What causes dizziness?

May 15, 202505/15/2025

Dizziness has many possible causes, which may relate to a person’s external environment, the medications they take, or an underlying condition.

Dizziness refers to a range of sensations, such as feeling as though the room is spinning, lightheadedness, and feeling physically unsteady.

Recurring dizziness or severe dizzy spells can significantly interfere with a person’s life. It rarely indicates a medical emergency, however. People can experience dizziness after:

spinning around quickly
standing or sitting up too fast
engaging in high-intensity exercise

Usually, people will be able to identify the cause of their dizziness. However, this symptom may occur unexpectedly or without any clear reason.

The causes of dizziness can range from temporary physical changes to more serious underlying medical conditions, some of which we will detail below.

1. Vertigo

Vertigo or a migraine can cause dizziness.

Many people may use the terms “vertigo” and “dizziness” interchangeably. Although they both cause similar sensations, they are slightly different.

When someone feels dizzy, they can feel woozy or disoriented. Vertigo, on the other hand, refers to the artificial sensation of movement. Vertigo can cause people to feel as though the environment around them is spinning or tilting.

Vertigo occurs due to the development of problems in the inner ear. Causes of vertigo can include:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV develops when calcium carbonate particles collect in the inner ear canals.

These canals send information about the body’s position and movements to the brain, but the presence of the calcium particles causes the brain to misread the information.

Ménière’s disease

This inner ear condition has no known cause, but some scientists believe that it can occur when fluid builds up in the ear canals.

Ménière’s disease can develop suddenly and without any apparent cause. It can give rise to vertigo, a ringing or roaring sound in the ears, and hearing loss.

Labyrinthitis

Infections can cause inflammation in the inner ear, or labyrinth. Labyrinthitis tends to develop after a viral infection, such as a cold or flu.

Antiviral and antihistamine medications can effectively treat labyrinthitis. However, parts of the inner ear may sustain permanent damage as a result of this condition.

2. Motion sickness

Repetitive motion from being in a vehicle, such as a car, airplane, or boat, can send multiple and mixed signals to the brain, causing dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. People call this “motion sickness” or “seasickness.”

Being pregnant or taking certain medications can increase a person’s sensitivity to motion and increase their risk of experiencing motion sickness. The symptoms of motion sickness usually subside away once the person sets foot on solid ground.

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3. Migraine

A migraine is a type of recurring headache that in addition to causing a throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head, may also cause dizziness.

In particular, a vestibular migraine is a type of migraine that often causes episodes of dizziness. As such, some people may also refer to it as migraine associated vertigo. Potential triggers of vestibular migraine can include stress, dehydration, poor sleep, visual stimuli, certain foods, and hormonal changes.

4. Low blood pressure

A sharp drop in blood pressure can cause a brief sensation of lightheadedness. Blood pressure changes can occur after sitting or standing up too quickly.

Other conditions that can cause blood pressure changes include:

dehydration
blood loss
severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis
pregnancy

Taking certain medications, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, or antidepressants, can also cause changes in blood pressure.

5. Cardiovascular disease

Conditions that affect the cardiovascular system, such as the buildup of plaque in the arteries and congestive heart failure, can cause dizziness. People may experience dizziness or feel lightheaded before or after a heart attack or stroke.

If a person has cardiovascular disease, they will likely experience other signs and symptoms, including:

irregular heartbeat
shortness of breath
discomfort or tightness in the chest
a persistent cough
excess fluid in the arms, legs, or feet
fatigue
nausea, vomiting, or both

When to contact a doctor

In addition to the above, many other serious conditions can result in dizziness. This can include conditions that affect the brain, such as stroke, brain tumors, and vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders. It can also be a symptom of poisoning.

Dizziness may indicate a more serious underlying medical condition when it occurs alongside symptoms such as:

double vision
vomiting
fever
numbness
difficulty moving or controlling the arms or legs
headache
chest pain
loss of consciousness

Summary

Experiencing an episode of sudden or severe dizziness can be alarming. However, the dizziness usually resolves on its own and does not require emergency medical attention in many cases. Although, it is important to note that if dizziness persists, it may indicate a serious condition that requires immediate attention.

Dizziness is a nonspecific symptom that can indicate an underlying medical condition, such as anxiety, stress, or low blood sugar. People should consult their healthcare provider if they experience severe or recurring dizziness.

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