Dizziness
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Dizziness
Dizziness multiple times
Off-balance like floating
Spinning feeling
A sense of motion or spinning (vertigo)
Feeling faint
Dizzy when standing up
Dizzy in the morning
Dizziness when looking up
Lightheadedness when I am standing
Ringing in the ears and dizziness
Dizziness after straining my muscles
About the Symptom
Dizziness is a non-specific term that describes a range of sensations, such as feeling faint, wobbly, unsteady, woozy, or like the ground or surroundings are moving when in reality they are not.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Fainting with loss of consciousness
- Sickly/pale appearance
- Peripheral cyanosis
- double vision
- Neck pain / stiffness
- Unexplained weight loss of 5% or more in 1 month
- Seizure attack
- Recent weight loss
- Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)
- Fever
- Numbness of lower limbs
- Photophobia
- Difficulty urinating
Possible Causes
Generally, Dizziness can be related to:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo occurs when calcium crystals become trapped in the semicircular canals, a part of the inner ear that controls balance. Usually, only one ear is affected. It is characterized by sudden vertigo (a feeling of instability and the room spinning) due to abrupt changes in head position.
- Vestibular Neuritis
Vestibular neuritis is inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which connects the inner ear to the brain and maintains balance sensation. Typical symptoms of vestibular neuritis include sudden dizziness, balance/walking problems, nausea, and vomiting. The disorder is usually caused by a viral infection of the inner ear, or appear following a viral infection outside the ear (e.g., common cold or influenza). Most epiodes resolve by a few weeks, although vague balance problems may persist for a few months.
- Cerebellar Tumor
These tumors are tumor found in the cerebellum, which is located in the back of the brain. They can cause increased intracranial pressure and headache, and difficulties with balance or coordination. They can arise from brain cells or they may have spread from a tumor found in another part of the body.
- Meniere's Disease
- Orthostatic Dysregulation
- Concussion
- Perilymph Fistula
- Anemia
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Dizziness may be related to these serious diseases:
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning typically occurs from inhaling carbon monoxide (CO) gas at high levels. This gas can be caused by vehicle exhaust or gas leaks in a home or worksite. Large exposures can result in loss of consciousness, arrhythmias, seizures, or death.
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you feel dizzy?
- Have you ever experienced dizziness with ringing in the ears or deafness?
- When did you first notice the dizziness?
- How often do you experience dizziness?
- How long do your episodes of dizziness last?
Reviewed By:
Benjamin Kummer, MD (Neurology)
Dr Kummer is Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), with joint appointment in Digital and Technology Partners (DTP) at the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) as Director of Clinical Informatics in Neurology. As a triple-board certified practicing stroke neurologist and informaticist, he has successfully improved clinical operations at the point of care by acting as a central liaison between clinical neurology faculty and DTP teams to implement targeted EHR configuration changes and workflows, as well as providing subject matter expertise on health information technology projects across MSHS. | Dr Kummer also has several years’ experience building and implementing several informatics tools, presenting scientific posters, and generating a body of peer-reviewed work in “clinical neuro-informatics” – i.e., the intersection of clinical neurology, digital health, and informatics – much of which is centered on digital/tele-health, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He has spearheaded the Clinical Neuro-Informatics Center in the Department of Neurology at ISMMS, a new research institute that seeks to establish the field of clinical neuro-informatics and disseminate knowledge to the neurological community on the effects and benefits of clinical informatics tools at the point of care.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Content updated on Jan 29, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Unsteadiness/dizziness
- I had dizziness when I woke up in the morning and turned over for the first time
- Improvement in dizziness also leads to improvement in auditory symptoms
- When I am dizzy, it is hard to hear the surrounding sounds
- Heard a "pop" in the ear, before the symptoms started
- Dizziness when standing for long periods of time
- When I close my eyes the dizziness gets worse
- Dizziness when tilting head backward
- Feeling floating when I am standing
- Feel off balance like I am floating
- Feel off-balance like I am floating
- Blowing my nose causes dizziness
- Feel like I'm spinning around
- Vertigo multiple times a day
- May be fainting
See full list
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FAQs
Q.
Dizzy? Why Your Body Reacts to Hydrochlorothiazide & Medical Next Steps
A.
Dizziness after starting hydrochlorothiazide is common and often due to lowered blood pressure, dehydration, or electrolyte shifts, and it can be worsened by other blood pressure medicines or alcohol. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, including practical steps like rising slowly, staying hydrated, and monitoring blood pressure, and the red flags that require urgent care such as fainting, chest pain, confusion, or severe weakness.
References:
* Liamis G, Rodenburg EM, Hofman A, Zietse R, Rabelink TJ, Hoorn EJ. Thiazide-induced hyponatremia: mechanisms, risk factors, and management. Am J Med. 2006 Dec;119(12 Suppl 1):S1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2006.11.006. PMID: 17161647.
* Freeman R, Wieling W, Axelrod FB, Benditt DG, Benarroch CA, Biaggioni I, Cheshire WP Jr, Chelimsky C, Cortes M, Davey B, Fernandez-Violante R, Gibbons CH, Goldstein DS, Hainsworth R, Hilz MJ, Jacob G, Kaufmann H, Kuritzky G, Levine BD, Low PA, Mathias CJ, Mcewan C, Palma JA, Peltier AC, Robertson D, Sacquegna T, Schondorf R, Stewart JM, Sutton R, Woolfenden A. Orthostatic Hypotension: Current Concepts in Classification, Differential Diagnosis, and Treatment. Circulation. 2011 Sep 6;124(10):1135-49. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.044040. PMID: 21896155.
* Sica DA. Adverse effects of thiazide diuretics. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2010 Sep;9(5):749-57. doi: 10.1517/14740338.2010.511311. PMID: 20687723.
* Ricci F, De Caterina R, Fedorowski A. Orthostatic Hypotension: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management. Cleve Clin J Med. 2018 Jun;85(6):445-460. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.85a.17066. PMID: 29870425.
* Palma JA, Kaufmann H. Practical recommendations for managing orthostatic hypotension. Am J Med. 2018 Jan;131(1):30-37. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.07.038. Epub 2017 Aug 2. PMID: 28779956.
Q.
Dizzy on Carvedilol? Why your heart is slowing & medical next steps.
A.
There are several factors to consider: dizziness on carvedilol is common early in treatment because it lowers blood pressure and slows the heart, often worse when standing, when dehydrated, or when combined with other medicines. Safe next steps include checking seated and standing blood pressure, rising slowly, staying hydrated, taking doses with food, and calling your doctor to adjust therapy rather than stopping; seek urgent care for fainting, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, confusion, or stroke-like symptoms, and see below for important details on duration, interactions, and when to get immediate help.
References:
* Krum H, et al. Clinical implications of carvedilol-induced orthostatic hypotension in patients with heart failure. Am Heart J. 2003 May;145(5):824-30. PMID: 12743603.
* Muldowney M, et al. Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope in Patients with Heart Failure. Curr Heart Fail Rep. 2021 Apr;18(2):49-56. PMID: 33649987.
* Varghese M, et al. Management of syncope associated with beta-blockers: a case report and review of the literature. J Med Case Rep. 2013 Aug 1;7:198. PMID: 23902917.
* Bristow MR, et al. Adverse effects of carvedilol: a review. J Card Fail. 1996 Dec;2(4 Suppl):S33-8. PMID: 9133314.
* Packer M. The carvedilol story: from beta-blocker to pleiotropic cardiovascular drug. J Card Fail. 2001 Dec;7(4 Suppl 1):S1-12. PMID: 11836691.
Q.
Feeling Dizzy? Why Your Blood Pressure Is Low + Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Feeling dizzy with low blood pressure may be harmless or due to dehydration, medications, orthostatic hypotension, heart problems, blood loss, infection, or hormone disorders. There are several factors to consider, so see below to understand more. Medically approved next steps include lying down with legs elevated, checking your pressure sitting then standing, hydrating if appropriate, rising slowly, reviewing medicines, considering compression stockings or supervised salt changes, and seeking urgent care for red flags like chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, confusion, fainting, or signs of bleeding or severe dehydration, with full details and when to call a doctor outlined below.
References:
* Chou SH, Chen YC, Yang FY, et al. Orthostatic Hypotension: An Update on Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Management. *J Clin Neurol*. 2021;17(2):160-172. doi:10.3988/jcn.2021.17.2.160
* Brignole M, Moya A, de Lange FJ, et al. 2018 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of syncope. *Eur Heart J*. 2018;39(21):1883-1948. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehy037
* Miller AJ, Raj SR. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): A Concise and Practical Review. *Mayo Clin Proc*. 2021;96(6):1679-1688. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.11.025
* Palma JA, Maquet A, Grimaldi S, et al. Chronic Hypotension: Clinical Significance and Management. *Front Cardiovasc Med*. 2021;8:688682. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.688682
* Ricci F, De Caterina R, Brignole M. Non-pharmacological management of orthostatic hypotension: a comprehensive review. *Clin Auton Res*. 2020;30(3):195-207. doi:10.1007/s10286-020-00683-w
Q.
Could a disturbance in the autonomic nervous system cause lightheadedness and dizziness?
A.
Yes, a disturbance in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) can cause lightheadedness and dizziness. The ANS plays a crucial role in regulating involuntary bodily functions, and dysfunction in this system can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and other related issues.
References:
Waxenbaum JA, Reddy V, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Autonomic Nervous System. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539845/
Rafanelli M, Walsh K, Hamdan MH, Buyan-Dent L. Autonomic dysfunction: Diagnosis and management. Handb Clin Neurol. 2019;167:123-137. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-804766-8.00008-X. PMID: 31753129.
Goldberger JJ, Arora R, Buckley U, Shivkumar K. Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction: JACC Focus Seminar. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 Mar 19;73(10):1189-1206. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.12.064. PMID: 30871703; PMCID: PMC6958998.
Q.
Should I see primary care for feeling lightheaded, shaky, and weak?
A.
Yes, you should see a primary care provider if you are feeling lightheaded, shaky, and weak. These symptoms can be indicative of various underlying health issues that require evaluation and management.
References:
Rogers TS, Noel MA, Garcia B. Dizziness: Evaluation and Management. Am Fam Physician. 2023 May;107(5):514-523. PMID: 37192077.
Mullin N, Mcphee O, Morrow C, Youssef A. Assessment, diagnosis and management of the dizzy patient. Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2020 Dec 2;81(12):1-7. doi: 10.12968/hmed.2020.0469. Epub 2020 Dec 30. PMID: 33377841.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Neuhauser HK. The epidemiology of dizziness and vertigo. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;137:67-82. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-63437-5.00005-4. PMID: 27638063.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780444634375000054?via%3DihubPost RE, Dickerson LM. Dizziness: a diagnostic approach. Am Fam Physician. 2010 Aug 15;82(4):361-8, 369. PMID: 20704166.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2010/0815/p361.htmlPfieffer ML, Anthamatten A, Glassford M. Assessment and treatment of dizziness and vertigo. Nurse Pract. 2019 Oct;44(10):29-36. doi: 10.1097/01.NPR.0000579744.73514.4b. PMID: 31568028.
https://journals.lww.com/tnpj/Abstract/2019/10000/Assessment_and_treatment_of_dizziness_and_vertigo.7.aspxZwergal A, Feil K, Schniepp R, Strupp M. Cerebellar Dizziness and Vertigo: Etiologies, Diagnostic Assessment, and Treatment. Semin Neurol. 2020 Feb;40(1):87-96. doi: 10.1055/s-0039-3400315. Epub 2019 Dec 30. PMID: 31887755.
https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0039-3400315