Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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General health information

Dizziness

Dizziness can mean spinning, unsteadiness, light-headedness or nearly fainting. Causes range from dehydration, a drop in blood pressure and medicines to an ear, heart or neurological problem. The exact sensation, onset, duration, position and accompanying symptoms determine urgency. New stroke signs, chest pain or unconsciousness are emergencies.

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  • Dizziness may mean vertigo, nearly fainting, imbalance or a floating sensation that is hard to describe.
  • Timing, triggers and accompanying symptoms help identify the cause more than severity alone.
  • Many causes are treatable and not dangerous, but heart problems, stroke, bleeding and severe dehydration must be recognised promptly.
  • Sit or lie down, prevent falls and do not drive a vehicle while you have symptoms.
  • Home measurements may help but do not rule out a serious cause; consider the whole symptom pattern.
  • A sudden neurological problem, unconsciousness, chest pain or severe breathlessness requires Ambulance 912.

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Further reading

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LightheadednessLightheadedness differs from spinning dizziness. It often feels as though you may faint, become hazy or lose consciousness, especially on standing or during exertion. Causes range from harmless to serious: insufficient fluids, a drop in blood pressure, blood loss, low blood sugar, medicines, an abnormal heart rhythm or a neurological problem. Describe exactly how it feels and watch for warning signs such as chest pain, loss of neurological function, fainting or black stools.
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Low blood pressureLow blood pressure is not always an illness. Some people naturally have lower blood pressure without symptoms. It becomes a problem when the brain or other organs receive too little blood. Causes range from a drop on standing and dehydration to bleeding, sepsis, heart problems or medicines. Associated falls, fainting, fever, blood loss or breathlessness determine urgency.
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Ménière’s diseaseMénière’s disease is an inner ear condition with attacks of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus and a feeling of fullness in one or both ears. New loss of neurological function, sudden deafness in one ear or dizziness clearly different from previous attacks requires prompt assessment.