Dizziness is complicated and confusing, causing great trouble and anxiety in those who experience it. In fact, it is the second most typical reason for doctor appointments. Many people don’t know the condition, and seeing three different physicians can lead to three different explanations for your symptoms. The seven most common causes of dizziness are listed here to help you understand.
Common Causes of Dizziness
Here, we will go over some potential reasons for dizziness, ranging from short-term physical effects to more severe underlying medical issues.
1. Postural Hypotension
This temporary dizziness, also known as orthostatic hypotension, results from a sudden drop in blood pressure when sitting or standing up. There is commonly a background of low blood pressure (120 systolic/ 80 diastolic mm Hg on average). Check your blood pressure while lying down and compare it to sitting or standing. A considerable distinction between your systolic and diastolic pressures (greater than 20 mm) might trigger your dizziness.
2. Vertigo
Many people interchangeably use “vertigo” and “dizziness.” Although these conditions produce similar sensations, they differ slightly. A symptom of vertigo might feel woozy or disoriented. Vertigo, on the other hand, is the strange sensation of movement. Vertigo can make people feel as if their surroundings are spinning or tilting.
3. Circulatory Problems
Dizziness signs can be triggered by conditions influencing blood flow or general cardiovascular health. Anemia (low red blood cell count), hormone changes (as with menstrual cycles and menopause), blood clots, atherosclerosis, and dehydration are all typical reasons.
4. Migraine
A migraine is a headache that causes pulsing or throbbing on one side of the head. People may experience dizziness before the start of a migraine episode. Other neurologic symptoms, called moods, can occur before the pain of a migraine headache. Auras can impair vision, speech, and motor control.
When migraines are continuously accompanied by dizziness, this is called vestibular migraine or migraine-associated vertigo. Vestibular rehabilitation, medication, and avoiding migraine triggers can be effective in this condition. Find out more about the resources for vertigo and tinnitus.
5. Cardiovascular Disease
According to a study, cardiovascular disease is one of the leading reasons for dizziness symptoms. Check to see if you’ve had a recent physical and if your blood work is up to date. You might need a heart stress test and ECG to dismiss this usual cause definitively. Dizziness can be triggered by heart conditions such as plaque buildup in the arteries and heart disease. Dizziness or lightheadedness might occur before or after a heart attack or stroke.
6. Anxiety, Stress, and Depression
Depression, stress, and anxiety are commonly misunderstood as simply emotional problems. However, they have real physical effects on the performance of our body processes. An abrupt flare-up in this area (e.g., an anxiety attack), extreme exposure to stress (work, family, finances, health), or long-term, unmanaged anxiety and depression can all result in irregular nerve system activity, which can trigger dizziness.
7. PPPD
Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is a condition described by non-spinning dizziness and unsteadiness triggered by environmental or social factors. Some people with persistent sensations of dizziness or vertigo might develop PPPD and experience chronic dizziness. It is now identified as one of the most common vestibular problems affecting people aged 30 to 50 and the most common diagnosis for all vestibular patients.
Bottom Line
Experiencing extreme or sudden dizziness can be unpleasant. Common health conditions that cause dizziness include stress, anxiety, and low blood sugar. Detecting the root cause of your dizziness can be challenging, even for doctors and medical professionals. If a person experiences extreme or chronic dizziness, they should consult their specialist.
