Dizziness can have many different causes, ranging from minor conditions to more serious underlying health problems. Some of the most common causes of dizziness include:
- Inner ear problems: Inner ear problems, such as vertigo, can cause a spinning sensation and unsteadiness.
- Low blood pressure: Low blood pressure, or hypotension, can cause lightheadedness or dizziness, especially when standing up or changing position quickly.
- Cardiovascular problems: Cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks, stroke, or heart disease, can cause dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Neurological conditions: Neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or a brain tumor, can cause dizziness or unsteadiness.
- Dehydration: Dehydration can cause lightheadedness or dizziness, especially in hot weather or when exercising.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as blood pressure medications or diuretics, can cause dizziness as a side effect.
- Psychological conditions: Psychological conditions, such as anxiety or depression, can cause dizziness or unsteadiness.
- Motion sickness: Motion sickness can cause dizziness or unsteadiness, especially when traveling by car, boat, or plane.
- Migraines: Migraines can cause vertigo or dizziness, especially in those who experience migraines with aura.
- Low iron levels (anemia). Other signs and symptoms that may occur along with dizziness if you have anemia include fatigue, weakness and pale skin.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This condition generally occurs in people with diabetes who use insulin. Dizziness (lightheadedness) may be accompanied by sweating and anxiety.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often described as “flu-like” and include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion.
- Overheating and dehydration. If you’re active in hot weather or if you don’t drink enough fluids, you may feel dizzy from overheating (hyperthermia) or from dehydration. This is especially true if you take certain heart medications.
- Excessive exercise: Overexerting yourself may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. It can also lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion, which can both cause dizziness.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): Multiple sclerosis (MS) damages the brain and spinal cord. It causes a range of symptoms that can include dizziness.
- Parkinson’s disease: Dizziness is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease, a neurological condition that causes shaking and balance issues. Dizziness may become more noticeable in later stages of Parkinson’s.
- Infections: A variety of infections are associated with dizziness. Examples include:
- COVID-19: You may feel dizziness and vertigo while you have or recover from COVID-19. The dizziness and vertigo may be associated with headaches and a loss of balance.
- Other viral infections: Other viral infections, such as the flu or a cold, may also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. These infections may be associated with dehydration as well.
- Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis: Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis occur when specific nerves in your inner ear become inflamed. Triggers often include viral infections, but they can vary. Bacterial infections are more common in people with labyrinthitis than in people with vestibular neuritis.
- In rare cases, a stroke, a malignant tumor, or another brain disorder can cause dizziness.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your risk of getting dizzy include:
- Age. Older adults are more likely to have medical conditions that cause dizziness, especially a sense of imbalance. They’re also more likely to take medications that can cause dizziness.
- A past episode of dizziness. If you’ve experienced dizziness before, you’re more likely to get dizzy in the future.
It’s important to seek medical attention if you experience any type of dizziness, as the underlying cause and the best treatment option will depend on a number of factors, including your overall health, the severity of your symptoms, and the presence of any other symptoms or underlying conditions.