When you feel dizzy, it may seem like the room is moving, the world is spinning, and your balance is totally thrown off. This feeling of lightheadedness or being on the verge of fainting is very unsettling and can even be really dangerous if you happen to fall. But it’s important to understand why you are feeling dizzy and what condition could be causing these symptoms.
Reasons Why You May Feel Dizzy
These are some of the most common causes of dizziness that you may encounter.
Migraines
Dizziness is a common symptom of migraines, which are severe headaches that may also be accompanied by vision problems and have specific triggers. Vestibular migraines are a specific type of migraine that creates feelings of dizziness and perhaps even vertigo.
Vertigo
Vertigo is a type of inner ear imbalance that gets worse when you move your head or roll over in bed. People who have vertigo may also have a ringing sensation in their ears, fever, and be unable to perform daily tasks.
Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, is a common cause for dizziness. When your blood sugar drops, you also might feel shaky and sweaty. It’s best to eat frequent snacks or several small meals per day to keep blood sugar levels at a more consistent level.
Low Blood Pressure or Circulation
Blood pressure that has suddenly dropped and blood circulation problems are also common causes of dizziness. This is because your brain needs a steady flow of blood filled with oxygen, and without it, lightheadedness results.
Low Iron Levels
One of the most common symptoms of an iron deficiency is dizziness, along with weakness, cold extremities, and shortness of breath. You can often fight this type of deficiency by eating more iron-rich natural foods and pairing them with foods rich in vitamin C to aid absorption and prevent anemia.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can also make a person feel dizzy and lightheaded because of the effects alcohol has on the body. Alcohol dehydrates the body, and dehydration for any reason can limit oxygen reaching the brain. Alcohol also changes the composition of inner ear fluids to create an imbalance and disorientation – all of which can make you feel dizzy after drinking too much.
Medications
Certain medications list dizziness as a possible side effect, which can be problematic if you rely upon these medications to be well. Some drugs that can cause dizziness include blood pressure medications, sedatives, anti-depressants, antibiotics, and anti-seizure medications.
Natural Dizziness Remedies
Drinking more water throughout the day may help to relieve dizziness symptoms since dehydration is a common cause of this symptom. If motion sickness or pregnancy are to blame for dizziness, eating ginger may help as well. Other ways to fight dizziness with food include eating more iron-rich foods, such as beans and dark leafy greens. Meanwhile, vitamin E helps blood vessels stay elastic and promote good circulation, which is why spinach and nuts are good options to eat.
A type of physical therapy called vestibular rehabilitation may help to improve balance and decrease dizziness in some people. Acupuncture, reducing alcohol and tobacco use, and getting more sleep can also help with dizziness symptoms. Dizziness does not always require making an appointment to see a doctor, but it is a smart idea to get checked out if it occurs often or is accompanied by falling, shortness of breath, persistent headaches, or a very stiff neck.