What should you know about recurring dizziness?

Recurring dizziness should be assessed by its sensation, timing and triggers because causes range from dehydration to balance, blood or heart problems. Sit or lie down when it begins, avoid driving during an episode, and record what happened just before it.

Spinning brought on by turning in bed or moving the head can occur with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Lightheadedness after standing may occur with dehydration, heat exhaustion, low blood sugar or a drop in blood pressure. Anaemia, including iron deficiency anaemia, can reduce oxygen delivery and cause fatigue or faint feelings. Atrial fibrillation may cause an irregular heartbeat with dizziness. Anxiety can also produce lightheadedness, but new or changing symptoms should not be assumed to be anxiety.

Book a clinical review if episodes recur, cause falls, affect work or follow a new medicine. Describe spinning versus faintness, duration, hearing changes, headache, palpitations, nausea and vision changes. Keep hydrated unless a clinician has limited your fluids, rise slowly, eat regular meals and avoid alcohol while symptoms are active. Do not operate machinery if balance or alertness is affected.

Seek emergency help for sudden weakness or numbness on one side, facial drooping, trouble speaking, severe new headache, chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness or inability to walk safely. Prompt assessment is also needed for persistent vomiting, a head injury, black stools or dizziness with a very fast or irregular pulse.

Ask whether your symptoms fit an inner-ear pattern, a circulation issue, anaemia, glucose changes or a heart rhythm problem. Ask whether blood pressure, blood tests, an ear examination or heart tracing is appropriate, and which activities you should pause until the cause is clearer.