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Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo - Topic Overview
Dizziness is a word that is often used to describe two different feelings. It is important to know exactly what you mean when you say "I feel dizzy" because it can help you and your doctor narrow down the list of possible problems.
- Lightheadedness is a feeling that you are about to faint or "pass out." Although you may feel dizzy, you do not feel as though you or your surroundings are moving. Lightheadedness often goes away or improves when you lie down. If lightheadedness gets worse, it can lead to a feeling of almost fainting or a fainting spell (syncope). You may sometimes feel nauseated or vomit when you are lightheaded.
- Vertigo is a feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when there is no actual movement. You may feel as though you are spinning, whirling, falling, or tilting. When you have severe vertigo, you may feel very nauseated or vomit. You may have trouble walking or standing, and you may lose your balance and fall.
Although dizziness can occur in people of any age, it is more common among older adults. A fear of dizziness can cause older adults to limit their physical and social activities. Dizziness can also lead to falls and other injuries.
Lightheadedness
It is common to feel lightheaded from time to time. Lightheadedness usually is not caused by a serious problem. It often is caused by a momentary drop in blood pressure and blood flow to your head that occurs when you get up too quickly from a seated or lying position (orthostatic hypotension).
Lightheadedness has many causes, including:
- Allergies.
- Illnesses such as the flu or colds. Home treatment of your flu and cold symptoms usually will relieve lightheadedness.
- Vomiting, diarrhea, fevers, and other illnesses that cause dehydration.
- Very deep or rapid breathing (hyperventilation).
- Anxiety and stress.
- The use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs.
A more serious cause of lightheadedness is bleeding. Most
of the time, the location of the bleeding and the need to seek medical care are
obvious. But sometimes bleeding is not obvious (occult bleeding). You may have
small amounts of bleeding in your
digestive tract
over days or weeks without noticing
the bleeding. When this happens, lightheadedness and fatigue may be the first
noticeable symptoms that you are losing blood. Heavy menstrual bleeding also
can cause this type of lightheadedness.
An uncommon cause of
lightheadedness is an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia),
which can cause fainting spells (syncope). Unexplained fainting spells need to
be evaluated by a doctor. To check your heart rate, see
taking a pulse.
Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause lightheadedness or vertigo. The degree of lightheadedness or vertigo that a medicine causes will vary.
Vertigo
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo Topics
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