Dizziness

What is Dizziness 

Dizziness is a common problem. It makes you feel unsteady or light-headed. You may feel like you are about to pass out (faint). Dizziness can lead to getting hurt if you stumble or fall. Dizziness can be caused by many things, including:

• Medicines.
• Not having enough water in your body (dehydration).
• Illness.

Follow these instructions at home:

Eating and drinking

• Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow. This helps to keep you from getting dehydrated. Try to drink more clear fluids, such as water.
• Do notdrink alcohol.
• Limit how much caffeine you drink or eat, if your doctor tells you to do that.

Limit how much salt (sodium) you drink or eat, if your doctor tells you to do that.

Activity

• Avoid making quick movements.
  • When you stand up from sitting in a chair, steady yourself until you feel okay.
  • In the morning, first sit up on the side of the bed. When you feel okay, stand slowly while you hold onto something. Do this until you know that your balance is fine.
• If you need to stand in one place for a long time, move your legs often. Tighten and relax the muscles in your legs while you are standing.
• Do notdrive or use heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.

Avoid bending down if you feel dizzy. Place items in your home so you can reach them easily without leaning over.

Lifestyle

• Do notuse any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
• Try to lower your stress level. You can do this by using methods such as yoga or meditation. Talk with your doctor if you need help.

General instructions

• Watch your dizziness for any changes.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor. Talk with your doctor if you think that you are dizzy because of a medicine that you are taking.
• Tell a friend or a family member that you are feeling dizzy. If he or she notices any changes in your behavior, have this person call your doctor.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• Your dizziness does not go away.
• Your dizziness or light-headedness gets worse.
• You feel sick to your stomach (nauseous).
• You have trouble hearing.
• You have new symptoms.
• You are unsteady on your feet.
• You feel like the room is spinning.

Get help right away if:

• You throw up (vomit) or have watery poop (diarrhea), and you cannot eat or drink anything.
• You have trouble:
  • Talking.
  • Walking.
  • Swallowing.
  • Using your arms, hands, or legs.
• You feel generally weak.
• You are not thinking clearly, or you have trouble forming sentences. A friend or family member may notice this.
• You have:
  • Chest pain.
  • Pain in your belly (abdomen).
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Sweating.
• Your vision changes.
• You are bleeding.
• You have a very bad headache.
• You have neck pain or a stiff neck.
• You have a fever.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Summary

• Dizziness makes you feel unsteady or light-headed. You may feel like you are about to pass out (faint).
• Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow. Do notdrink alcohol.
• Avoid making quick movements if you feel dizzy.
• Watch your dizziness for any changes.