Feeling dizzy can be caused by a variety of factors that affect your body's balance system or blood flow to the brain. Common reasons include a drop in blood pressure (especially when standing up quickly), poor blood flow to the brain, inner ear problems (such as vertigo), dehydration, low blood sugar, side effects of certain medications, anxiety, anemia, overheating, or carbon monoxide poisoning. More specifically:
- A sudden drop in blood pressure called orthostatic hypotension can cause brief dizziness or feeling faint.
- Inner ear issues like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, or Meniere’s disease can cause spinning sensations.
- Dehydration or not drinking enough fluids can reduce blood volume, leading to dizziness.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) often causes dizziness alongside shakiness and sweating.
- Anxiety and stress can cause lightheadedness and woozy feelings.
- Some medications (anti-seizure, antidepressants, sedatives, blood pressure meds) list dizziness as a side effect.
- Anemia or low iron can reduce oxygen delivery to the brain, causing dizziness.
If dizziness is frequent, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms (like chest pain, confusion, severe headache, or fainting), it's important to seek medical evaluation to rule out serious issues.
