Positional changes, especially quick ones, divert blood flow temporarily from the brain to the body. It is more likely that this will result in lightheadedness when a person is dehydrated or ill. If lightheadedness is due to a more serious underlying condition, a person will usually experience additional symptoms. Most of the time, a person experiencing an episode of lightheadedness can manage their symptoms with home remedies and lifestyle changes. A person who is prone to experiencing dizziness or lightheadedness should use the following tips to reduce their risk of falling or fainting:.
While lightheadedness does not usually require medical care, a doctor may sometimes recommend one of the following treatments, depending on the underlying cause:. If a doctor recommends physical therapy for lightheadedness, a physical therapist is likely to teach a person exercises to improve their balance.
In people who have lightheadedness due to anxiety, a doctor may recommend psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy CBT to help them manage this condition. In very rare cases, a doctor may advise surgery for repeated episodes of lightheadedness and vertigo. A surgeon will perform a labyrinthectomy, which is the removal of part or all of the inner ear.
However, it is essential to seek emergency medical attention for lightheadedness or dizziness when one or more of the following symptoms accompany it:. Lightheadedness is a common experience, and it usually resolves very quickly with no lasting effects. People who frequently experience lightheadedness can usually manage the symptoms at home. Use our Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist. You will usually feel better if you have a drink of water, eat something sugary and lie down.
If they go to hospital, some people will need to take in fluids through an intravenous drip. Cut back on caffeine, alcohol, salt and smoking since these can increase your chance of getting lightheadedness.
Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and avoiding stress can also help. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Find out about the causes, symptoms and treatment for pernicious anaemia, also called vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia. Read more on myDr website. Read more on Better Health Channel website. Dizziness can be used to describe a wide variety of sensations. Find out the difference between vertigo and faintness, and possible underlying causes.
Read more on Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute website. Most people can ascend to a level of metres in one day without getting sick. Acute mountain sickness is the mildest form of altitude sickness, but can develop into more dangerous forms of altitude sickness. The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female". This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Have you had a head injury? Could you be having symptoms of a heart attack?
If you're having a heart attack, there are several areas where you may feel pain or other symptoms. Do you have symptoms of shock? Did you pass out completely lose consciousness? If you are answering for someone else: Is the person unconscious now? Are you back to your normal level of alertness? After passing out, it's normal to feel a little confused, weak, or light-headed when you first wake up or come to. But unless something else is wrong, these symptoms should pass pretty quickly and you should soon feel about as awake and alert as you normally do.
Did the loss of consciousness occur during the past 24 hours? Have you had any new neurological symptoms other than dizziness?
Do you have these symptoms right now? Is the dizziness severe? Severe means that you are so dizzy that you need help to stand or walk. Have you noticed any irregular heartbeats or changes in your heart rate? Do you have symptoms of a serious illness? Do you have vertigo? Have you had sudden, severe hearing loss?
Is vertigo a new problem? Are your symptoms getting worse? Did the symptoms start after a recent injury? Have you recently had moments when you felt like you were going to faint? Have you felt faint or light-headed for more than 24 hours? Are you nauseated or vomiting?
Nauseated means you feel sick to your stomach, like you are going to vomit. Are you nauseated a lot of the time or vomiting repeatedly? Do you think that a medicine could be causing the dizziness?
Think about whether the dizziness started after you began using a new medicine or a higher dose of a medicine. Have you been feeling dizzy for more than 5 days?
Is the problem disrupting your daily activities? These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner. Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious. Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions. Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms. Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect. You may need care sooner. Symptoms of a heart attack may include: Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest. Shortness of breath. Nausea or vomiting. Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms.
Light-headedness or sudden weakness. A fast or irregular heartbeat. Symptoms of serious illness may include: A severe headache.
A stiff neck. Mental changes, such as feeling confused or much less alert. Extreme fatigue to the point where it's hard for you to function. Shaking chills. Heartbeat changes can include: A faster or slower heartbeat than is normal for you. This would include a pulse rate of more than beats per minute when you are not exercising or less than 60 beats per minute unless that is normal for you. A heart rate that does not have a steady pattern. Skipped beats. Extra beats. Symptoms may include: Numbness, weakness, or lack of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Health. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Causes See a doctor Treatment Prevention We include products we think are useful for our readers. What is lightheadedness? Causes of lightheadedness. When to seek medical help. How is lightheadedness treated? How can I prevent lightheadedness? Read this next. Medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, M. Treatments for Dizziness. Medically reviewed by Nancy Hammond, M.
Signs of Heart Problems During Exercise. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.
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