What should you know about extreme dizziness?

Dizziness can mean spinning, unsteadiness, or feeling faint. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, low blood sugar, anaemia, iron-deficiency anaemia, anxiety, or a balance disorder such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo can contribute. Atrial fibrillation and other heart or circulation problems are also possible, so the timing and associated symptoms matter.

Note whether it began after standing, turning your head, missing food, heat exposure, illness, or a new medicine. Do not drive while dizzy.

Sit or lie down immediately in a safe place, move slowly, and ask someone to stay nearby if you feel faint or unsteady. Sip fluids if dehydration is possible and eat a small snack if you may have missed a meal and can swallow safely. Arrange medical advice if episodes recur, interfere with walking, or do not settle.

Call emergency services for dizziness with facial drooping, one-sided weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, a new severe headache, chest pain, breathlessness, a racing or irregular heartbeat, fainting, seizure, confusion, or inability to walk. Emergency assessment is also needed after a significant head injury or when symptoms start suddenly and do not improve.

Describe whether the sensation is spinning or faintness, how long episodes last, what triggers them, and whether hearing changes, headache, palpitations, weakness, nausea, or vision changes occur. Ask whether blood pressure, glucose, blood counts, heart rhythm, or balance testing is appropriate.