Health Topics for Symptoms

Carver College of Medicine

UI Hospitals and Clinics

UI Children's Hospital

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center

UI Behavioral Health

UI Family Care

UI Heart Care

UI HealthWorks

Community Events

Services in Your Community

Dizziness

Dizziness is used to describe symptoms such as feeling faint, lightheaded, or unsteady.

There are four types of dizziness:

• Dizziness that is caused by VESTIBULAR SYSTEM problems may be accompanied by ringing in the ears or vertigo. Vertigo is the sensation of either spinning around yourself or having things spin around you. The vestibular system helps us maintain balance.

• Dizziness that is caused by CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM problems results in decreased oxygen to the brain. This includes blood clots and bleeding, or spasms in the vessels of the brain. This type of dizziness may also be caused by multiple sclerosis.

• Dizziness that is caused by SYSTEMIC problems is a result of heart disease, drug reactions, infection, anemia, or metabolic disorders.

• Dizziness that is caused by PSYCHOLOGICAL problems may cause one to feel lightheaded and result from hyperventilation, severe anxiety, or depression. Up to 20 percent of cases of dizziness may be due to psychological problems.

Occasional attacks of dizziness are normal. Dizziness is often associated with changes in the blood flow to the brain. When the delivery of blood, oxygen, or glucose is impaired, you may feel faint, look pale, and want to sit down. Vision may darken. Rarely, loss of consciousness may occur.

Take safety measures if you should feel dizzy. Sit or lie down until it goes away. Do not risk the chance of injury from falling. If driving, pull over to the side of the road where you will be safe. Do not operate machinery while dizzy.

Seek medical evaluation for recurring dizziness. Treatment will vary depending on the cause.

Copyright (c) 1998. HBO & Company (602) 230-7575. All Rights Reserved.