Feeling dizzy or unsteady can be disorienting—and sometimes frightening. Dizziness itself isn’t a disease but a symptom that can result from a variety of causes, from inner ear problems and migraines to dehydration, anxiety, or even certain medications.

Depending on the cause, dizziness can make you feel lightheaded, faint, unbalanced, or as if the room is spinning. While mild dizziness may pass on its own, recurring or severe episodes may indicate a more serious condition.

You should seek immediate medical attention if dizziness occurs with chest pain, facial drooping, shortness of breath, confusion, or fainting.

1. Inner Ear Problems

The inner ear controls your sense of balance and spatial orientation. When it’s disrupted, it can cause vertigo—a spinning sensation that feels like motion sickness or tilting to one side.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo. Tiny calcium crystals (canaliths) in your inner ear become dislodged and float in the fluid, sending confusing signals to your brain. You may feel like everything around you is spinning.

An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist can perform the Epley maneuver—a sequence of head and body movements designed to move those crystals back into place and relieve vertigo symptoms.

Ménière’s Disease

Ménière’s disease occurs when fluid builds up inside the inner ear. It often causes:

  • A feeling of fullness in the ear

  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

  • Fluctuating hearing loss

  • Episodes of vertigo

While there’s no cure, lifestyle adjustments—such as reducing salt, taking medications, using hearing aids, or doing vestibular therapy—can help manage symptoms.

2. Migraines

Vestibular migraines affect balance and can make you feel dizzy even without head pain. In addition to dizziness, you might experience:

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Sensitivity to light or sound

  • Blurred vision or throbbing head pain

Treatment may include anti-vertigo or anti-nausea medications, migraine-specific drugs, and dietary or lifestyle changes to avoid triggers such as caffeine or certain foods.

3. Blood Pressure Drops

Sudden changes in posture—from lying or sitting to standing—can cause orthostatic hypotension (a temporary drop in blood pressure). This makes blood flow away from the brain, causing dizziness or faintness.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Blurred vision

  • Fatigue

  • Confusion or fainting

Staying hydrated, rising slowly, and avoiding standing for long periods may help manage symptoms.

4. Poor Blood Circulation

When your brain doesn’t get enough blood, you can experience dizziness, weakness, tingling, or numbness. This may result from heart disease, clogged arteries, or a transient ischemic attack (TIA)—a temporary “mini-stroke.”

Seek emergency care if dizziness occurs with:

  • Slurred speech

  • Loss of coordination

  • Weakness on one side of the body

  • Sudden blurred vision

Even though TIA symptoms usually pass quickly, they can signal a serious stroke risk.

5. Parkinson’s Disease

People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) sometimes experience dizziness due to medication side effects or blood pressure changes. PD primarily affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness, and slowed motion, but it can also impair balance and circulation.

If dizziness worsens with Parkinson’s treatment, consult your healthcare provider to adjust medication.

6. Medications

Several medications can trigger dizziness as a side effect—especially those that lower blood pressure. These include:

  • Diuretics (for removing excess fluid and salt)

  • Beta blockers (for heart conditions)

  • Antidepressants

  • Parkinson’s medications

Never stop medication on your own—talk with your doctor about alternatives or dosage adjustments.

7. Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can cause sudden dizziness, weakness, or shakiness—especially if you skip meals or take insulin. You may also feel hungry, anxious, or irritable.

Having a small snack—especially one containing carbohydrates—can quickly stabilize blood sugar. If these episodes are frequent, see a healthcare provider to rule out diabetes or metabolic conditions.

8. Anemia

If your body doesn’t have enough iron, your blood can’t carry sufficient oxygen, leading to iron-deficiency anemia—a common cause of dizziness and fatigue.

Other symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath

  • Cold hands and feet

  • Pale skin

  • Persistent tiredness

Increase your intake of iron-rich foods (red meat, seafood, beans, leafy greens) or ask your doctor about iron supplements if needed.

9. Dehydration

When your body loses too much fluid, your blood pressure drops, reducing oxygen flow to your brain and causing dizziness.

Common signs of dehydration include:

  • Thirst

  • Dark urine

  • Dry mouth

  • Decreased sweating

Drink water regularly and eat hydrating foods like cucumbers, oranges, and melons—especially during hot weather or exercise.

10. Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety and panic attacks can cause lightheadedness or vertigo, often accompanied by:

  • Rapid heartbeat

  • Trembling or sweating

  • Numb or tingling hands

  • Shortness of breath

During an anxiety episode, focus on slow, deep breathing and grounding techniques. If dizziness persists, therapy or medication for anxiety may help.

11. Heat-Related Illness

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, both of which cause dizziness, nausea, and confusion.

If you feel lightheaded in the heat:

  • Move to a cooler space

  • Drink water or electrolyte fluids

  • Rest and avoid overexertion

Older adults are especially vulnerable to heat syncope, a sudden fainting episode caused by dehydration and overheating.

12. Motion Sickness

If you get dizzy or queasy while traveling, you may have motion sickness, which occurs when your brain receives mixed signals from your eyes and inner ear.

Tips to reduce symptoms:

  • Look at a fixed point on the horizon

  • Sit near the front of a car or in the middle of a boat

  • Try over-the-counter remedies like Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) before trips

13. Allergic Reactions

Allergies—especially severe ones—can lower blood pressure and lead to dizziness or fainting. Common triggers include foods, pollen, medications, or insect bites.

If you experience dizziness with swelling, rash, or breathing problems, seek medical help immediately. Prevent future episodes by avoiding known allergens and carrying antihistamines or an epinephrine injector if prescribed.

Less Common Causes

Occasionally, dizziness may be linked to:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)

  • Pregnancy

  • Brainstem stroke or tumor

  • Inner ear or skull injuries

  • Tumors on the vestibulocochlear nerve (the nerve responsible for hearing and balance)

Home Remedies for Dizziness

If dizziness occurs at home, try to:

  • Sit or lie down immediately

  • Move slowly and avoid quick position changes

  • Dim bright lights

  • Limit reading and screen time

  • Stay hydrated and rest

These simple steps can prevent falls and allow your body to recover.

When To Contact a Healthcare Provider

See a doctor if you experience:

  • Dizziness after taking new medication

  • Hearing loss or tinnitus

  • Frequent or worsening symptoms

  • Dizziness lasting longer than a few days

Seek emergency care immediately if dizziness comes with:

  • Chest pain or shortness of breath

  • Facial drooping or slurred speech

  • Fainting or loss of consciousness

  • Numbness or weakness in limbs

  • Sudden severe headache or fever

These may be signs of a stroke, heart problem, or infection requiring urgent attention.

A Quick Review

Dizziness can result from inner ear disorders, low blood sugar, dehydration, heart problems, or anxiety. While mild dizziness is common, persistent or severe symptoms should never be ignored.

Understanding your body’s signals—and consulting a healthcare provider—can help identify the underlying cause and restore balance safely.