What Causes Dizziness?

Whether you’re feeling faint, lightheaded, woozy, weak, disoriented, or unsteady, you might use the term dizziness to describe the sensation. Most of us have experienced a dizzy spell at one time or another, but when dizziness is persistent or chronic, it can be uncomfortable, unnerving, or even dangerous. Sometimes dizziness results from a simple activity, such as spinning in circles or riding a carnival ride, but other times it’s produced by serious conditions. What causes dizziness? Below we explore some of the most common health conditions that can induce dizziness.

First of all, it’s important to note that there is a difference between dizziness and vertigo. The Cleveland Clinic explains it this way: “Dizziness is an altered sense of spatial orientation, a distortion of where we are within a space and like your balance just feels off. Vertigo, on the other hand, is truly the sensation of self-movement or the movement of your surroundings – it’s a spinning sensation.” These variations to your equilibrium can feel similar, so it can be difficult to know if you’re experiencing dizziness or true vertigo. If you’ve been feeling off-balance, make an appointment with your doctor for a diagnosis.

Since dizziness and vertigo are commonly mistaken for one another, we’ve listed causes of both dizziness and vertigo below.

What Causes Dizziness?

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

The most common cause of vertigo, BPPV causes an intense, brief, and false sensation that you’re moving or spinning. This feeling is typically triggered when you rapidly change the position of your head. For example, you might experience symptoms of BPPV when you sit up, lie down, bend over, roll over in bed, etc. Although frustrating, BPPV is rarely serious. It can, however, increase your risk of falling.

Ménière’s Disease

A disorder of the inner ear, Ménière’s disease can cause dizzy spells, vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. It usually begins between young and middle-aged adulthood and then becomes chronic, though treatments are available that can lessen its severity.

Ear Infections

When a viral or bacterial ear infection causes inflammation in your inner ear, the vestibular nerve (which sends information about balance to the brain) may be affected. This can lead to vestibular neuritis, a disorder that may produce sudden and severe vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues, amongst other symptoms.

Certain Heart and Vascular System Conditions

Several heart and vascular system conditions can cause dizziness and vertigo. These include irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), low blood pressure (hypotension), and narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis). Dizziness can also be a sign of a heart attack or stroke, so it’s important to take it seriously if you experience other symptoms. Common symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, arm pain, back pain, and jaw pain. Common symptoms of a stroke include headache, numbness, weakness, slurred speech, trouble walking, and visual changes.

Certain Brain-Related Conditions

Sometimes health conditions related to the brain can lead to dizziness and balance problems. Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions, can produce lightheadness or vertigo. Migraines often cause dizziness, along with symptoms like nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, and sensitivity to light, noise, and odors. In addition, multiple sclerosis (MS) may produce dizziness.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

When your blood sugar (or blood glucose) is abnormally low, your brain may be impacted because it relies on blood sugar for energy. This can cause symptoms like dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, and poor concentration. Although hypoglycemia often occurs in people with diabetes, it can affect people who don’t have diabetes as well.

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If you suffer from dizziness, how does the sensation make you feel? What experiences commonly trigger your dizzy spells? These details may help your doctor diagnose what causes dizziness for you.

Are you currently suffering from dizziness? Reach out to the professionals at the National Dizzy & Balance Center. We specialize in diagnosing and treating vestibular disorders, including vertigo and concussions. Our talented team members can evaluate the extent of your concussion and design a personalized plan to relieve your symptoms. To learn more, please contact us online or by phone. Or if you’re ready to get started, schedule your free medical consultation today.