Dizziness and lightheadedness are the most common reasons for adult visits to the doctor, according to Mayo Clinic. Dizziness is a term that encompasses feelings of lightheadedness, faintness, unsteadiness, loss of balance and vertigo, which is a sensation that the room is moving or spinning. Most cases of dizziness are not serious and can be treated quickly or cease on their own.
Meniere's Disease
Meniere’s disease is a chronic inner ear disorder that causes severe episodes of vertigo. These episodes are sudden and usually last twenty minutes to two hours, but occasionally last an entire day, according to Mayo Clinic. Vertigo can result in falls, car accidents, anxiety and permanent hearing loss. The exact cause of Meniere’s disease is unknown, but is believed to be caused by an increased amount of fluid or a change in composition of the fluid in the ear.
Benign Positional Vertigo
Benign positional vertigo is a sudden onset of dizziness and spinning caused by a disturbance in the inner ear. Benign positional vertigo usually occurs while moving the head or after sudden head movement. It develops due to the movement of fluid and calcium into the semicircular canals or fluid-filled tubes in the ear. The calcium disrupts normal brain signals and causes the body to experience dizziness and vertigo.
Inner Ear Inflammation
Inner ear inflammation, which is often due to conditions such as acute vestibular neuronitis and labyrinthitis, can cause severe bouts of dizziness that may continue for several days. Nausea, vomiting and imbalance are often felt in addition to dizziness. The condition is usually debilitating and requires that the affected person remain in bed until the condition goes away, usually on its own. The exact cause of the inflammation is unknown, but it is believed to be a viral infection.
Vestibular Migraines
A vestibular migraine is a neurological condition that affects the inner ear. The most common symptoms of a vestibular migraine are dizziness, lightheadedness, imbalance and extreme sensitivity to motion, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Headaches may be present, but most often occur independently of other symptoms. Dizziness may be triggered by inadequate sleep, stress or hormone changes.
Lack of Blood to the Brain
Lack of blood to the brain is the main reason for lightheadedness. This can be caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs after sitting or standing too quickly. It can also be caused by an inadequate amount of blood being pushed out by the heart. Conditions that cause this inadequate output include blocked arteries, heart muscle diseases, abnormal heartbeats or a decrease in blood volume, according to Mayo Clinic.
