Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

The causes of dizziness are as varied as the ways it makes people feel. It can result from something as simple as motion sickness — the queasy feeling that you get on twisting roads and roller coasters. Or it could be due to various other treatable health conditions or medicine side effects. Very rarely, dizziness may stem from infection, injury or conditions that reduce blood flow to the brain. Sometimes healthcare professionals can't find a cause.

In general, dizziness that happens without any other symptoms is not likely to be a symptom of a stroke.

Inner ear problems

Dizziness often is caused by conditions that affect the balance organ in the inner ear. Inner ear conditions also can cause vertigo, the sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. Examples of such conditions include:

  1. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
  2. Migraine
  3. Meniere's disease
  4. Balance problems

Reduced blood flow

Dizziness can be caused if your brain doesn't receive enough blood. This can happen for reasons such as:

  1. Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis
  2. Anemia — a condition in which the body doesn't get oxygen due to a lack of healthy red blood cells
  3. Overheating or not being well hydrated
  4. Hypoglycemia
  5. Heart arrhythmia
  6. Orthostatic hypotension (postural hypotension)
  7. Stroke
  8. Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Certain medicines

Some types of medicines cause dizziness as a side effect, including some types of:

  1. Antidepressants
  2. Anti-seizure medicines
  3. Medicines to control high blood pressure
  4. Sedatives
  5. Tranquilizers

Other causes of dizziness

  1. Carbon monoxide poisoning
  2. Concussion
  3. Depression (major depressive disorder)
  4. Generalized anxiety disorder
  5. Motion sickness: First aid
  6. Panic attacks and panic disorder

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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Sept. 26, 2024

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