Lightheadedness and vertigo overview

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]

Overview

Lightheadedness is a common and often unpleasant sensation of dizziness and/or feeling that one may be about to faint, which may be transient, recurrent, or occasionally chronic. In some cases, the individual may feel as though his or her head is weightless. It can be simply an indication of a temporary shortage of blood or oxygen to the brain, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, or anemia. It can also be a symptom of many other conditions, some of them serious, such as heart disease, stroke, or bleeding.

Vertigo, a specific type of dizziness, is a major symptom of a balance disorder. It is the sensation of spinning or swaying while the body is stationary with respect to the earth or surroundings. There are two types of vertigo: subjective and objective. Subjective vertigo is when a person feels a false sensation of movement. Objective vertigo is when the surroundings will appear to move past a person's field of vision.

The effects of vertigo may be slight. It can cause nausea and vomiting and, if severe, may give rise to difficulty with standing and walking.

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