Dizziness (2024)

It's common to sometimes feel dizzy, lightheaded or off-balance, and it's not usually serious. See a GP if you're worried.

Check if you have dizziness

Dizziness includes feeling:

  • off-balance
  • giddy
  • lightheaded or faint
  • like you're spinning or things around you are spinning (vertigo)

How you can treat dizziness yourself

Dizziness usually goes away on its own. But there are things you can do to take care of yourself while you're feeling dizzy.

Do

Don’t

  • do not bend down suddenly

  • do not get up suddenly after sitting or lying down

  • do not do anything that could be dangerous while you're dizzy, like driving, climbing a ladder or using heavy machinery

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • you're worried about your dizziness or vertigo
  • it will not go away or it keeps coming back
  • you're finding it harder to hear or speak
  • there's ringing or other sounds in your ears (tinnitus)
  • you have double vision, blurred vision or other changes in your eyesight
  • your face, arms or legs feel numb or weak
  • you have other symptoms like changes to your pulse, fainting or collapsing, headaches, feeling or being sick

Causes of dizziness

If you have other symptoms, this might give you an idea of the cause. Do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried.

Dizziness while you're ill with something else

Dizziness often goes away after you're treated for something else. For example:

Dizziness for no obvious reason
Dizziness for no obvious reason
Dizziness symptoms Possible causes

When standing or sitting up suddenly

Sudden drop in blood pressure (postural hypotension)

Feeling off-balance, losing some hearing, ringing or other sounds in your ears (tinnitus)

Inner-ear problems

Feeling off-balance or like things are spinning, feeling or being sick, sometimes after a cold or flu

Labyrinthitis

After starting new prescription medicine

Side effect of medicine

Page last reviewed: 21 April 2023
Next review due: 21 April 2026

Dizziness (2024)

FAQs

Dizziness? ›

Dizziness is a term used to describe a range of sensations, such as feeling faint, woozy, weak or unsteady. Dizziness that creates the false sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving is called vertigo.

When should you worry about dizziness? ›

Generally, see your doctor if you experience any recurrent, sudden, severe, or prolonged and unexplained dizziness or vertigo. Get emergency medical care if you experience new, severe dizziness or vertigo along with any of the following: Sudden, severe headache. Chest pain.

What is the most common cause of dizziness? ›

Vestibular dysfunction. This is one of the most common causes of dizziness. Your vestibular system is made up of your inner ear organ and it's neural connections to your brain. It allows you to sense head position and motion.

What can I do to stop my dizziness? ›

Do
  1. lie down until the dizziness passes, then get up slowly.
  2. move slowly and carefully.
  3. get plenty of rest.
  4. drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
  5. avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.

What are the red flags for dizziness? ›

“Red flag” symptoms should alert you to a non-vestibular cause: persistent, worsening vertigo or dysequilibrium; atypical “non-peripheral” vertigo, such as vertical movement; severe headache, especially early in the morning; diplopia; cranial nerve palsies; dysarthria, ataxia, or other cerebellar signs; and ...

How long is too long for dizziness? ›

In general, if dizziness lasts longer than a few days, or is severe enough to keep you from normal activities, you should talk with your doctor.

How do you know when your dizzy is not serious? ›

Dizziness alone is often not much cause for concern, especially if it passes after a few moments. However, if you experience additional symptoms or fainting, you should talk to your doctor. If you experience vomiting, double vision, or trouble using your arms or legs, you should get immediate medical attention.

What disease starts with dizziness? ›

Meniere's disease is an inner ear problem that can cause dizzy spells, also called vertigo, and hearing loss. Most of the time, Meniere's disease affects only one ear. Meniere's disease can happen at any age. But it usually starts between the ages of 40 to 60.

How do I know if my dizziness is heart related? ›

In most cases, dizziness associated with heart problems is accompanied by other symptoms. These may include shortness of breath, swollen extremities, frequent fatigue or chest pain. In the event heart disease is suspected, you will undergo one or more tests to get to the root of your problem.

What are you lacking when you get dizzy? ›

Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, specifically magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin D, can all affect vestibular function and lead to increased dizziness.

What drink is good for dizziness? ›

Drinking lemon juice helps to maintain the energy level and lower dizziness, as lemon is rich in Vitamin C and has helped in decreasing dizziness. Vitamin-rich foods like berries, tomatoes, and green vegetables should be a part of your diet.

When to go to the ER for dizziness? ›

If you are dizzy right now and have any of the following neurological symptoms along with your dizziness or vertigo, call 911 immediately: New confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech. New slurred speech or hoarseness of voice. New numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg.

What to eat when dizzy? ›

Banana: Being high in carbohydrates and having a high glycemic index, bananas will help in recovering from a dizzy state quickly as it is a good combination of potassium as well as sugar. Yoghurt: A fruity yoghurt with berries and nuts helps shoot up one's energy, especially for those with reactive hypoglycaemia.

What are the 5 D's of dizziness? ›

Posterior circulation stroke affects around 20% of all ischemic strokes and can potentially be identified by evaluating or assessing the “Five D's”: Dizziness, drowsiness, dysarthria, diplopia, and dysphagia.

Why am I getting random dizzy spells? ›

Dizziness has many possible causes, including inner ear disturbance, motion sickness and medication effects. Sometimes it's caused by an underlying health condition, such as poor circulation, infection or injury. The way dizziness makes you feel and your triggers provide clues for possible causes.

Can dehydration cause dizziness? ›

Dehydration symptoms in adults may include: Headache, delirium and confusion. Tiredness (fatigue). Dizziness, weakness and lightheadedness.

When should I go to the ER for dizziness? ›

If you are dizzy right now and have any of the following neurological symptoms along with your dizziness or vertigo, call 911 immediately: New confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech. New slurred speech or hoarseness of voice. New numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg.

Is dizziness a warning? ›

Many people experience dizziness, and it's often no cause for alarm. But sometimes, it can be a warning sign of a concerning underlying condition.

Can dizziness be a serious problem? ›

Dizziness may not seem as if it's a symptom of a serious issue, but you should still talk to a healthcare provider if you're frequently dizzy: Dizziness may be a symptom of medical conditions that could get worse if left untreated.

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