Symptoms and Signs of Dizziness

Dizziness Symptoms

With dizziness, the person may feel faint, near passing out, weak, nauseated, confused, tired, clumsy, off balance, or any combination of these. The individual may perceive a sensation of movement, spinning, rocking, or whirling, of themselves or the room (possible vertigo).

Often, dizziness is accompanied by other symptoms such as:

• Faintness ("lightheadedness") or actual fainting
• Weakness or tiredness
• Confusion
• Feeling off balance
• Headache or head pressure
• Chest pain or tightness
• Nausea or vomiting

Dizziness Causes

• Hypoxia (low blood oxygen)
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia including an insulin reaction
• Dehydration

• Stroke, tumor, headaches, migraines,
• Loss or decrease of blood supply to the brain, such as fainting (syncope or vasovagal syncope)
• Dementia or confusion

Almost all medications list dizziness as a possible side effect, but it is more common with some types of medicines

• Blood pressure medications, diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, pain relievers, and some antibiotics

Almost all medications list dizziness as a possible side effect, but it is more common with some types of medicines

• Blood pressure medications, diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, pain relievers, and some antibiotics

• Reduced capacity for exercise or activity, weakness, and deconditioning
• Reduced ability for the blood circulation to compensate for quickly assuming an upright position (orthostatic hypotension)
• Hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
• Neuropathy (a progressive dysfunction of the nerves that is caused by different illnesses, especially diabetes)
• Menopause
• Poor eyesight and coordination
• Dementia
• Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

• Reduced capacity for exercise or activity, weakness, and deconditioning
• Reduced ability for the blood circulation to compensate for quickly assuming an upright position (orthostatic hypotension)
• Hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
• Neuropathy (a progressive dysfunction of the nerves that is caused by different illnesses, especially diabetes)
• Menopause
• Poor eyesight and coordination
• Dementia
• Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

• Internal bleeding or hemorrhage
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Prolonged bed rest, causing weakness and loss of ability to compensate for assuming an upright position infections
• Endocrine diseases in which hormone-producing organs such as the thyroid, adrenal glands, and pituitary gland affect hydration, salt balance, and function of other organs
• Allergies may cause wheezing and low blood pressure, or can trigger sinusitis, which can result in dizziness
• Postprandial hypotension (low blood pressure after eating)

• Internal bleeding or hemorrhage
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Prolonged bed rest, causing weakness and loss of ability to compensate for assuming an upright position infections
• Endocrine diseases in which hormone-producing organs such as the thyroid, adrenal glands, and pituitary gland affect hydration, salt balance, and function of other organs
• Allergies may cause wheezing and low blood pressure, or can trigger sinusitis, which can result in dizziness
• Postprandial hypotension (low blood pressure after eating)

Dizziness may be attributed to a wide variety of causes. Sometimes doctors find no specific diagnosis for the affected individual, but some causes of dizziness are dangerous. Some causes of dizziness are listed.

Dizziness may be attributed to a wide variety of causes. Sometimes doctors find no specific diagnosis for the affected individual, but some causes of dizziness are dangerous. Some causes of dizziness are listed.

• Depression, anxiety, or panic disorder
• Hyperventilation is from breathing too fast or too deeply, usually from anxiety or metabolic disorders
• Somatization is the conversion of a mental illness, such as anxiety or depression, into physical symptoms. Often, the patient may be unaware of the underlying mental illness and insist they have only physical complaints.
• Anxiety also causes stress, and vice-versa, which can cause dizziness.

• Depression, anxiety, or panic disorder
• Hyperventilation is from breathing too fast or too deeply, usually from anxiety or metabolic disorders
• Somatization is the conversion of a mental illness, such as anxiety or depression, into physical symptoms. Often, the patient may be unaware of the underlying mental illness and insist they have only physical complaints.
• Anxiety also causes stress, and vice-versa, which can cause dizziness.

• Heart attack,
• Arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythms), heart rate too fast or slow
• Weakened, aged, or diseased heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), toxins or drugs that affect the rate or force of the contractions of the heart
• Extremely high blood pressure
• Low blood pressure, which can have multiple causes including diseases of the heart, bleeding disorders, anemia, and adverse reactions to medications

• Heart attack,
• Arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythms), heart rate too fast or slow
• Weakened, aged, or diseased heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), toxins or drugs that affect the rate or force of the contractions of the heart
• Extremely high blood pressure
• Low blood pressure, which can have multiple causes including diseases of the heart, bleeding disorders, anemia, and adverse reactions to medications