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Dizziness and Vertigo
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Symptoms

Dizziness and Vertigo

Dizziness and vertigo are common sensations that can stem from various physical factors, though they are often treatable or resolve on their own.

Overview

When you're dizzy, you may feel lightheaded, woozy, or disoriented. If you feel like you or the room are spinning, you have vertigo. These feelings may make you lose your balance.

Causes

Dizziness can have many different causes:

  • A sudden drop in blood pressure
  • Dehydration
  • Getting up too quickly from sitting or lying down
  • Certain medicines
  • Problems with your inner ear
  • Motion sickness
  • Other underlying disorders

Risk Factors

As people get older, they may have more health problems and take more medicines. This makes them more likely to have problems with dizziness and balance.

Management

Dizziness usually gets better by itself or is easily treated. If you are dizzy often, you should see your health care provider to find the cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many common medications, including blood pressure drugs, sedatives, antidepressants, and diuretics, can cause dizziness as a side effect, particularly when first starting treatment or increasing the dose. Do not stop taking prescribed medication without consulting your doctor. Instead, keep a log of when dizziness occurs relative to when you take your pills. This information helps your provider determine if the medication is the cause and whether a dosage adjustment or switch to an alternative drug is necessary.
To prevent falls, move slowly when changing positions, especially when standing up from sitting or lying down. Sit on the edge of the bed for a few seconds before standing to allow your blood pressure to adjust. Ensure your living space is well-lit and free of tripping hazards like loose rugs or clutter. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until the episode has fully resolved, and stay hydrated to help maintain stable blood volume and pressure.
Dizziness is a general term for feeling lightheaded, woozy, or unsteady, while vertigo is a specific sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving even when they are still. This distinction matters because vertigo often points to inner ear or neurological issues, whereas general dizziness is more frequently linked to blood pressure changes, dehydration, or medication side effects. Accurately describing the sensation to a clinician helps narrow down the potential causes and appropriate tests.
You should seek immediate emergency care if dizziness is accompanied by sudden severe headache, double vision, slurred speech, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, chest pain, or fainting. These symptoms may indicate a stroke, heart attack, or other serious neurological event. If the dizziness is mild, isolated, and not associated with these red flags, it can often be managed at home with rest and hydration, but persistent episodes warrant a scheduled visit to a healthcare provider.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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