Dizziness
(Dizzy)

1. Balance Disorders Slideshow
2. Take the Vertigo Quiz
3. Tinnitus Slideshow: Why Are My Ears Ringing?

Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms that will prompt a person to seek medical care. The term dizziness (or dizzy) means different things to different people, so it is difficult to define. Does "feeling dizzy" mean lightheadedness or the feeling of weakness and almost passing out? Or does it refer to the sensation of vertigo, in which a person feels as if they have just gotten off a merry-go-round?

Dizziness (lightheadedness) is often caused by a decrease in blood supply to the brain, while vertigo may be caused by disturbances of the inner ear and the balance centers of the brain. It is important that the health care practitioner understand what you mean when you complain of dizziness. You may be asked additional questions so that the proper direction can be taken for a diagnosis and treatment.

While classifying dizziness into lightheadedness and vertigo categories may help understand how the body works, sometimes it is worthwhile to review common reasons why people might complain of dizziness.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, and the feeling of passing out is a common complaint in people who have low blood pressure. When the blood pressure is too low, not enough oxygen-rich blood is being delivered to the brain, and its function can be affected. If the brain's blood supply is decreased too much, the person may pass out (syncope).

In addition to feeling dizzy, associated symptoms may include:

• sweating,
  
  
• nausea and vomiting,
  
  
• shortness of breath, and
  
  
• chest pain.

Low blood pressure may be the result of an underlying illness or disease, or it may be a normal physiologic condition. Some common reasons for low blood pressure include the following:

• Anemia (decreased red blood cell count)
  
  
• Bleeding
  
  
• Dehydration (loss of water in the body) often occurs with infections that cause vomiting and diarrhea. Fever also can cause a significant amount of water loss due to increased metabolic rate and excessive sweating as the body tries to cool itself.
  
  
• Heat-related illnesses associated with dehydration such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke (a medical emergency).
  
  
• Side effects of certain medications used to control blood pressure and heart rate. Examples include:
  
  
  • beta blockers (propranolol [Inderal, Inderal LA], atenolol [Tenormin], metoprolol, [Lopressor, Toprol XL]), which block adrenalin receptors in the heart and may limit the ability of the heart rate to increase in response to changes of position, decreased red blood cell count, or dehydration.
    
    
  • Nitroglycerin and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur), a long acting nitroglycerin, are medications that are prescribed to dilate blood vessels in the heart to treat angina. However, these medications may also cause other blood vessels in the body to dilate and be unable to respond to the body's needs.
    
    
  • Diuretics that can cause dehydration
    
    
  • ACE inhibitors that slow the heart rate, and
    
    
  • medications for erectile dysfunction that can dilate blood vessels.
    
    
• Alcohol use
  
  
• Pregnancy