Lots of people know when to say “when” after riding rides at the county fair or local playground. After an experience like that, you feel like the world is spinning, have difficulty walking a straight line, and might even be a bit queasy. But if you ever experience dizziness outside of a moment when you’re at play, it’s important to know when you should seek medical advice. Always trust your gut; if you feel like something isn’t right, get help right away. 

 

Some forms of dizziness are less concerning, and while you should mention them to your doctor, there is no need for urgent medical evaluation. 

 

Motion Sickness—Some individuals are prone to motion sickness, which can cause dizziness and sometimes nausea. This can occur while riding in a vehicle or when watching a film/program that contains a high amount of camera motion. Sometimes even the screen of a smartphone or tablet can trigger motion sickness. For vehicle-related dizziness/motion sickness, seasick bands available at many pharmacies can provide some relief. Once you know you are susceptible to motion sickness, videos with shaky camera movements should be avoided, and if possible, use the motion reduction setting on smartphones/tablets. 

 

Hydration/Nutrient Issue—During or after a workout or period of physical activity, it is not uncommon for a person to feel a sensation of dizziness. This feeling can sometimes be due to dehydration—needing more fluids/water. The sensation could also be due to being low in electrolytes or experiencing a drop in your blood sugar. Taking breaks during physical activity to properly hydrate or refuel can sometimes help stave off or prevent this type of dizziness. 

 

Medication Side Effects—A number of medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) list dizziness as a common side effect. Speak with your pharmacist or healthcare provider about dizziness that you suspect may be due to a medication; in some cases, the medication dose can be reduced, or a substitute medication can be used.

While most people don’t enjoy feeling dizzy unexpectedly, sometimes dizziness can be a sign of a more serious medical problem. These causes of dizziness should always be taken seriously to protect your health or the health of a loved one. 

 

Injury—If you’ve sustained a head injury due to a fall, collision, automobile accident or other occurrence, and have a sensation of dizziness, this could be a sign of a concussion. Additional concussion signs include nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, drowsiness, confusion and ringing in the ears. Any suspicion of a possible concussion should receive prompt evaluation by a medical professional right away. 

 

Inner Ear Problems/Infections—Problems in the inner ear can dramatically affect a person’s sense of balance, causing dizziness and sometimes even nausea and vomiting. Ear infections can easily disrupt a person’s sense of balance. These infections can be treated with antibiotics. Some people can experience severe dizziness like the room is spinning—called vertigo—this condition can be caused by an inner ear issue or other health issue affecting your vestibular system (your body’s system that controls your sense of balance). Several inner ear issues may require additional medical attention/treatment through the care of a primary care provider or ENT specialist. 

 

Heart/Circulatory Issues—if your heart pumps too quickly or erratically, it can cause a racing feeling in the chest accompanied by a sensation of dizziness. These feelings can be signs of a bigger heart issue that should be evaluated right away. If your blood pressure drops too low, it can interrupt the blood flow to your brain, causing a feeling of weakness/dizziness. This sensation can be a sign of a heart attack, blood clots or other cardiac-related issues and should be treated very seriously. 

 

Stroke—Dizziness can be a sign of stroke, especially if it begins suddenly and is accompanied by other neurologic symptoms. Anyone experiencing sudden-onset dizziness and slurred speech, weakness, numbness, difficulty walking or vision problems should seek care immediately at the closest emergency room.

Always remember that whenever you feel differently than how you normally feel, your body is trying to tell you something. If dizziness does not go away quickly or you have recurrent bouts of unexplained dizziness, you should seek medical assistance. 

 

To learn if you should see a brain specialist, take our balance and gait self-assessment quiz today.