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What am I lacking if I feel dizzy?


Feeling dizzy or lightheaded is a common symptom that can have many different causes. Dizziness refers to a sense of spinning, swaying, or loss of balance. It can often be accompanied by other symptoms like fainting, nausea, vomiting, headache, vision changes, and more. Understanding the potential causes of dizziness can help identify any nutritional deficiencies or underlying health issues.

Some potential reasons for feeling dizzy include:

Dehydration

One of the most common reasons for dizziness is simply not drinking enough fluids. When the body is dehydrated, blood volume drops which reduces blood flow to the brain and other organs. Staying properly hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day is key. Thirst isn’t always a reliable indicator of fluid needs, so aim for around 2 liters or 8 cups of total fluid intake daily.

Low Blood Sugar

Also known as hypoglycemia, low blood sugar can trigger dizziness along with fatigue, headache, confusion, shakes, and irritability. This is most common in people with diabetes who take insulin or medications that lower blood sugar, but it can happen to anyone. Eating regular meals and snacks with a mix of complex carbs, protein and fat helps stabilize blood sugar. Keeping quick-acting carbs on hand in case blood sugar crashes is also wise.

Low Blood Pressure

Also referred to as hypotension, abnormally low blood pressure reduces blood flow to the brain which can result in lightheadedness. Dehydration, certain medications, pregnancy, nutritional deficiencies, heart conditions, and bleeding can all contribute to low blood pressure. Staying hydrated along with slowly moving from lying to sitting to standing can help prevent drops in blood pressure.

Vestibular Dysfunction

Problems with the inner ear, brain pathways, or nerves connecting them can all impact the vestibular system which controls balance and spatial orientation. This sensory mismatch makes you feel unsteady on your feet. Vertigo is a type of dizziness producing a sense of spinning. Vestibular dysfunction can be caused by aging, infections, head injury, stroke, or other neurological disorders.

Malnutrition

Not getting adequate macro and micronutrients from your diet can potentially lead to weakness, fatigue, and dizziness. Deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, folate, thiamine, vitamin D, magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium are examples that could contribute to feeling lightheaded if deficient. Eating a balanced diet plus addressing any underlying digestive issues can help improve nutrient absorption.

Deconditioning

Being sedentary and having weak muscles, poor balance and altered blood pressure regulation can make someone prone to dizziness, especially when changing positions. Staying active with aerobic exercise, strength training, yoga, Tai Chi or other balance exercises helps reduce risk of lightheadedness by conditioning the heart and blood vessels and improving proprioception.

Anemia

Lacking sufficient red blood cells (RBCs) due to blood loss, low production or high destruction defines anemia. Because RBCs carry oxygen throughout the body, anemia can impair oxygen delivery making you feel weak and dizzy. Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes. Anemia needs proper diagnosis and treatment with diet, supplements or medication.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A drop in blood pressure when moving from lying down to standing upright is known as orthostatic or postural hypotension. It causes dizziness or fainting when standing up too quickly. Contributing factors include dehydration, medications, blood vessel dysfunction, prolonged bed rest, diabetes, and neurological disorders. Rising slowly plus hydrating and tightening leg muscles can help.

Heart Conditions

Various heart problems can manifest as dizziness including valve disorders, arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. Each condition can impair blood flow in a different way. Receiving proper diagnosis and treatment from a cardiologist for the underlying issue is key. Lifestyle improvements like a heart healthy diet and exercise are also beneficial.

Stroke

A stroke that impacts blood flow to the brain can lead to sudden dizziness along with numbness, confusion, trouble speaking, vision loss or a severe headache. Ischemic strokes block blood vessels, while hemorrhagic strokes cause bleeding. Immediate emergency medical treatment is vital at the first signs of a stroke. Prompt treatment can help minimize brain damage.

Severe Dehydration

Losing excessive amounts of fluid from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or heavy sweating can cause acute dehydration. Blood volume drops severely which strains circulation and makes you feel dizzy. Replacing lost electrolytes as well as water is crucial. Seeking medical treatment for severe dehydration may be needed if it doesn’t improve with hydration efforts at home.

Heat Exhaustion

Prolonged exposure to high heat that outpaces fluid loss can overwhelm the body and cause heat exhaustion. Excessive sweating, headache, nausea, and dizziness are common signs. Moving to a cool location, drinking electrolyte-rich beverages, and cooling down with cold compresses or an ice bath allows recovery in mild cases. More severe heat exhaustion requires emergency medical care.

Medication Side Effects

Dizziness is a commonly reported side effect for many prescription and over-the-counter medications. The elderly are especially susceptible. Reviewing all medications with a doctor or pharmacist and adjusting dosages or timing of doses can often alleviate medication-induced dizziness. Changing drugs may be an option if side effects persist.

Infections

Headaches, congestion, coughing, fever, and dizziness are hallmark symptoms of many different viral and bacterial infections like the cold, flu, sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, and COVID-19. The body’s inflammatory response plus fluid loss contribute to dizziness. Resting, staying hydrated, and waiting for the infection to pass aids recovery. Some infections may require prescribed medication for resolution.

Ménière’s Disease

A disorder of the inner ear, Ménière’s disease causes episodes of vertigo along with ringing ears, hearing loss, and a sense of pressure or fullness in the ear. It stems from a buildup of fluid in the inner ear. Treatments aim to manage symptoms and limit frequency of dizzy spells through lifestyle modifications, medications, and sometimes surgery.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV develops when calcium particles shift into the semicircular canals of the inner ear, triggering dizziness spells. It provokes brief moments of spinning vertigo when moving the head a certain way. A physical therapist trained in canalith repositioning maneuvers can relocate the particles, providing symptom relief. Avoiding the provocative head motions also helps limit attacks.

Panic Attacks & Anxiety

Feelings of intense fear and anxiety during a panic attack manifest physically with sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, pounding heart, dizziness, and chills. The abrupt blood pressure and respiratory changes affect the brain’s homeostasis. Effective stress-relief practices like cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, and medications can prevent recurrent attacks.

Motion Sickness

Being a passenger in a car, boat, plane, amusement park ride and other kinetic environments can instigate nausea, dizziness and vomiting in those prone to motion sickness. It’s caused by conflicting messages relayed to the brain by the inner ear, eyes and other body receptors. Behavioral and pharmaceutical measures including desensitization, anticholinergics, antihistamines and ginger can provide relief.

Low Blood Oxygen

Normal blood oxygen saturation levels at sea level range from 95-100%. Levels under 90% are considered low and can indicate health problems that make it harder to oxygenate blood like chronic lung disease, sleep apnea, heart defects, anemia, or living at high altitudes. Checking with a doctor is wise since chronically low oxygen can damage organs and cause dizziness.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in nerve function and red blood cell formation. Low levels are common with aging, vegan diets, digestive disorders, diabetes medications, and other nutrient absorption issues. A vitamin B12 deficiency can contribute to pernicious anemia, neurologic problems, fatigue and dizziness. Supplements, shots and dietary sources can correct a deficiency.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Insufficient iron intake, absorption issues, and blood loss are common causes of iron deficiency. Since iron is essential for hemoglobin production in red blood cells, low levels impair oxygen transport. Iron deficiency anemia can provoke weakness, headaches, pale skin, shortness of breath and dizziness. Iron rich foods, vitamins, intravenous iron or blood transfusions help correct it.

Inner Ear Infections

Bacterial or viral infections of the inner ear structures like the cochlea or labyrinth can lead to both hearing loss and severe dizziness. The vestibular nerve becomes inflamed. Antibiotics typically treat inner ear infections that stem from an upper respiratory infection or sinus issue spreading to the ears. Seeking prompt medical treatment speeds recovery.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis describes inflammation of the inner ear labyrinth from a virus infection or autoimmune reaction. It generates vertigo, hearing changes, ear pressure and imbalance issues. Antivirals and steroids may be given for treatment. Balance therapy helps retrain the brain to resolve the mismatch between what the eyes see and inner ear feels that provokes dizziness.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Inhaling toxic levels of carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in the blood, starving tissues of oxygen. Headache, nausea, and dizziness are early CO poisoning signs. Continued exposure causes flu-like symptoms, confusion, seizures, unconsciousness and eventually death. Installing CO detectors in at-risk areas, avoiding gas-powered machines indoors, and immediate medical treatment aid in recovery.

Diet Extremely Low In Calories

Consuming well under your daily calorie needs for an extended time stresses the body. Very low calorie diets under 800 calories per day disrupt hormone function, dehydrate the body, and deprive it of energy and essential nutrients. Dizziness, fatigue, irritability, and headaches are common side effects pointing to the need to increase food intake.

Low Blood Volume

Hypovolemia refers to abnormally low blood volume, often from dehydration or blood loss, which reduces blood flow. Inadequate fluid intake, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, bleeding ulcers, kidney disease, burns and traumatic injuries can trigger it. Dizziness, rapid heart rate, confusion and fatigue may develop. Intravenous fluids help restore volume fast.

Presyncope

Also referred to as near fainting or pre-syncope, this lightheadedness indicates the body is losing consciousness and about to faint. Any of the causes of dizziness can progress to presyncope if severe enough to diminish blood flow to the brain. Sitting or lying down quickly and taking measures to improve blood flow prevents actual loss of consciousness.

Low Magnesium

Magnesium supports nerve conduction, muscle function, blood pressure regulation, energy metabolism and more. Sweating, gastrointestinal issues, diabetes, medications, and consuming highly processed foods increase magnesium loss risk. Deficiency can manifest as muscle cramps, fatigue, numbness, dizziness and arrhythmias. Magnesium rich foods, Epsom salt baths, and supplements correct low levels.

Low Potassium

A electrolyte imbalance of low blood potassium, aka hypokalemia, can result from diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, kidney disorders, and medications like diuretics and laxatives. Since potassium regulates heart rhythms and muscle function, deficiency causes weakness, cramps, palpitations, and dizziness. High potassium foods plus supplements or prescription potassium correct dangerously low levels.

Low Sodium

Also referred to as hyponatremia, having abnormally low sodium levels in the blood is most often due to excessive water intake diluting sodium stores. Low sodium depletes body fluids. The resulting drop in blood volume and pressure provokes headache, confusion, fatigue, nausea, muscle cramps and dizziness. Consuming adequate salt and limiting excess fluids prevents dangerously low sodium levels.

Malnutrition

Consuming too little protein, fat, carbs, vitamins or minerals over time can lead to malnutrition. Poor appetite, digestive issues, injuries, chronic diseases, surgeries, eating disorders and alcoholism increase malnutrition risks. Dizziness results from low energy, blood volume and oxygen transport. Getting adequate nutrition improves protein, fluid and electrolyte status crucial for homeostasis.

Side Effects of Medications

Numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications list dizziness as a potential side effect. Blood pressure medications, diuretics, sedatives, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, narcotics, anticholinergics, and antihistamines are some examples. Adjusting dosage or timing, adding hydration, or changing to an alternative medication can often minimize dizziness symptoms.

Alcohol Abuse

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol depletes vital nutrients and dehydrates the body. Alcohol also lowers blood pressure and dilates blood vessels. The combination of dehydration, lower blood volume and blood pressure changes affects the brain. Binge and heavy chronic drinking also damage the brain and nerves long-term. Cutting back or quitting helps resolve alcohol-related dizziness.

Illegal Drug Use

Various illicit and recreational drugs like cocaine, heroin, inhalants, marijuana, and psychedelics can all cause dizziness both acutely while intoxicated and with long-term use from their neurotoxic effects. Low blood pressure, heart rate changes, and neurotransmitter imbalances contribute to dizziness with illegal drugs. Discontinuing drug use allows recovery.

Circulatory Disorders

A wide range of cardiovascular conditions disrupt normal blood flow and oxygen delivery in ways that elicit dizziness. Heart valve problems, arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, and atherosclerotic blockages are examples. Diagnosis of the underlying circulatory disorder guides appropriate treatment to improve symptoms.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Damage to the peripheral nerves causes tingling, numbness, weakness and pain, predominantly in the feet and hands. Diabetes is the top cause. Other risk factors include autoimmune diseases, vitamin deficiencies, infections, kidney disorders, hypothyroidism, cancers and toxins. Dizziness results from impaired proprioception and balance. Slowing disease progression and physical therapy help manage it.

Vestibular Neuritis

This inner ear disorder stems from a viral infection of the vestibular nerve transmitting balance and head position signals from the inner ear to the brain. Inflammation of the nerve causes persistent dizziness and vertigo. Antivirals may be prescribed in the acute phase. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy helps retrain the brain to resolve the imbalance and dizziness over time.

Acoustic Neuroma

A noncancerous tumor growing on the vestibular nerve inside the inner ear is termed an acoustic neuroma. As it enlarges it compresses and damages surrounding nerves causing hearing loss, ringing ears, and disrupted equilibrium. Surgical removal is the main treatment approach. Physical therapy helps retrain the brain to maintain balance following tumor removal surgery.

Migraine Headaches

Migraines often produce neurological symptoms like visual auras, tingling, and dizziness in addition to the characteristic severe headache pain. Altered blood flow and inflammation affect nerve signals. Identifying and avoiding migraine triggers plus using abortive and preventive medications helps minimize migraine frequency and associated dizzy spells.

Multiple Sclerosis

This autoimmune disease damages the nerve fibers of the central nervous system via inflammation and scarring. Double vision, weakness, tingling, cognitive impairment, and dizziness are common multiple sclerosis symptoms. Medications aim to modify the disease course and minimize flareups. Physical therapy also helps manage symptoms during flareups.

Parkinson’s Disease

A progressive, degenerative neurological disorder, Parkinson’s disease arises from a loss of dopamine producing brain cells. Movement problems like tremors, rigid muscles, shuffling gait, and slow movements accompany non-motor symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, depression, constipation, and poor balance. Medications, surgery, and exercise programs aim to maximize quality of life.

Transient Ischemic Attacks

Also called mini-strokes, TIAs cause stroke-like symptoms that fully resolve within 24 hours. Numbing, vision changes, trouble speaking, confusion and dizziness are common TIA manifestations. They’re warning signs of underlying cardiovascular risks. Preventive therapies like blood thinners, aspirin, and surgical interventions help reduce odds of an imminent major stroke.

Seizures

Epileptic seizures provoke involuntary muscle contractions, unusual sensations, loss of consciousness, and dizziness both before, during and after a seizure. Seizure triggers like flashing lights, lack of sleep, missed medication, and recreational drug use should be avoided. Anti-seizure medications control the number and intensity of seizures.

Labyrinthitis Ossificans

This chronic inner ear condition arises after an acute labyrinthitis infection causes bony, calcified deposits on the inner ear membranes. Progressive buildup of deposits stiffens the inner ear structures and restricts their movement, leading to conductive hearing loss and chronic imbalance. Low sodium diets, diuretics, and balance therapy help manage symptoms.

Perilymph Fistula

A tear or leak in the membranes between the middle and inner ear allows abnormal mixing of air and fluid. It causes ongoing dizziness, vertigo, nausea, and unsteadiness along with conductive hearing loss and tinnitus. Strict head positioning and movement restrictions help limit symptoms while waiting for the leak to potentially self-seal. Surgery may be needed for persistent leaks.

Superior Canal Dehiscence

A defect in the temporal bone covering the superior semicircular ear canal creates a “third mobile window” that allows sound and pressure waves to stimulate the ear directly. This triggers hearing and balance problems like vertigo attacks, pulsatile tinnitus, conductive hearing loss, and dizziness with loud noises. Surgical patching repairs the defect.

Syphilis

This bacterial sexually transmitted infection can invade the central nervous system in its late stages causing numbness, vision loss, confusion, poor coordination, headaches and dizziness. Intravenous antibiotic treatment is crucial otherwise it could progress to paralysis, dementia, and death. Blood tests help diagnose it. Safe sex practices reduce transmission risk.

Congenital Heart Defects

Structural abnormalities in the heart that arise during fetal development often impair blood flow, oxygenation, or pumping efficiency in ways that elicit dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, heart murmurs, and poor exercise tolerance. Defect severity guides treatment which may include medications, catheter procedures, or surgery to repair defects.

Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct

A wider than normal aqueduct in the inner ear allows perilymph fluid to leak out, causing dizziness and hearing loss. It is often accompanied by Mondini Dysplasia, a related inner ear malformation present from birth. Symptoms are variable but often worsen with head injuries or pressure changes. Corrective surgery may help stabilize inner ear function.

Subdural Hematoma

Bleeding and fluid collection between the skull and surface of the brain creates excess pressure on delicate brain tissue, typically from a head injury. Headache, numbness, confusion, seizures, and dizziness occur. Draining excess fluid via drilling small holes in the skull provides rapid relief. Underlying blood vessel abnormalities may require further treatment.

Brain Tumors

Both cancerous and benign types of brain tumors can damage nerves and block fluid drainage. This raises pressure within the skull. Along with headaches, nausea, and vision changes, dizziness is a common early brain tumor symptom. Imaging tests diagnose them. Brain surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy treat malignant brain cancers.

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Also called NPH, obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid circulation and absorption causes it to accumulate abnormally. Ventricles enlarge but intra-cranial pressure may remain normal. Hence the name. Urinary urgency, cognitive issues, difficulty walking, and dizziness are characteristic. Surgical shunting drains excess spinal fluid and relieves symptoms.

Glaucoma

Increased eye pressure from inadequate drainage of intraocular fluid compresses the optic nerve, initially causing peripheral vision loss. If it continues unchecked, tunnel vision and eventual blindness result. Eye drops, lasers, and surgery control pressure and prevent vision deterioration. Lightheadedness is also a reported symptom of glaucoma for unclear reasons.

Dysautonomia

Also known as autonomic dysfunction, this group of disorders disturbs the nervous system’s regulation of automatic bodily functions like heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, and breathing rhythms. Lightheadedness upon standing, temperature intolerance, blurred vision, and fatigue are common with various forms. Medications, compression garments, hydration and exercise help manage them.

Adrenal Fatigue

When the adrenal glands become depleted and unable to adequately produce stress hormones like cortisol for long periods, non-specific symptoms manifest. Dizziness, fatigue, cravings, irritability, and disordered sleep patterns characterize the syndrome. Adrenal fatigue often arises from underlying illnesses, chronic stress, or sleep deprivation. Lifestyle changes to manage stress promote recovery.

Thyroid Dysfunction

Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism affect the body’s metabolism in different ways that can induce dizziness and lightheadedness along with a multitude of other symptoms. Tests check thyroid hormone levels. Supplementing thyroid medication helps restore levels to the normal range and resolve deficiency or excess-driven symptoms.

Sinus Infection

Inflammation and mucus buildup in the sinus cavities behind the cheeks, forehead and eyes cause headaches, stuffy nose, post-nasal drip, and facial pain and pressure. Sinus congestion can also obstruct the Eustachian tubes connecting the throat and middle ears. This traps air and secretions, triggering dizziness and muffled hearing. Antibiotics, decongestants and nasal irrigation help.

Sleep Apnea

Repetitive drops in oxygen levels during sleep due to airway collapse behind the tongue instigate lightheadedness upon waking. Loud snoring, restless sleep, morning headaches, daytime drowsiness, and mood changes also occur. Using a CPAP machine and sleeping on your side prevents airway obstruction and improves sleep apnea symptoms.

BPPV Exercises

For benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, certain head motions trigger intense dizzy spells. To reposition the inner ear calcium crystals causing symptoms, trained physical therapists perform a series of guided therapeutic maneuvers. Performing maintenance exercises at home helps prevent the calcium debris from shifting back into the sensitive balance canals.

Diagnosing Dizziness

Since so many diverse medical conditions provoke dizziness, a methodical, stepwise approach is required for accurate diagnosis. Key components of the diagnostic workup include:

– Medical History – Thorough questioning identifies underlying diseases, family history, medications, symptoms, lifestyle factors, prior head injuries, and relieving or aggravating factors.

– Physical Exam – Assesses vital signs, inner ear function, eye movements, balance, gait, proprioception, muscle strength, and coordination to detect neurological deficits.

– Hearing & Balance Tests – Includes specialized assessments like videonystagmography, rotational chair testing, computerized dynamic posturography and more to pinpoint inner ear versus central nervous system causes.

– Blood Tests – Check for anemia, electrolyte abnormalities, thyroid dysfunction, infections, vitamin deficiencies, and cardiovascular disease markers.

– Cardiac Workup – Heart monitoring, echocardiograms and stress tests screen for arrhythmias and structural heart disease.

– Imaging Studies – CT, MRI and PET scans of the head and neck visualize the ears, brainstem, and vascular structures. They detect strokes, tumors, nerve damage, and anatomical defects.

– Eye Exam – Screens for visual disorders like glaucoma, cataracts, retinal disease, and optic neuritis which provoke dizziness.

This thorough diagnostic investigation identifies the underlying disorder responsible for dizziness. Accurate diagnosis then guides appropriate treatment targeting the specific cause. Treatments encompass medications, surgery, physical therapy, dietary modifications, and more depending on findings.

Conclusion

Dizziness arises from a wide array of medical conditions that affect the ears, eyes, heart, nervous system, metabolism, mental health and general health state. Malnutrition, infections, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, vertigo syndromes, vision problems, and medication side effects represent some of the diverse causative factors.

Undergoing a complete medical evaluation includes a careful history and physical, balance assessments, bloodwork, neuro-imaging, cardiac screening, and other testing as needed. It illuminates the underlying reason for dizziness so that prompt, targeted treatment provides symptom relief and improves prognosis. Lifestyle measures like staying well hydrated, getting adequate nutrition, managing health conditions, and exercising also help minimize episodes of lightheadedness.