Information from Your Family Doctor
What's Making Me Dizzy?
Am Fam Physician. 2023;107(5):online
Related article: Dizziness: Evaluation and Management
What is dizziness?
Dizziness is one of the most common reasons people visit their doctors. It may make you feel off-balance, wobbly, lightheaded, or like you might faint. Vertigo is dizziness that makes you feel like the room or objects are spinning around you. Dizziness can make it harder for you to do everyday activities. Talk to your doctor if this is a new symptom or if you don't have times between dizzy spells when you feel normal.
What causes it?
Anxiety or problems in your inner ear most often cause dizziness. Heart or nervous system problems are possible, but these are rare. If your dizziness doesn't let up between spells, it may be due to a stroke or might mean a stroke is about to happen, but this is rare. Some medicines can cause dizziness. Tell your doctor what medicines you are taking so they can be adjusted or changed.
What can I expect from my doctor?
Your doctor will ask you to describe how your dizziness feels, when it happens, if it happens only when you're in certain positions, what makes it worse, and what makes it better. They may do some movement tests. Your doctor may place your body in different positions to see what makes you dizzy. They will check your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing.
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on the cause and your symptoms. Medicines can sometimes make the symptoms better, but they can also take longer to get better. Your doctor may change your medicines if they are the cause of dizziness. Your doctor may want you to drink more water or do certain head and neck exercises. It is important to treat dizziness because you are more likely to fall if you are dizzy. You are also more likely to have a car accident if you drive while dizzy.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor
Vestibular Disorders Association
