In this Article

• Introduction to dizziness (feeling dizzy)
• What are some common causes of dizziness?
• Low blood pressure
• Postural or orthostatic hypotension
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Endocrine diseases
• Hyperventilation
• Heart conditions
• Vasovagal syncope
• Dizziness and vertigo
• What are the symptoms experienced when a person feels dizzy?
• When should I call the doctor for dizziness?
• How is dizziness diagnosed?
• How is dizziness/vertigo diagnosed?
• How is dizziness treated?
• Dizziness At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Dizziness - Describe Your Diagnosis
• Dizziness (Dizzy) Glossary
• Dizziness (Dizzy) Index

Diabetes

Dizziness is a common complaint in patients with diabetes and may be caused by low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), or autonomic dysfunction (see above).

• Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar (hypo=low +glyc=sugar =emia=blood) occurs because of an inadequate amount of glucose in the blood. A person with diabetes can develop hypoglycemia from an inadequate amount of food intake, or from taking too much medication (insulin or oral tablets), which results in low blood sugar levels. In this situation the patient experiences dizziness or lightheadedness because the brain lacks glucose to function properly. Patients with diabetes and their families need to recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia, including dizziness, sweating, confusion, and coma as treatment needs to be given immediately. Oral sugar-containing foods or a glucagon injection may be life-saving for the patient.
  
  
• Hyperglycemia (hyper=high +glyc=sugar +emia=blood) also causes dizziness. High blood sugar levels occur because there is not enough insulin available to bind with the glucose in the blood - to be used for energy. If insulin is not administered to the patient, the person may develop diabetic ketoacidosis.

Endocrine diseases

• Diabetes (discussed above) if not well controlled is one of the main endocrine diseases that may cause dizziness.
  
  
• Thyroid disease: Abnormalities of the thyroid may also cause dizziness as one of its symptoms.
  
  
  • Hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) may cause palpitations, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and dizziness.
    
    
  • Hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) may cause low blood pressure and a decreased heart rate leading to dizziness, weakness, lethargy, and chills.
  
  
  
• Addison's disease: Addison's disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol to meet the needs of the body. Cortisol is a naturally occurring steroid produced by the body and is part of the stress response (fight or flight). If cortisol levels are low, a patient may experience weakness, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, low blood sugar, and low blood pressure.

Dizziness - Describe Your Diagnosis

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Please describe your diagnosis of your dizziness.

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• Low Blood Pressure - Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure is blood pressure below normal and symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). There are many causes of low blood pressure, and treatment is dependant upon the cause.

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