular system over other inputs, so when there is a problem with the inner ear, you feel the mismatched information as dizziness or vertigo as the brain cannot resolve conflicting information it’s getting.

There is sometimes a simple explanation for dizziness, check none of these apply first:

  • Dehydration

  • Hunger

  • Fatigue (especially resulting from lack of sleep)

  • Starting a new medication (this is also worth mentioning to your doctor or pharmacist)

  • Taking multiple medications (ask your pharmacist to check for interactions)

  • Certain types of medications, including herbal supplements, can cause unsteadiness or dizziness (check the label or search the drugs.com database)

  • New eyeglass prescription or cataracts

  • Virus

  • Ear infection

  • Arthritis

  • Neuropathy (loss of feeling, nerve damage, especially to the feet)

  • Migraine

  • Allergic reaction

  • Alcohol/hangover

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common reason for vertigo (sometimes called ‘crystals in the ear’). It is caused by the breakdown of some of the tiny hairs in the inner ear that detect gravity. It can be resolved by visiting a specialist who will manipulate your head in various directions to clear the hair debris. The condition can reoccur in which case the treatment will need to be redone also.

A number of chronic conditions and diseases including diabetes, hypertension, MS and Parkinson’s can cause light-headedness and dizziness so proper management of the condition is vital. Regular checkups mean you can discuss your symptoms with your doctor, and offer the chance to update the type and dosage of your medications, which will help your overall health and can help to reduce any dizziness itself.

Other causes for dizziness can include more serious conditions that restrict blood flow to the brain, or put pressure on the inner ear and so it’s important to seek help from your doctor. Because disruption in many parts of the body can result in dizziness, it can take time and be frustrating to get to a final diagnosis. Help yourself by being clear about how long you’ve felt the symptoms, if you can identify any triggers and anything you’ve managed to rule out, based on the list above.

Further information on vestibular disorders specifically can be found at the Vestibular Disorders Association and general dizziness at the Mayo Clinic.

The information in this post is meant as a general summary and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition, nor is it a comprehensive guide on the subject. Please see a doctor if you suffer from dizziness or are concerned about any aspect of your health.

Balance & Aging, Sensory systemszibriodizziness, Vestibular, Balance