Definition of Dizziness:

Dizziness is a term that is often used to describe two different symptoms: lightheadedness and vertigo.

Light-headedness is a feeling like you might faint.

Vertigo is a feeling that you are spinning or moving, or that the the world is spinning around you. See also: Vertigo-associated disorders

Considerations:

Most causes of dizziness are not serious and either quickly get better on their own or are easily treated.

Common Causes:

Light-headedness occurs when your brain does not get enough blood. This may occur if:

• You have a sudden drop in blood pressure
• Your body does not have enough water (is dehydrated) because of vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and other conditions
• You get up too quickly after sitting or lying down (this is more common in older people)

Light-headedness may also occur if you have the flu, low blood sugar, a cold, or allergies.

More serious conditions that can lead to light-headedness include:

• Heart problems, such as a heart attack or abnormal heart beat
• Stroke
• Bleeding inside the body
• Shock (extreme drop in blood pressure)

If any of these serious disorders is present, you will usually also have symptoms like chest pain, a feeling of a racing heart, loss of speech, change in vision, or other symptoms.

Vertigo may be due to:

• Benign positional vertigo, a spinning feeling that occurs when you move your head
• Labyrinthitis, a viral infection of the inner ear that usually follows a cold or flu
• Meniere's disease, a common inner ear problem

Other causes of lightheadedness or vertigo may include:

• Use of certain medications
• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis
• Seizures
• Brain tumor
• Bleeding in the brain