Dizziness

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: M.Umer Tariq [2]

Overview

Many different terms are often used to describe what is collectively known as dizziness. Common descriptions include words such as lightheaded, floating, whoozy, giddy, confused, helpless or fuzzy. Vertigo, Disequilibrium and Pre-syncope are the terms in use by most doctors. Dizziness is sometimes a symptom of a balance disorder.

Classification

Vertigo

The word "vertigo" comes from the Latin "vertere", to turn + the suffix "-igo", a condition = a condition of turning about.

Vertigo is a specific medical term used to describe the sensation of spinning or having the room spin about you. Most people find vertigo very disturbing and often report associated nausea and vomiting.

Disequilibrium

Disequilibrium is the sensation of being off balance, and is most often characterized by frequent falls in a specific direction. This condition is not often associated with nausea or vomiting.

Pre-syncope

Pre-syncope is most often described as lightheaded or feeling faint. Syncope, by contrast, is actually fainting. Pre-syncope, or lightheadedness, does not result from primary central nervous system pathology. Nor does it originate in the inner ear. It is most often cardiovascular in etiology. In many patients, lightheadedness is a symptom of orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension occurs when the blood pressure drops significantly when the patient stands from a supine or seated position. If loss of consciousness occurs in this situation, it is termed syncope.

Causes

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular	Aortic Stenosis, Aortic valve stenosis, Atrial flutter, Atrial myxoma, Cardiac amyloidosis, Cardiomegaly, Cerebrovascular disease, Familial atrial fibrillation, Hypertension, Inappropriate sinus tachycardia, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Pulmonary hypertension, Pulmonary valve stenosis, Second Degree AV Block, Sick sinus syndrome, Sinus bradycardia, Supraventricular tachycardia, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome,
Chemical / poisoning	Alcohol flush reaction, Amnesic shellfish poisoning, Amyl nitrite, Antimony, Bromomethane, Bothrops, Cadmium poisoning, Carbon monoxide poisoning, Cyanogen, Ephedra, Ethylene, Furfural, Ginkgo, Green Tobacco Sickness, Heavy metal ingestion, Hydrazine, Lead, Marine toxins, Mushroom poisoning, Norplant, Nutmeg, Opioid, Scombroid food poisoning, Rubbing alcohol, Solanine, Trichloroethylene,
Dermatologic	No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect	1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, 3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate, 5-HT3 antagonist, Abatacept Injection (patient information), Abciximab (patient information), Acamprosate (patient information), Acebutolol (patient information), Aceclofenac, Acetaminophen and Codeine (patient information), Acetohexamide (patient information), Acetylsalicylic acid (patient information), Acitretin (patient information), Aciclovir, Actiq, Acyclovir (patient information), Adalimumab Injection (patient information), Ajulemic acid, Alatrofloxacin Injection (patient information), Albuterol (patient information), Aldesleukin (patient information), Alendronate (patient information), Alfuzosin (patient information), Aliskiren (patient information), Alprazolam (patient information), Altretamine (patient information), Amantadine (patient information), Amifostine Injection (patient information), Amiloride and Hydrochlorothiazide (patient information), Amiodarone, Amitriptyline (patient information), Amlodipine (patient information), Amobarbital (patient information), Amphotericin B Injection (patient information), Ampicillin Sodium Injection (patient information), Anagrelide (patient information), Anastrozole (patient information), Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (patient information), Antihemophilic Factor (Human) (patient information), Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant) (patient information), Aprepitant (patient information), Aripiprazole (patient information), Asparaginase (patient information), Atazanavir (patient information), Atenolol (patient information), Atorvastatin (patient information), Atovaquone (patient information), Azelastine, Azithromycin, Baclofen Oral (patient information), Benazepril (patient information), Benzodiazepine, Benzonatate (patient information), Benztropine Mesylate Oral (patient information), Bepridil (patient information), Bethanechol (patient information), Bevacizumab Injection (patient information), Bezafibrate (patient information), Bicalutamide (patient information), Biperiden, Bisoprolol (patient information), Bortezomib (patient information), Bosentan (patient information), Bromocriptine, Brompheniramine (patient information), Budesonide Inhalation Powder (patient information), Bumetanide (patient information), Buspirone (patient information), Busulfan (patient information), Bupivacaine, Buprenorphine, Bupropion, Butalbital, Butanethiol, Butorphanol, Butabarbital (patient information), Cabergoline, Cafergot, Calanolide A, Candesartan (patient information), Capecitabine (patient information), Captopril (patient information), Carbamazepine (patient information), Carboplatin (patient information), Carisoprodol (patient information), Carteolol (patient information), Carvedilol (patient information), Cefaclor, Centrophenoxine, Cetuximab Injection (patient information), Chlorambucil (patient information), Chlordiazepoxide (patient information), Chloroform, Chlorothiazide (patient information), Chlorpheniramine (patient information), Chlorpropamide (patient information), Chloropyramine, Chlorthalidone (patient information), Chlorzoxazone (patient information), Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate (patient information), Ciclesonide Nasal Spray (patient information), Cilostazol (patient information), Cimetidine (patient information), Cinacalcet (patient information), Cinoxacin (patient information), Citalopram, Cladribine (patient information), Clarithromycin, Clemastine (patient information), Clofarabine Injection (patient information), Clofibrate (patient information), Clomipramine (patient information), Clonazepam (patient information), Clonidine, Clopidogrel (patient information), Clorazepate (patient information), Codeine Oral (patient information), Colistimethate Injection (patient information), Colofac, Co-trimoxazole Injection (patient information), Cyanocobalamin Injection (patient information), Cyclobenzaprine (patient information), Cyclosporine (patient information), Cyproheptadine (patient information), Dacarbazine (patient information), Dactinomycin (patient information), Dalteparin Sodium Injection (patient information), Dantrolene Oral (patient information), Daptomycin, Darbepoetin Alfa Injection (patient information), Desipramine, Desoxyn, Dexmethylphenidate, Dextromethorphan, Dezocine, Desloratadine (patient information), Dexamethasone Oral (patient information), Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine (patient information), Diazepam (patient information), Diampromide, Dicofol, Diethylcathinone, Dihydroetorphine, Dimenoxadol, Dinoprostone, Dioxaphetyl Butyrate, Dicyclomine (patient information), Didanosine (patient information), Diethylpropion (patient information), Diflunisal (patient information), Digoxin Oral (patient information), Diltiazem (patient information), Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine (patient information), Dipyridamole (patient information), Disopyramide (patient information), Dobutamine Hydrochloride Injection (patient information), Docetaxel (patient information), Dofetilide (patient information), Dolasetron (patient information), Donepezil (patient information), Dothiepin, Doxepin, Doxazosin (patient information), Duloxetine, Efavirenz (patient information), Emtricitabine (patient information), Enalapril (patient information), Enfuvirtide Injection (patient information), Enoxacin (patient information), Entacapone (patient information), Entecavir (patient information), Eplerenone (patient information), Epoetin Alfa Injection (patient information), Ergotamine and Caffeine (patient information), Ephedrine, Escitalopram, Estrogen, Ethcathinone, Ethchlorvynol, Ethoheptazine, Ethosuximide, Ethotoin, Estazolam (patient information), Eszopiclone (patient information), Etanercept Injection (patient information), Etodolac (patient information), Etoposide Oral and Injection (patient information), Exemestane (patient information), Exenatide Injection (patient information), Ezetimibe (patient information), Famotidine (patient information), Felodipine (patient information), Fenofibrate (patient information), Fenoprofen (patient information), Fentanyl Citrate Injection (patient information), Fexofenadine (patient information), Fioricet, Fluconazole, Flunitrazepam, Flurazepam, Fluvoxamine, Flavoxate (patient information), Floxuridine (patient information), Fludrocortisone Acetate (patient information), Fluticasone Oral Inhalation (patient information), Formoterol (patient information), Fosamprenavir (patient information), Fosinopril (patient information), Frovatriptan (patient information), Fulvestrant Injection (patient information), Furosemide (patient information), Gabapentin (patient information), Galantamine (patient information), Ganciclovir (patient information), Gatifloxacin (patient information), Gemcitabine Hydrochloride (patient information), Gemeprost, Gemfibrozil (patient information), Glatiramer Injection (patient information), Glimepiride (patient information), Glipizide (patient information), Glutaraldehyde, Glyburide (patient information), Glycopyrrolate (patient information), Granisetron (patient information), Grifulvin V, Griseofulvin (patient information), Guanabenz (patient information), Guanethidine (patient information), Guanfacine (patient information), Gyromitrin, H2 antagonist, Hydrochlorothiazide (patient information), Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Hydrocortisone Injection (patient information), Hydroxychloroquine (patient information), Hydroxyzine (patient information), Hyoscyamine (patient information), Ibandronate (patient information), Idarubicin (patient information), Ifosfamide (patient information), Imatinib (patient information), Imiglucerase Injection (patient information), Imipenem and Cilastatin Sodium Injection (patient information), Iloperidone, Imipramine, Immune Globulin Intravenous Injection (patient information), Indapamide (patient information), Indinavir (patient information), Indomethacin (patient information), Infliximab Injection (patient information), Influenza Vaccine, Inactivated (patient information), Influenza Vaccine, Live Intranasal (patient information), Indometacin, Insulin lispro injection (patient information), Interferon Alfa-2a and Alfa-2b Injection (patient information), Interferon Alfacon-1 Injection (patient information), Interferon beta-1a Intramuscular Injection (patient information), Ipratropium Oral Inhalation (patient information), Irbesartan (patient information), Isocarboxazid (patient information), Isoproterenol Oral Inhalation (patient information), Isosorbide (patient information), Isoxsuprine Oral (patient information), Isradipine (patient information), Itraconazole (patient information), Iodomethane, Isopropyl alcohol, Ivabradine, Kaopectate, Ketorolac, Labetalol Oral (patient information), Lacosamide, Lamivudine (patient information), Lamotrigine (patient information), Lanthanum (patient information), Leflunomide (patient information), Letrozole (patient information), Leuprolide (patient information), Levalbuterol Oral Inhalation (patient information), Levetiracetam (patient information), Levodopa and Carbidopa (patient information), Levofloxacin Oral (patient information), Levomethadyl (patient information), Levorphanol Oral (patient information), Lindane (patient information), Levobupivacaine, Lidocaine, Lithium, Lomotil, Lisinopril (patient information), Lomustine (patient information), Loratadine (patient information), Lorazepam (patient information), Losartan (patient information), Loxapine Oral (patient information), Lysuride, Magnesium gluconate (patient information), Magnesium oxide (patient information), Mechlorethamine (patient information), Medroxyprogesterone (patient information), Mefenamic Acid (patient information), Mefloquine (patient information), Megestrol (patient information), Melphalan (patient information), Memantine, Meperidine (patient information), Meropenem Injection (patient information), Mesoridazine Oral (patient information), Mercaptopurine, Metethoheptazine, Metaproterenol (patient information), Metaxalone (patient information), Metformin (patient information), Methimazole (patient information), Methocarbamol Oral (patient information), Methotrexate (patient information), Methyclothiazide (patient information), Methylprednisolone Oral (patient information), Metipranolol Ophthalmic (patient information), Metheptazine, Methoxsalen, Methylergonovine, Methylphenidate, Methyprylon, Metronidazole, Metoclopramide, Metolazone (patient information), Metoprolol (patient information), Mexiletine, Miglitol (patient information), Mifepristone, Minocycline Injection, Minoxidil Oral (patient information), Mitomycin (patient information), Modafinil (patient information), Moexipril (patient information), Moricizine (patient information), Morphine Oral (patient information), Motofen, Moxonidine, Mycophenolate (patient information), Nabilone (patient information), Nabumetone (patient information), Nadolol (patient information), Nalbuphine, Nalmefene, Nebivolol, N-Ethyl-3-piperidyl benzilate, Naratriptan (patient information), Natalizumab injection (patient information), Nateglinide oral (patient information), Nelfinavir (patient information), Nevirapine (patient information), Nicardipine (patient information), Nicotine gum (patient information), Nicotine lozenges (patient information), Nifedipine (patient information), Nilutamide (patient information), Nimodipine (patient information), Nisoldipine (patient information), Niaprazine, Nitrazepam, Nitrous oxide, N-Methyl-3-piperidyl benzilate, Nizatidine (patient information), Norethindrone (patient information), Ofloxacin oral (patient information), Olanzapine (patient information), Olmesartan (patient information), Omalizumab injection (patient information), Omeprazole (patient information), Ondansetron (patient information), Orphenadrine (patient information), Oseltamivir (patient information), Oxacillin Sodium Injection (patient information), Oxaliplatin injection (patient information), Oxazepam (patient information), Oxcarbazepine (patient information), Oxybutynin (patient information), Paclitaxel (patient information), Paroxetine, Pentamidine, Perhexiline, Paliperidone (patient information), Pamidronate injection (patient information), Pegaspargase (patient information), Peginterferon alfa-2a (patient information), Peginterferon alfa-2b (patient information), Pemetrexed injection (patient information), Pemoline (patient information), Penbutolol (patient information), Pentazocine and naloxone (patient information), Pentosan polysulfate (patient information), Pentostatin (patient information), Pentoxifylline (patient information), Pergolide (patient information), Perindopril (patient information), Perphenazine oral (patient information), Phenazopyridine (patient information), Phenampromide, Phenazepam, Phenelzine, Phenobarbital, Phentermine, Phenytoin, Pholcodine, Piribedil, Piroxicam, Pizotifen, Phenoxybenzamine (patient information), Phenylephrine (patient information), Pilocarpine ophthalmic (patient information), Pimozide (patient information), Pindolol (patient information), Pioglitazone (patient information), Pirbuterol acetate oral inhalation (patient information), Plicamycin (patient information), Posaconazole (patient information), Pramipexole (patient information), Pramlintide injection (patient information), Prazepam (patient information), Prazosin (patient information), Pregabalin (patient information), Praziquantel, Pregabalin, Primaquine (patient information), Probenecid (patient information), Procainamide (patient information), Procarbazine (patient information), Proheptazine, Promethazine, Propafenone, Propiram, Pseudoephedrine, Propantheline (patient information), Propoxyphene (patient information), Propranolol Oral (patient information), Propylthiouracil (patient information), Protriptyline (patient information), Quinidine Oral (patient information), Quazepam, Quetiapine, Quinapril, Quinethazone, Quinoline, Ramipril, Rabeprazole (patient information), Ramelteon (patient information), Ranibizumab injection (patient information), Ranitidine hydrochloride injection (patient information), Ranolazine (patient information), Rasagiline (patient information), Repaglinide (patient information), Reboxetine, Remacemide, Remifentanil, Reserpine, Ribavirin (patient information), Riluzole (patient information), Risedronate (patient information), Risperidone (patient information), Ritonavir (patient information), Rituximab injection (patient information), Rivastigmine (patient information), Rizatriptan (patient information), Roflumilast, Ropivacaine, Roxithromycin, Ropinirole (patient information), Rosiglitazone (patient information), Rosuvastatin (patient information), Salmeterol oral inhalation (patient information), Salsalate (patient information), Saquinavir (patient information), Sargramostim injection (patient information), Scopolamine patch (patient information), Selegiline (patient information), Sibutramine (patient information), Sitaxsentan, Sildenafil (patient information), Sodium oxybate (patient information), Sodium stibogluconate, Solifenacin (patient information), Sotalol (patient information), Sparfloxacin (patient information), Spironolactone (patient information), Stimulant laxatives (patient information), Sulfadiazine (patient information), Sulfisoxazole (patient information), Sulindac (patient information), Sulprostone, Sumatriptan, Tamoxifen (patient information), Tamsulosin (patient information), Tegaserod (patient information), Telbivudine (patient information), Telithromycin (patient information), Telmisartan (patient information), Temozolomide (patient information), Teniposide (patient information), Terbutaline (patient information), Teriparatide (rDNA origin) Injection (patient information), Testosterone Transdermal (patient information), Thioridazine (patient information), Thiotepa (patient information), Thiothixene Oral (patient information), Ticarcillin Disodium Injection (patient information), Tiludronate (patient information), Timolol Oral (patient information), Tizanidine (patient information), Tapentadol, Temazepam, Tetrabenazine, Tetrahydrocannabinol, Thiabendazole, Tiagabine, Tianeptine, Tinidazole, Topiramate, Tralomethrin, Tramadol, Trandolapril, Tocainide (patient information), Tolazamide (patient information), Tolbutamide (patient information), Tolcapone (patient information), Topotecan Hydrochloride (patient information), Torsemide Oral (patient information), Tranylcypromine (patient information), Trazodone, Treprostinil, Triamterene, Trichloroethylene, Triclofos, Tricyclic antidepressant, Trimetazidine, Tripelennamine, Tropisetron, Trastuzumab (patient information), Triamcinolone Oral (patient information), Triazolam (patient information), Trifluoperazine Oral (patient information), Trihexyphenidyl (patient information), Trimeprazine (patient information), Trimethobenzamide (patient information), Trimetrexate Glucuronate (patient information), Trimipramine (patient information), Trovafloxacin (patient information), Valaciclovir, Valproic acid, Valsartan, Vancomycin, Venlafaxine, Verapamil, Valganciclovir (patient information), Vardenafil (patient information), Vicodin, Vigabatrin, Vinyl chloride, Voriconazole (patient information), Vorinostat (patient information), Zaleplon (patient information), Zanamivir Inhalation (patient information), Zidovudine Oral (patient information), Zileuton (patient information), Ziprasidone (patient information), Ziconotide, Zopiclone, Zoledronic Acid Injection (patient information), Zolmitriptan Oral (patient information), Zolpidem (patient information), Zonisamide (patient information),
Ear Nose Throat	Balance disorder, Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Labyrinthitis, Ménière's disease, Otitis externa, Superior canal dehiscence, Vertigo, Vestibular neuronitis,
Endocrine	No underlying causes
Environmental	Multiple chemical sensitivity, Sick building syndrome,
Gastroenterologic	Food intolerance, Gastric dumping syndrome, Proctitis, Staphylococcal enteritis,
Genetic	Chediak-Higashi disease,
Hematologic	Haemochromatosis, Leukemia, Methemoglobinemia, Polycythemia,
Iatrogenic	No underlying causes
Infectious Disease	Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Giardia lamblia, Group A streptococcal infection, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Infectious mononucleosis, Marburg hemorrhagic fever, Rift Valley fever, Tularemia, Yellow Fever,
Musculoskeletal / Ortho	Cervical spondylosis,
Neurologic	Arnold-Chiari malformation, Multi-infarct dementia, Multiple sclerosis, Multiple system atrophy, Neuroglycopenia, Parkinson's disease, Posterior inferior cerebellar artery syndrome, Pure autonomic failure, Subdural hematoma, Syringobulbia, Transient ischaemic attack,
Nutritional / Metabolic	Hypervitaminosis A, Hypoglycemia, Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency,
Obstetric/Gynecologic	Aortocaval compression syndrome, Pregnancy,
Oncologic	Adrenal metastases Colorectal cancer, Medulloblastoma,
Opthalmologic	Aneisokonia, Bifocals, Cogan syndrome, Oscillopsia, Tunnel vision,
Overdose / Toxicity	Acetylsalicylic acid Alfuzosin , Aliskiren , Atropine, Acetylene, Aniline, Benztropine Mesylate, Benzylpiperazine, Bortezomib , Buspirone , Darbepoetin Alfa , Didanosine , Doxazosin , Eugenol, Fenoprofen , Fluticasone Inhalation, Ganciclovir , Grayanotoxin, Hydrogen sulfide, Metolachlor, Midazolam, Nicotine lozenges , Oxygen toxicity, Pimozide ,
Psychiatric	Algophobia, Panic disorder, Stendhal syndrome,
Pulmonary	Hyperventilation syndrome, Respiratory alkalosis,
Renal / Electrolyte	Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome,
Rheum / Immune / Allergy	Takayasu arteritis, Systemic lupus erythematosus,
Sexual	Coital cephalalgia, Emergency contraception,
Trauma	Concussion, Post-concussion syndrome, Suspension trauma,
Urologic	Testicular torsion,
Miscellaneous	Altitude sickness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic mountain sickness, Cinchonism, Decompression sickness, Dehydration, Gulf War syndrome, Hypotension, Mal de debarquement syndrome, Motion sickness, Orthostatic hypotension, Shock, Sleep deprivation, Syncope,

Causes in Alphabetical Order

1,1,1-Trichloroethane 1,4-Dichlorobenzene 3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate 5-HT3 antagonist Abatacept Injection (patient information) Abciximab (patient information) Acamprosate (patient information) ACE inhibitor Acebutolol (patient information) Aceclofenac Acetaminophen and Codeine (patient information) Acetohexamide (patient information) Acetylene Acetylsalicylic acid (patient information) Aciclovir Acitretin (patient information) Actiq Acyclovir (patient information) Adalimumab Injection (patient information) Adrenal metastases Ajulemic acid Alatrofloxacin Injection (patient information) Albuterol (patient information) Alcohol flush reaction Aldesleukin (patient information) Alefacept Alendronate (patient information) Alfuzosin (patient information) Algophobia Aliskiren (patient information) Alprazolam (patient information) Altitude sickness Altretamine (patient information) Amantadine (patient information) Amifostine Injection (patient information) Amiloride and Hydrochlorothiazide (patient information) Amiodarone Amitriptyline (patient information) Amlodipine (patient information) Amnesic shellfish poisoning Amobarbital (patient information) Amphotericin B Injection (patient information) Ampicillin Sodium Injection (patient information) Amyl nitrite Anagrelide (patient information) Anastrozole (patient information) Aneisokonia Anesthesia Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (patient information) Angiotensin II receptor antagonist Aniline Antihemophilic Factor (Human) (patient information) Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant) (patient information) Antihistamine Antimony Antiretroviral drug Aortic Stenosis Aortic valve stenosis Aortocaval compression syndrome Aprepitant (patient information) Aripiprazole (patient information) Arnold-Chiari malformation Asparaginase (patient information) Aspirin Atazanavir (patient information) Atenolol (patient information) Atorvastatin (patient information) Atovaquone (patient information) Atrial flutter Atrial myxoma Atropine Azelastine Azithromycin Baclofen Oral (patient information) Balance disorder Benazepril (patient information) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo Benzene Benzodiazepine Benzonatate (patient information) Benztropine Mesylate Oral (patient information) Benzylpiperazine Bepridil (patient information) Bethanechol (patient information) Bevacizumab Injection (patient information) Bezafibrate (patient information) Bicalutamide (patient information) Bifocals Biperiden Bisoprolol (patient information) Bortezomib (patient information) Bosentan (patient information) Bothrops Bromocriptine Bromomethane Brompheniramine (patient information) Budesonide Inhalation Powder (patient information) Bumetanide (patient information) Bupivacaine Buprenorphine Bupropion Buspirone (patient information) Busulfan (patient information) Butabarbital (patient information) Butalbital Butanethiol Butorphanol Cabergoline Cadmium poisoning Cafergot Calanolide A Candesartan (patient information) Capecitabine (patient information) Captopril (patient information) Carbamazepine (patient information) Carbon monoxide poisoning Carboplatin (patient information) Cardiac amyloidosis Cardiomegaly Carisoprodol (patient information) Carteolol (patient information) Carvedilol (patient information) Cefaclor Centrophenoxine Cerebrovascular disease Cervical spondylosis Cetuximab Injection (patient information) Chediak-Higashi disease Chlorambucil (patient information) Chlordiazepoxide (patient information) Chloroform Chloropyramine Chlorothiazide (patient information) Chlorpheniramine (patient information) Chlorpropamide (patient information) Chlorthalidone (patient information) Chlorzoxazone (patient information) Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate (patient information) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Chronic mountain sickness Ciclesonide Nasal Spray (patient information) Cilostazol (patient information) Cimetidine (patient information) Cinacalcet (patient information) Cinchonism Cinoxacin (patient information) Citalopram Cladribine (patient information) Clarithromycin Clemastine (patient information) Clofarabine Injection (patient information) Clofibrate (patient information) Clomipramine (patient information) Clonazepam (patient information) Clonidine Clopidogrel (patient information) Clorazepate (patient information) Codeine Oral (patient information) Cogan syndrome Coital cephalalgia Colistimethate Injection (patient information) Colofac Colorectal cancer Concussion Co-trimoxazole Injection (patient information) Cyanocobalamin Injection (patient information) Cyanogen Cyclobenzaprine (patient information) Cyclosporine (patient information) Cyproheptadine (patient information) Dacarbazine (patient information) Dactinomycin (patient information) Dalteparin Sodium Injection (patient information) Dantrolene Oral (patient information) Daptomycin Darbepoetin Alfa Injection (patient information) Decompression sickness Dehydration Desipramine Desloratadine (patient information) Desoxyn Dexamethasone Oral (patient information) Dexmethylphenidate Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine (patient information) Dextromethorphan Dezocine Diampromide Diazepam (patient information) Dicofol Dicyclomine (patient information) Didanosine (patient information) Diethylcathinone Diethylpropion (patient information) Diflunisal (patient information) Digoxin Oral (patient information) Dihydroetorphine Diltiazem (patient information) Dimenoxadol Dinoprostone Dioxaphetyl Butyrate Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine (patient information) Dipyridamole (patient information) Disopyramide (patient information) Dobutamine Hydrochloride Injection (patient information) Docetaxel (patient information) Dofetilide (patient information) Dolasetron (patient information) Donepezil (patient information) Dothiepin Doxazosin (patient information) Doxepin Duloxetine Ebola hemorrhagic fever ECA stack Efavirenz (patient information) Emergency contraception Emtricitabine (patient information) Enalapril (patient information) Enfuvirtide Injection (patient information) Enoxacin (patient information) Entacapone (patient information) Entecavir (patient information) Ephedra Ephedrine Eplerenone (patient information) Epoetin Alfa Injection (patient information) Ergotamine and Caffeine (patient information) Escitalopram Estazolam (patient information) Estrogen Eszopiclone (patient information) Etanercept Injection (patient information) Ethcathinone Ethchlorvynol Ethoheptazine Ethosuximide Ethotoin Ethylene Etodolac (patient information) Etoposide Oral and Injection (patient information) Eugenol Exemestane (patient information) Exenatide Injection (patient information) Ezetimibe (patient information)

Familial atrial fibrillation Famotidine (patient information) Felodipine (patient information) Fenofibrate (patient information) Fenoprofen (patient information) Fentanyl Citrate Injection (patient information) Fexofenadine (patient information) Fioricet Flavoxate (patient information) Floxuridine (patient information) Fluconazole Fludrocortisone Acetate (patient information) Flunitrazepam Flurazepam Fluticasone Oral Inhalation (patient information) Fluvoxamine Food intolerance Formoterol (patient information) Fosamprenavir (patient information) Fosinopril (patient information) Frovatriptan (patient information) Fulvestrant Injection (patient information) Furfural Furosemide (patient information) Gabapentin (patient information) Galantamine (patient information) Ganciclovir (patient information) Gastric dumping syndrome Gatifloxacin (patient information) Gemcitabine Hydrochloride (patient information) Gemeprost Gemfibrozil (patient information) Giardia lamblia Ginkgo Glatiramer Injection (patient information) Glimepiride (patient information) Glipizide (patient information) Glutaraldehyde Glyburide (patient information) Glycopyrrolate (patient information) Granisetron (patient information) Grayanotoxin Green Tobacco Sickness Grifulvin V Griseofulvin (patient information) Group A streptococcal infection Guanabenz (patient information) Guanethidine (patient information) Guanfacine (patient information) Gulf War syndrome Gyromitra esculenta Gyromitrin H2 antagonist Haemochromatosis Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome Heavy metal ingestion Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome Hydrazine Hydrochlorothiazide (patient information) Hydrocodone Hydrocortisone Injection (patient information) Hydrogen sulfide Hydromorphone Hydroxychloroquine (patient information) Hydroxyzine (patient information) Hyoscyamine (patient information) Hypertension Hyperventilation syndrome Hypervitaminosis A Hypoglycemia Hypotension Ibandronate (patient information) Idarubicin (patient information) Ifosfamide (patient information) Iloperidone Imatinib (patient information) Imiglucerase Injection (patient information) Imipenem and Cilastatin Sodium Injection (patient information) Imipramine Immune Globulin Intravenous Injection (patient information) Inappropriate sinus tachycardia Indapamide (patient information) Indinavir (patient information) Indometacin Indomethacin (patient information) Infectious mononucleosis Infliximab Injection (patient information) Influenza Vaccine, Inactivated (patient information) Influenza Vaccine, Live Intranasal (patient information) Insulin lispro injection (patient information) Interferon Alfa-2a and Alfa-2b Injection (patient information) Interferon Alfacon-1 Injection (patient information) Interferon beta-1a Intramuscular Injection (patient information) Iodomethane Ipratropium Oral Inhalation (patient information) Irbesartan (patient information) Isocarboxazid (patient information) Isopropyl alcohol Isoproterenol Oral Inhalation 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Risk Factors

• People with heart problems
• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis
• Seizures
• Brain tumors
• Benign positional vertigo
• Labyrinthitis

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Most causes of dizziness are not serious and either quickly get better on their own or are easily treated.

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

• Does your dizziness feel like light-headedness, vertigo, or imbalance?
• Does your dizziness occur with a change in body position?
• What other symptoms occur when you feel dizzy?
• When did your dizziness begin?
• Are you always dizzy or does the dizziness come and go?
• How long does the dizziness last (minutes, hours)?
• Did another illness develop before or after the dizziness began? How much later?
• Have you had any nausea and vomiting?
• Do you have a significant amount of stress or anxiety?

Treatment

Medical Therapy

If you tend to get light-headed when you stand up, avoid sudden changes in posture.

If you are thirsty or light-headed, drink fluids. If you are unable to keep fluids down from nausea or vomiting, you may need intravenous fluids. These are delivered to you at the hospital.

Most times, benign positional vertigo and labyrinthitis go away on their own within a few weeks. During attacks of vertigo from any cause, try to rest and lie still. Avoid sudden changes in your position as well as bright lights. Be cautious about driving or using machinery.

Some vertigo can be reduced by working with a physical therapist. Medications from your doctor may help you feel better.

Such medications include antihistamines, sedatives, or pills for nausea. For Meniere's disease, surgery may be necessary.

Primary Prevention

Promptly treat ear infections, colds, flu, sinus congestion, and other respiratory infections. This may help prevent labyrinthitis and Meniere's disease.

If you have a cold, the flu, or other viral illness, drink plenty of fluids to prevent getting dehydrated.

Related Chapters

• Motion sickness
• Balance disorder
• Vertigo
• Pre-syncope
• Disequilibrium

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