What conditions can cause dizziness?
Experiencing dizziness can be both concerning and disorienting. While dizziness is a common symptom, its underlying causes can be varied and complex. The list below provides an overview of several conditions that can be linked to dizziness. It’s important to remember that dizziness can stem from various sources, and a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This guide aims to offer insight and clarity, aiding you in your journey to better health.
Acoustic Neuroma
Acoustic Neuroma, also known as vestibular schwannoma, is a benign tumor that grows on the nerve connecting the ear to the brain. While it’s non-cancerous, its location can interfere with balance and hearing. As it grows, it can exert pressure on the nerve, leading to symptoms like dizziness, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Learn more about Acoustic Neuroma.
Aneurysm
Aneurysms are bulges in blood vessels caused by weakened vessel walls. When they develop in the brain, they can press against certain structures or potentially rupture, leading to bleeding. This can result in symptoms including sudden and severe headaches, blurred vision, and dizziness.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms that can disrupt the regular flow of blood. When the brain doesn’t receive sufficient blood, symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or light-headedness can occur. The sensation often feels like a brief loss of balance.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis involves the hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup. As it progresses, blood flow to the brain can be reduced, leading to transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or strokes. Dizziness is a common symptom, often accompanied by other neurological signs.
Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease
This condition arises when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the inner ear structures. The resulting inflammation can lead to hearing loss and balance disruptions. Dizziness, tinnitus, and vertigo are frequent symptoms of this disorder. Learn more about Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo. It’s characterized by short, intense episodes of dizziness that can occur with head movements. Caused by tiny calcium particles becoming lodged in the inner ear, it leads to brief but intense feelings of spinning. Learn more about Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).
Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD)
BVD is a general term for problems with how the two eyes work together. Normally, each eye sends a picture to the brain. The brain blends the two pictures into one clear image. This also helps you judge distance and depth. With BVD, the eyes may not line up, focus, move, or work together as they should. The brain may have trouble joining the two pictures into one clear image. Learn more about Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD).
Carotid Sinus Reflex
The carotid sinus reflex can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when the neck is manipulated or compressed. This drop in pressure can lead to dizziness or fainting. The condition is often diagnosed through carotid sinus massage tests.
Central Vestibular Disorders
Central Vestibular Disorders originate from problems in the brain or its connecting nerves. Unlike peripheral disorders that affect the inner ear, central ones are related to the brain’s processing of balance signals. Common symptoms include dizziness, unsteadiness, and difficulties with coordination.
Cervicogenic Dizziness
Cervicogenic dizziness arises from issues in the neck. Often a result of neck injuries or inflammation, this kind of dizziness is associated with neck movement and posture. Unlike other forms of dizziness, it’s not usually accompanied by nausea or vomiting. Learn more about cervicogenic dizziness.
Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum. As it expands, it can cause pressure, leading to hearing loss, dizziness, and balance problems. It may also damage the delicate structures of the middle and inner ear.
Concussion
A concussion is a mild brain injury that occurs because of an impact or jolt to the head or body. It can affect the vestibular system and disrupt balance, vision, and thinking. Common symptoms include dizziness, headaches, unsteadiness, and brain fog. Learn more about Concussions.
Dehydration
Dehydration reduces the amount of blood circulating through the body. This reduced blood volume can lead to a drop in blood pressure, causing dizziness and lightheadedness. Other symptoms might include dry mouth, fatigue, and rapid heartbeat.
Disequilibrium
Disequilibrium is a sensation of unsteadiness or a loss of balance. It can arise from various causes, such as inner ear issues, vision problems, or neurological disorders. People often describe it as feeling shaky or wobbly when walking.
Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct
An enlarged vestibular aqueduct is a congenital condition where the inner ear’s vestibular aqueduct is larger than usual. This can result in hearing loss and episodes of dizziness or vertigo, particularly after head injuries or sudden pressure changes. Learn more about Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct (EVA).
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is characterized by chronic anxiety and excessive worry. The physical manifestations of this anxiety can include dizziness, lightheadedness, or feelings of unsteadiness. These symptoms are often accompanied by rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath. Learn more about anxiety with dizziness.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can lead to various symptoms as the body tries to manage elevated glucose levels. These symptoms can include frequent urination, increased thirst, and dizziness, especially when standing up. Persistent hyperglycemia might be indicative of diabetes or another underlying condition.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia refers to dangerously low blood sugar levels. When the brain doesn’t receive enough glucose, symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, sweating, and even fainting can occur. It’s crucial for individuals, especially diabetics, to recognize and treat hypoglycemia promptly.
Hypotension
Hypotension, or low blood pressure, can lead to insufficient blood flow to the brain. This can manifest as dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue, and nausea. Episodes can be triggered by dehydration, certain medications, or sudden changes in posture.
Labyrinthine Concussion
Labyrinthine concussion refers to inner ear dysfunction following head trauma. Even if the injury doesn’t directly impact the ear, trauma can cause temporary dizziness, vertigo, or hearing disturbances. Symptoms usually resolve with time, but medical evaluation is essential. Learn more about Labyrinthine Concussion.
Mal de Débarquement
Mal de débarquement syndrome (MdDS) is a sensation of rocking or swaying that persists after a person has stopped moving, typically following a sea voyage or flight. This continuous feeling of movement can lead to dizziness, unsteadiness, and fatigue, often lasting for extended periods. Learn more about Mal de Débarquement (MdDS).
Medications
Many medications list dizziness as a potential side effect. This can result from effects on blood pressure, ototoxicity, or other mechanisms. Care-seekers are advised to consult their physicians if they experience dizziness after starting a new medication.
Ménière’s Disease
Ménière’s disease is a chronic condition affecting the inner ear, characterized by episodic vertigo, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The exact cause is unknown, but it’s believed to result from an abnormal amount of fluid in the inner ear. Learn more about Ménière’s Disease.
Middle Ear Pressure
Changes in middle ear pressure, often resulting from altitude variations or sinus congestion, can cause discomfort, hearing loss, and dizziness. Such changes can lead to conditions like barotrauma, especially during rapid altitude shifts like during air travel or scuba diving.
Migraine Associated Vertigo (MAV)
MAV is a type of migraine that causes vertigo. Beyond the typical migraine symptoms of headache, light and sound sensitivity, and nausea, people with MAV experience episodes of dizziness, spinning sensations, or balance problems, making it distinct from regular migraines.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
MS is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. While known for symptoms like muscle weakness and vision problems, dizziness and vertigo are also common in MS care-seekers, often stemming from lesions in specific areas of the brain.
Orthostatic Hypotension (OH)
OH is a form of low blood pressure that occurs when transitioning from sitting or lying down to standing. This sudden drop can lead to dizziness or fainting. It can be caused by dehydration, certain medications, or underlying medical conditions.
Otitis Media
Otitis media refers to an infection or inflammation of the middle ear. While it primarily causes ear pain and potential hearing loss, it can occasionally lead to dizziness if the inner ear or balance mechanisms are affected.
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is a bone disorder of the inner ear, leading to progressive hearing loss. In some cases, it can affect the balance mechanisms of the ear, causing dizziness or a sense of unsteadiness, especially when it progresses quickly.
Ototoxicity
Ototoxicity happens when certain medications or chemicals damage the inner ear. This can lead to tinnitus, hearing loss, and dizziness. Some medications known for ototoxicity include certain antibiotics, diuretics, and chemotherapy drugs. Learn more about Ototoxicity.
Perilymph Fistula
Perilymph fistula is a condition where there’s a tear or defect in one of the small, thin membranes that separate the inner ear from the middle ear. This can allow inner ear fluid to leak into the middle ear, leading to symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. Learn more about Perilymph Fistula.
Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (3PD/PPPD)
PPPD is a chronic functional balance disorder. Care-seekers often describe a persistent sensation of dizziness and unsteadiness, especially when upright, moving, or exposed to complex visual environments. It often emerges after an event that causes vertigo, even though the initial symptoms have resolved. Learn more about Persistent Postural – Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD).
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
POTS is a condition where the heart rate increases significantly upon standing. This can lead to symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, and occasionally fainting. POTS is a form of dysautonomia, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. Learn more about Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
Secondary Endolymphatic Hydrops
Secondary endolymphatic hydrops is a disorder of the inner ear causing fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, ear fullness, and dizziness. Unlike Ménière’s disease, it has a known cause, such as trauma or surgery, but shares similar symptoms due to excess fluid in the inner ear. Learn more about Secondary Endolymphatic Hydrops.
Spatial Disorientation
Spatial disorientation is the inability to determine one’s position, motion, and altitude relative to the earth’s surface. This means your brain has trouble knowing where your body is in space or how it is moving. It is often experienced by pilots in low visibility conditions, but it can also occur in everyday situations. It may make you feel dizzy, off-balance, or like the room is moving around you.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted. This can cause a sudden onset of dizziness or vertigo, coupled with other neurological symptoms like weakness on one side, difficulty speaking, or vision problems. Immediate medical attention is essential.
Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS)
SCDS is a condition where a thinning or absence of the bone overlying the superior semicircular canal of the inner ear occurs. This can lead to symptoms like dizziness, balance problems, and hearing disturbances, often triggered by loud noises or changes in ear pressure. Learn more about Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS).
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A TIA, often termed a “mini-stroke,” involves a temporary disruption in blood flow to the brain. While its effects are short-lived, it can lead to symptoms similar to a full stroke, including dizziness, confusion, and unsteadiness. TIAs serve as crucial warnings for potential future strokes.
Vascular Compression of the Vestibular Nerve
Vascular compression occurs when a blood vessel presses on the vestibular nerve, which is responsible for balance. This pressure can cause dizziness or vertigo, often accompanied by hearing symptoms. Diagnosis and treatment require a combination of imaging and potential surgical intervention.
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency (VBI)
VBI is a condition where blood flow to the back of the brain is compromised, usually due to arterial blockage or narrowing. This can lead to symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, coordination problems, and visual disturbances, reflecting the regions of the brain affected by reduced blood supply.
Vestibular Migraine (VM)
Vestibular Migraine is a type of migraine that specifically affects balance. Care-seekers with VM experience vertigo spells that can last minutes to hours, sometimes without the typical migraine headache. It’s accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound, and possibly visual auras. Learn more about Vestibular Migraine.
Vestibular Neuritis / Labyrinthitis
Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis involve inflammation of the inner ear or the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain. While both cause sudden and severe vertigo, Labyrinthitis also leads to hearing loss. Viral infections are the typical culprits, so the symptoms (vertigo and hearing loss) often improve over several weeks. Learn more about Vestibular Neuritis/Labyrinthitis.
Vestibular Paroxysmia
Vestibular Paroxysmia is characterized by short, recurrent episodes of vertigo. It is believed to result from neurovascular cross-compression of the vestibular nerve. These vertigo spells can last seconds to minutes and can be triggered by certain head movements. Learn more about Vestibular Paroxysmia (VP).
Visual Vertigo
Visual vertigo, also called visually induced dizziness, is a group of symptoms that can make busy or moving visual places feel overwhelming. It can happen when the brain relies too much on vision for balance or has trouble matching what the eyes see with signals from the inner ear and body. Learn more about Visual Vertigo.