How to stop dizziness depends on its cause, but you may be able to find temporary relief by drinking water, moving carefully, lying down, avoiding triggers, and more.

Dizziness is not a medical condition on its own. It’s a symptom of an underlying cause. While treatments can depend on the specific cause, various remedies may help.

Read on for more information about possible treatments for dizziness.

Dehydration is a possible cause of dizziness. Drinking water and staying hydrated may help with managing dizziness if it occurs due to dehydration.

Each person’s water intake needs are different. For example, an athlete or somebody with a very active lifestyle may need to drink more water to stay hydrated. Speak with a doctor for advice on how much water you should aim for each day based on your individual circumstances.

It may help to rest and move carefully if you are experiencing dizziness. This can include remaining seated and avoiding abrump movements.

Depending on the cause, dizziness can last seconds to hours. It is best to remain sitting or lying down during this time.

When you are ready to sit up, do so slowly. It is best to do other movements, such as turning your head, as slowly as possible until the dizziness passes.

The Epley maneuver, which you can do at home, is an exercise that can help treat dizziness in cases of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

The maneuver is designed to dislodge crystals from the ear canals and reduce dizziness. It involves lying down and moving the head in different ways.

A doctor can provide information about the proper technique for performing the Epley maneuver.

It’s best to avoid known triggers for dizziness.

For example, dizziness can be due to:

Staying hydrated, not skipping meals, getting enough sleep, and taking steps to manage anxiety may help.

It is also best to avoid anything that can worsen dizziness. These include:

  • caffeine
  • alcohol
  • cigarettes

Addressing conditions that can cause dizziness may help reduce the frequency or severity of dizziness.

Some possible causes of dizziness include:

Your doctor can advise on suitable medical treatments based on the underlying cause.

Some medications can also cause dizziness. Speak with a doctor if you believe your medication is causing dizziness. It is important to continue taking any prescription medication until a doctor advises otherwise. They may recommend changing the strength or type of medication.

Contact a doctor if you frequently experience dizziness, even if the dizziness only lasts for a short time. This could be due to dehydration or an underlying medical condition such as an ear infection or iron deficiency anemia.

If you already have a diagnosis, you can contact your doctor to discuss your current treatment plan. They may recommend changes to your treatment or other tips to help minimize the severity or frequency of dizziness.

Seek medical help if you experience dizziness and:

  • difficulty speaking
  • vision changes, such as double vision or blurry vision
  • numbness or weakness in the arms, legs, or face
  • fainting
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • fainting or collapsing

Some remedies that may help manage dizziness include drinking water to stay hydrated, lying down until dizziness passes, and moving carefully.

In cases of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the Epley maneuver may help. Avoiding triggers may also be beneficial. Things that can trigger or worsen dizziness include stress, anxiety, dehydration, low blood sugar, alcohol, coffee, and cigarettes.

In some cases, it may be necessary to address the underlying condition. Some possible causes of dizziness include an ear infection, migraine, iron deficiency anemia, BPPV, labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, Ménière’s disease, and some medications.

Speak with a doctor if you frequently experience dizziness. The doctor can determine the underlying cause and advise on a suitable treatment plan, which may include medications or other treatments for the condition causing the dizziness.

Seek immediate medical help if dizziness occurs alongside symptoms such as numbness, nausea and vomiting,. and fainting.