Dizziness is a condition that makes a person feel as if the world is spinning, dizzy, and has difficulty standing. External factors, certain medications, and certain diseases can cause dizziness. To fully treat dizziness, the factors that cause this condition may also need to be identified. In cases where this cannot be determined, although the dizziness is temporarily relieved, it is likely to recur.
7 Common Causes of Dizziness
- Migraine: Migraines can present in many different ways, but dizziness is definitely on the list of possible symptoms. If your headache includes dizziness, it may be more than just a tension headache. You should discuss this symptom with your primary care physician and see a neurologist for a migraine evaluation.
- Inner ear infection or disorder: Dizziness can be caused by ear infections and diseases that cause structural abnormalities, such as tumors. Other conditions that can cause dizziness include labyrinthitis, a viral or bacterial infection that causes inflammation in the inner ear, and a disorder called Ménière’s disease.
- Medication side effects: Some medications can cause dizziness as a side effect, and often all that is needed is a dosage adjustment or a change to a different medication.
- Anxiety: Anxiety is a condition that can cause physical symptoms. However, before anxiety is diagnosed as a cause of dizziness, health care providers must rule out other physical causes. Often, treating anxiety with psychotherapy or medication can resolve dizziness.
- Dehydration: Patients with dizziness are often surprised to learn that dehydration can be the cause, and the only treatment needed is to drink more water. Common signs include less frequent urination or dark urine, dry skin is another common symptom of dehydration.
- Head injury/concussion: Dizziness is a common symptom of a concussion or head injury. If a patient has suffered a head injury that results in dizziness, it is important to be evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out any serious complications as soon as possible. Prompt evaluation leads to better treatment, recovery, and prevention of further injury.
- Autoimmune disorders: Dizziness can be a symptom of a number of autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, Lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and many others.
When can dizziness become serious?
Dizziness alone is usually not a cause for concern, especially if it goes away after a few minutes. However, if you have additional symptoms or faint, you should talk to your doctor.
If you have vomiting, double vision, or difficulty using your arms or legs, you should seek immediate medical attention.
In fact, dizziness, along with shortness of breath, back pain, and fainting, are more common signs of a heart attack in women than chest pain.
Other signs that your dizziness may be a sign of something more serious:
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty walking
- Falling
- Stiff neck
- Signs of a stroke.
Tips for temporary dizziness relief
Temporary dizziness relief requires quickly identifying the cause and taking appropriate measures to help stabilize the sensation and keep the person experiencing this condition safe.
Here are some effective and easy-to-apply ways to temporarily relieve dizziness:
1. Sit or lie down immediately
Dizziness often causes you to lose your balance and fall easily. If you feel dizzy or are feeling lightheaded, sit or lie down immediately, preferably on your side or back in a quiet place. This helps stabilize your blood pressure and avoid injury from falling.
2. Take deep, slow breaths
Sometimes, dizziness can be caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain or anxiety, so deep breathing can help calm the nerves and increase the amount of oxygen circulating to the brain. This method is especially effective if the dizziness is related to stress or panic.
3. Drink water
Dehydration is a common cause of dizziness, especially in older adults, people who are active outdoors, or after diarrhea. If you feel thirsty, have dry lips, or have dark urine, drink a glass of water or electrolyte solution.
Note: Avoid drinking coffee, strong tea, or alcohol, as they can cause further dehydration.
4. Focus your eyes on a fixed point
If you feel like everything around you is spinning (rotational vertigo), focusing your eyes on a fixed point on the wall or ceiling can help your brain orient and stabilize the sensation. This is especially effective for vestibular vertigo.
5. Eat a snack if you are hungry or have low blood sugar
Hypoglycemia can cause dizziness, fatigue, shaky hands, or sweating. If you have skipped a meal or have been active without eating, eat a carbohydrate-rich snack such as crackers, fruit, or milk. However, avoid eating too much at once, which can cause blood to rush to the digestive system and make the symptoms worse.
6. Avoid bright lights and noise
While experiencing dizziness, the brain and inner ear are very sensitive to external stimuli. Turn off the lights, close the curtains, and avoid loud noises to avoid making the condition worse.
7. Use fresh ginger or ginger tea
Ginger has the ability to soothe the stomach and support blood circulation, thereby helping to reduce dizziness in some cases such as motion sickness or digestive disorders. Do not use too much ginger if you have low blood pressure.
8. Avoid sudden movements
Rapid movements such as standing up quickly, turning your head sharply, bending down suddenly can make you feel more dizzy. Move slowly, with support, and wait a few seconds after each movement to allow your body to adapt.
