Dizziness, Nonvertigo
(Nonvertigo Dizziness)
Definition
Dizziness may cause you to feel light-headed or weak. You may feel like you are going to faint. Dizziness can happen for a short period of time or be a long-lasting condition that gets in the way of your daily activities.
Causes
A common cause of dizziness is vertigo. Vertigo makes you feel like the room is spinning or rotating while you are still.
Many conditions can cause dizziness such as:
- Orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure when standing
- Neurological conditions
- Conditions that affect how the heart pumps blood to the body
- Anxiety disorders
- Alcohol or illicit drug use
- Infection or fever
- Head injury
- Hypoglycemia, low blood sugar
- Anemia
Prescription medications can also cause dizziness. These may include:
- angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Calcium channel blockers
- Nitrates
- Antipsychotics
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Blood Flow to the Brain
In some cases, dizziness may be due to decreased blood flow to the brain.
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Risk Factors
Dizziness is a symptom that may be caused by another condition. There are no risk factors for dizziness.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of dizziness you have. Common symptoms include:
- Lightheadedness
- Imbalance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Vision or hearing problems
- Heart palpitations
When Should I Call My Doctor?
Call your doctor if you:
- Are having episodes of dizziness, especially if they are happening more often or are worse in intensity
- Have signs of an infection such as fever or chills
- Are concerned that your medication may be causing dizziness
- Experience hearing loss
When Should I Call for Medical Help Immediately?
Call for medical help or go to the emergency room right away if you have:
- A head injury
- Rapid, irregular heartbeat, or chest pain
- High fever
Look for and know the signs of stroke. These may include:
- Face drooping—one side of the face is numb or drooping
- Arm weakness—one arm is numb, weak, or drifts downward when trying to raise it up
- Speech difficulty—includes slurring, inability to speak, or inability to repeat a simple sentence
- Leg numbness or weakness
- Confusion or difficulty understanding
- Difficulty walking
- Loss of balance
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your doctor may recommend the following to find the cause of your dizziness:
- Blood tests
- Blood pressure tests
- Hearing and vision tests
- Tilt table test
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- CT scan
- MRI scan
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of the dizziness. If your dizziness is caused by a condition, the treatment may help reduce symptoms. Examples include:
| Cause | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Orthostatic hypotension | Medication, lifestyle and dietary changes |
| Motion sickness | Medication, lifestyle and lifestyle changes |
| Anxiety disorder or other mental health condition | Therapy and medication |
| Infection | Antibiotic or antiviral medication |
| Dizziness due to medication that you are taking | Changes to your medication |
| Imbalance | Physical therapy to build strength and balance |
Home Care and Lifestyle Changes
To avoid injuries, make these lifestyle changes:
- If you are feeling dizzy, sit down right away. Also, avoid activities that could cause harm, like driving, using machinery, or climbing a ladder.
- Remove items in your home that could cause you to lose your balance such as throw rugs and loose electrical cords.
- Place slip-resistant mats in your shower and on your bathroom floor.
- Place night lights in hallways and in the bathroom.
- Use a cane if you feel that you need extra support.
Prevention
Try these tips to prevent dizziness:
- Avoid sudden movements.
- Avoid bending down or extending your neck.
- Avoid smoking, drinking excess amounts of alcohol, and using illicit drugs.
- Maintain proper treatment for long-term conditions.
- Get treatment when you have an infection.
- Talk to your doctor right away if you have side effects from your medications.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Family Physicians Family Doctor
http://www.familydoctor.org
Vestibular Disorders Association
http://www.vestibular.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Balance and Dizziness Disorders Society
http://www.balanceanddizziness.org
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
REFERENCES:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us. Updated January 14, 2013. Accessed April 25, 2013.
Dizziness and motion sickness. American Academy of Otolaryngology website. Available at: http://www.entnet..... Updated December 2010. Accessed April 25, 2013.
Dizziness-differential diagnosis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us. Updated December 16, 2011. Accessed April 25, 2013.
Stroke warning signs and symptoms. American Stroke Association website. Available at: http://www.strokea.... Accessed April 25, 2013.
Last reviewed April 2013 by Rimas Lukas, MD; Brian Randall, MD
Last Updated: 4/25/2013