You may be worried if you feel dizzy, but usually the condition is not serious and easy to find the cause.
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Part 1 of 2: Coping with Dizziness with Medical Treatment
Step 1. Know the risk factors
There are certain factors that make you more prone to feeling dizzy. Knowing these factors can help you and your doctor identify the cause of your dizziness and the best way to get rid of it.
- If you are 65 or older, you most likely have a medical condition or are taking medications that cause dizziness.
- Medications such as blood pressure lowering or pain relievers, anticonvulsants, sedatives, and tranquilizers can cause dizziness.
- If you've had episodes of dizziness in the past, you're more likely to experience them again in the future.
Step 2. See a doctor
Dizziness is usually easy to treat with self-care, but if you experience unexplained, recurring, or severe dizziness, see your doctor. The doctor will help determine if there is a serious condition and find the best way to get rid of the dizziness.
- If you experience dizziness of unknown cause, fast, and severe, accompanied by symptoms such as a head injury, severe headache, very stiff neck, blurred vision, sudden hearing loss, difficulty speaking, weak legs or arms, and chest pain or rapid slowing of the heart rate, call an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency room to determine if there is a serious condition.
- The doctor will ask you about the symptoms of dizziness you are experiencing as well as any medical conditions you are suffering from and the medications you are taking. Make a note of when you feel dizzy and give it to your doctor. Your doctor may order tests or an MRI to determine the cause.
- If your doctor doesn't find a cause and you continue to feel dizzy, your doctor may discuss medications you can take or self-care you can take to manage your symptoms.
Step 3. Use medical treatment for dizziness
Based on the results of the doctor's consultation and the tests that may be run, you will be given treatment to treat dizziness. Your doctor may prescribe medication or suggest self-administering dizziness.
- If the dizziness is caused by problems in the inner ear, your doctor may prescribe balance retraining, also called vestibular rehabilitation. In addition, you may be prescribed meclizine (Antivert), diazepam (Valium), or dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) to help relieve nausea and dizziness.
- If you have Meniere's disease, which causes a spinning sensation, your doctor may prescribe diuretics and dietary changes, such as a low-sodium diet, to minimize the amount of fluid your body retains.
- If you're feeling dizzy because of a vestibular migraine, your doctor can help you figure out what triggers the attack, such as diet, stress, sleep, and exercise. Your doctor may also give you a prescription to prevent attacks or relieve nausea.
- If you have an anxiety disorder, your doctor may prescribe medication and psychotherapy that can relieve anxiety and dizziness.
- If you are anemic or low in iron, your doctor may suggest self-care through dietary changes.
- If you have hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, your doctor may suggest self-care by eating regular and healthy meals and bringing snacks with you.
- Heart problems such as abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias can reduce blood volume and cause orthostatic hypotension or low blood pressure when standing up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. If this happens, your doctor may suggest self-care by sitting still and waiting for circulation to stabilize.
- Some medications, such as anticonvulsants, sedatives, and tranquilizers can also cause dizziness and your doctor may reevaluate these treatments if they make you dizzy.
Part 2 of 2: Coping With Dizziness With Self Treatment
Step 1. Take a break from whatever activity you are currently doing
Whatever is causing you dizziness, stop what you are doing and rest for a few minutes. This will help the adjustment of blood circulation and brain.
- Resuming an activity or moving suddenly can make your dizziness worse and may cause you to lose your balance.
- If you're not lying down and can do this, consider resting your head on or between your knees. This will help stabilize blood flow and stop dizziness.
Step 2. Take deep, steady breaths
Sufficient oxygen can help relieve dizziness. Taking deep, steady breaths will help your body get vital oxygen and also calm you down.
- Try taking deep breaths to help focus on stabilizing your oxygen levels and heart rate. For example, you can inhale for a count of four and exhale for a count of four as well. Choose the calculation that works best for you.
- Breathing slowly and deeply will help reduce the increase in heart rate that can also make you feel dizzy.
Step 3. Make sure you eat healthy and regularly
Low blood sugar and iron levels can cause dizziness. Making sure you eat healthy and regularly can help you avoid feeling dizzy.
- Healthy and natural foods such as lean protein, fruits and vegetables, and legumes will help maintain normal blood sugar throughout the day, and make you less likely to feel dizzy.
- If you often feel dizzy because of low blood sugar, consider bringing a snack such as a granola bar or an apple to counter any possible symptoms.
- If your iron levels are low, add more iron-rich foods to your diet to maintain iron levels and help reduce the chance of dizziness. Examples of iron-rich foods are red and organ meats such as beef and liver, spinach, and dried beans.
- In some cases, a lack of sodium in the diet can cause dizziness. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water to help regulate circulation and relieve dizziness.
Step 4. Prevent dehydration and overheating
Consuming enough fluids every day can keep you from getting dizzy. Keeping your body hydrated will also help you avoid overheating in hot weather.
- You should drink at least 10 glasses of fluids a day to prevent dehydration. Drink 2 liters of cold water every 2 to 4 hours to relieve dehydration and overheating.
- Water is the best choice for keeping your body hydrated, but you can also drink other fluids such as tea, fruit juice, sports drinks, or caffeine-free soda.
- Hyperthermia, or overheating, and dehydration can cause dizziness. Rest in a cool place and drinking water or a sports drink (Gatorade, Powerade, and the like) will usually help relieve dizziness.
- Remove clothing as much as possible to keep yourself cool and to prevent fluid loss.
Step 5. Avoid substances that can make dizziness worse
Certain stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs will affect blood circulation and increase heart rate. Avoiding these substances will help avoid dizziness or prevent it from getting worse.
Step 6. Ask for help if you have a severe episode of dizziness
If you experience frequent episodes of dizziness, especially those of no known cause, do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery. In addition, you should rest to help relieve the symptoms of dizziness. Enlisting the help of friends, family, or colleagues for transportation and activities when you are dizzy can ensure that you don't injure yourself or others.
