What should you know about things that cause dizziness?

Dizziness can come from dehydration, low blood sugar, balance problems, anaemia, heat or anxiety, and urgent symptoms require immediate assessment. Spinning suggests a balance-system problem, while feeling faint can relate to blood pressure, fluids, blood sugar or heart rhythm.

Brief spinning triggered by turning in bed or moving the head can occur with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Lightheadedness after heat, sweating, illness or poor intake can occur with dehydration or heat exhaustion. Anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia may reduce oxygen delivery and contribute to fatigue or breathlessness. Anxiety can alter breathing and create a floating or unsteady feeling. Irregular heart rhythm, including atrial fibrillation, is another reason for recurrent faintness or palpitations. The symptom alone cannot identify the cause.

Sit or lie down promptly, move slowly, and avoid driving, heights or machinery until the feeling has passed. Sip fluids if you can drink safely, and eat a small snack if you may have missed food and have no dietary restriction. Note whether the sensation spins or feels faint, what you were doing, how long it lasted, and whether there was headache, hearing change, palpitations or weakness. Arrange a review for repeated episodes rather than repeatedly treating them at home.

Call emergency services for dizziness with new facial drooping, one-sided weakness, trouble speaking, severe chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, a sudden severe headache or inability to walk safely. Seek prompt medical advice for repeated faintness, racing or irregular heartbeat, ongoing vomiting, signs of dehydration, or dizziness after a head injury. A clinician may check blood pressure, balance, heart rhythm and blood tests.

Is this spinning, lightheadedness or imbalance, and what does that pattern suggest? Could fluids, blood sugar, anaemia, heat, anxiety or heart rhythm be involved? Do I need blood tests, an ear assessment or heart monitoring? Which activities should I avoid meanwhile?