Dizziness and giddiness may happen for various reasons. Sometimes, an underlying cause is the trigger for these symptoms, and treating the associated condition can help relieve them.

Dizziness and giddiness are two terms that refer to feelings of lightheadedness, faintness, and off-balance.

These are common symptoms that are often short term, but may also result from chronic health conditions. Sudden dizziness can indicate a medical emergency in some cases. Successful treatment for these symptoms depends on the underlying cause.

If you’re experiencing chronic or severe and sudden-onset dizziness, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional right away.

Dizziness and giddiness may not last long and could be due to something simple, such as dehydration. However, in some cases, they may be associated with long-term health conditions.

Vertigo may be related to these symptoms, but it is technically a separate symptom that refers to feelings of spinning. It’s also possible to experience both vertigo and dizziness at the same time, which may indicate a balance disorder.

Possible causes of dizziness and giddiness include:

Cardiovascular-related conditions

Neurological conditions

Ear-related conditions

Metabolic and nutritional conditions

Psychological conditions

Other causes

  • standing up too quickly
  • medication side effects

A doctor will first ask you about when you first started experiencing dizziness and giddiness, and whether you also have these symptoms while sitting or lying down. They may also have you test different head positions to see if these worsen your symptoms.

Based on their initial findings, a doctor may then run tests to help rule out possible causes of dizziness or vertigo, such as:

  • eye movement test
  • ear exam
  • hearing exam
  • blood tests
  • MRI of the brain

Most cases of dizziness and giddiness improve on their own without medical treatment.

If a doctor diagnoses you with vertigo, they may recommend treatment based on the underlying cause.

If you require treatment for your symptoms, these may include:

For dizziness with or without vertigo, a doctor might recommend the following remedies and self-care techniques you can try at home:

  • stress management
  • relaxing activities
  • sitting in a cool, quiet, and dark room until your symptoms improve
  • moving slowly through your everyday activities
  • getting out of bed slowly to prevent postural hypotension

It’s important to see a doctor if your dizziness and giddiness do not improve with lifestyle changes, or if you’re experiencing worsening or recurring symptoms.

You should also see a doctor right away if you have a sudden onset of severe dizziness accompanied by the following:

  • blurry or double vision
  • trouble hearing
  • ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • weakness in your face or limbs
  • difficulty speaking
  • severe headache
  • vomiting
  • changes in your pulse
  • fainting
  • collapse

These strategies can help you improve dizziness and giddiness.

Tips to stop feeling dizzy or giddy

  • get enough rest
  • be mindful of how quickly you bend over and stand up after lying down or sitting for long periods of time
  • drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and prevent heat exhaustion
  • reduce caffeine and alcohol intake
  • avoid smoking and drugs

Chronic dizziness can greatly disrupt your daily life and make standing, walking, and driving challenging.

If your dizziness is related to a balance disorder, such as BPPV, a doctor will likely recommend rehabilitation.

Specific exercises and maneuvers can help reduce dizziness and improve your overall balance. A doctor may also teach you certain movements you can do on your own at home to help improve chronic dizziness and giddiness.

Dizziness and giddiness are broad terms used to refer to lightheadedness and unsteadiness. They are also sometimes used to describe vertigo, which refers to feelings of spinning.

There are numerous possible causes of dizziness, many of which improve on their own with lifestyle changes. Chronic or severe symptoms should always be checked out by a doctor.

Identifying the exact cause is the key to getting successful treatment and starting to feel better.

Read on for some frequently asked questions about dizziness and giddiness:

Dizziness is a symptom associated with numerous causes and underlying health conditions.

Vertigo is another symptom that can be described as dizziness, but it specifically causes sensations of spinning rather than light-headedness.

Vertigo is a relatively common condition, and it’s more common in older adults. A 2023 study estimates that between 3% and 10% of people may experience vertigo during their lifetime.

For comparison, 15% to 20% of adults experience dizziness each year.

Yes, anxiety is a possible trigger of dizziness, and it can also worsen vertigo.

Treatment for anxiety may help improve symptoms like dizziness, but it’s also important to know that some medications prescribed for mental health conditions may also increase your chance of dizziness as a side effect.

If you’re experiencing anxiety or are currently taking medications, it’s important to talk with a doctor about dizziness. Never stop taking prescribed medications without first talking with a healthcare professional.

BPPV is primarily treated with physical maneuvers that can help move dislodged ear crystals back into their proper place. Surgery is another option, though this is rare.

Vertigo is sometimes a symptom of a stroke, particularly brain stem strokes. For mild to moderate strokes, vertigo may improve several weeks later during overall stroke recovery.

Vertigo symptoms can last from several seconds to several minutes or days at a time.

There is currently no known cure for vertigo. However, most people do go on to experience symptom relief, sometimes without the need for treatment.

While there’s no official diet for vertigo, too many salty foods might trigger these symptoms in people who have Meniere’s disease. Getting enough vitamin D may also help improve BPPV symptoms.

While vertigo is most common in adults ages 55 to 64, it’s still possible for children to experience it. If children get it, it’s often associated with other causes, such as ear infections.

It’s not safe to drive with vertigo. If you experience these symptoms, you will need to have an alternative way to get around until your symptoms ease.