What makes dizzy

In: Conn's Current Therapy Branch WT, et al. Approach to the patient with dizziness. Heat injury and heat exhaustion. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Muncie HL, et al. Dizziness: Approach to evaluation and management.

American Family Physician. Moskowitz HS, et al. Meniere disease. Migraine information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Shepard NT expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 4, Rohren CH expert opinion.

July 4, Important facts about falls. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Carbon monoxide poisoning FAQs. Accessed April 9, Related Inner ear and balance. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. 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:. Iron deficiency can result in a condition called anemia , in which the body does not have enough oxygen-rich blood. Making appropriate dietary changes and taking iron supplements can help treat mild forms of iron-deficiency anemia.

People who have a severe iron deficiency may require a blood transfusion. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose, or blood sugar, falls below the normal levels. Causes of hypoglycemia include:. Symptoms of hypoglycemia can appear suddenly and vary in severity. A few of these symptoms include:. Autoimmune inner ear disease AIED refers to any condition wherein the immune system mistakenly attacks the inner ear.

AIED can cause hearing loss in one or both ears. AIED causes nonspecific symptoms that are similar to those of an ear infection. For doctors to accurately diagnose AIED, they need to take a full medical history, perform a physical examination, and track any additional symptoms.

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. Dizziness is a common symptom of anxiety. However, the exact relationship between the two varies among people. Some people may experience anxiety attacks that trigger dizziness, while others might have a sudden onset of dizziness that triggers an anxiety attack.

Stressful events, such as an exam or a challenging emotional situation, can trigger anxiety attacks. People may feel dizzy, disoriented, and nauseous during an anxiety attack. Dizziness may indicate a more serious underlying medical condition when it occurs alongside symptoms such as:. Experiencing an episode of sudden or severe dizziness can be alarming.

However, the dizziness usually resolves on its own and does not require emergency medical attention. Dizziness is a nonspecific symptom that can indicate an underlying medical condition, such as anxiety, stress, or low blood sugar. People should speak with their healthcare provider if they experience severe or recurring dizziness. Dizziness while lying down, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, has many causes, including head injuries, diabetes, and migraines.

But don't ignore bouts of dizziness, warns Dr. It's a real problem, particularly in the elderly, and in many cases, it can be prevented," he says. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting.

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