Has the earth moved for you recently? Experiencing a moment of dizziness isn’t uncommon – but when it happens it can be scary, leaving you feeling faint, unsteady or as though the world is moving around you.
From medication to jetlag, heat and even ear problems, we ask the experts the potential causes that can make it feel as if the whole world is spinning.
Heat
Although the heatwave we’ve been dreaming of hasn’t quite landed yet this summer, if and when it does you should be aware that hotter temperatures could cause you to feel dizzy.
Dr Elise Dallas, GP at The London General Practice says: “When exposed to hot temperatures, your body works to regulate its internal temperature through sweating and blood vessel dilation. This process can result in dizziness.”
Additionally, excessive sweating can lead to an electrolyte imbalance, when certain mineral levels in your blood get too high or too low, further contributing to dizziness.
You can prevent this by staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged exposure to high temperatures and taking breaks in cool areas.
Blood pressure problems
If you suddenly become dizzy, it could be because your blood pressure has suddenly plummeted. This sort of drop can occur for several reasons.
“It could be due to sudden blood loss due to an internal or external haemorrhage,” says Dr Stuart Sanders, GP at The London General Practice. “Other causes include something called postural hypotension, a condition in which the blood pressure drops when you move yourself from lying to standing.”
Dizziness can also be a telltale sign of being anaemic.
Dr Sanders says: “The condition can impact blood pressure and cause vertigo when you change your position from lying down to standing up suddenly because you have fewer freed blood cells to carry oxygen to the head and the rest of the body.
“And anxiety can also cause a drop in blood pressure through hyperventilation.”
For peace of mind, you should book an appointment with a doctor to check your cardiovascular system.
“Bear in mind that it will be the condition causing your problem that needs to be treated and once it has been, it is not usually necessary to be treated specifically for vertigo,” says Dr Sanders. “However, you might be given anti-vertigo medication to relieve the issue in the short term.”
Motion sickness
If you’re on the road, sailing or flying and you find yourself feeling dizzy, it could be due to travel sickness. “Motion sickness is caused by a sensory conflict between the visual system and the vestibular system, which controls balance and spatial orientation,” says Dr Dallas. “The brain receives mixed signals from these systems, leading to symptoms like nausea,dizziness, and vomiting.”
Before travelling, choose a seat with minimal motion, such as the front seat of a car or over the wings of an aeroplane. “Avoid heavy meals before and get plenty of rest as fatigue can worsen symptoms,” adds Dr Dallas. “Try over-the-counter motion sickness medications, such as antihistamines, as recommended by a healthcare professional.”
When you are on the move try to focus on a stable point in the distance, open a window for fresh air and take deep breaths. Acupressure bands or patches, and ginger supplements may be helpful.
Inner ear issues
Dizziness or imbalance can often be caused by problems in the inner ear according to audiologist Dr Rony Ganguly of Pindrop Hearing. These can include vestibular labyrinthitis, a virus affecting the sensory hair cells in the inner ear, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which can often occur after a bang to the head or secondary to labyrinthitis. Dr Ganguly says: “In the long term the most effective treatment for vestibular labyrinthitis is rehabilitation with a physiotherapist.
BPPV is characterised by short episodes of rotatory vertigo (spinning) when you turn over in bed, lasting for a few seconds. It is usually solved by the Epley manoeuvre, a series of head movements that can be taught by a doctor, specialist audiologist or specialist physio.”
Finally, Meniere’s Disease could be to blame. “This is characterised by long episodes of severe vertigo, lasting for a few hours, accompanied by fluctuating hearing loss, loud tinnitus and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. It can be controlled using medication such as betahistine,” says Dr Ganguly.
Jetlag
Heading off on a long haul flight this summer? Be aware that the shift in time zones could leave you feeling below par when your body’s internal clock is disrupted.
But it isn’t just about difficulty nodding off at bedtime or staying asleep beyond 4am… you might find the world starts to move too.
“This can affect various bodily functions, including your balance and coordination,” says Dr Dallas.
“Additionally, the fatigue and dehydration associated with long flights can contribute to dizziness.” Medication Dizziness can be a side-effect of some medications including blood pressure medicines, and certain antidepressants.
“These can affect the balance of chemicals in the brain, resulting in dizziness whilst sedatives and tranquillisers can have a sedating effect on the central nervous system, leading to dizziness and drowsiness,” says Dr Dallas.
You should consult your GP if you experience dizziness while taking medications. They can make adjustments if necessary.
It’s that time of the month
For women, hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle have been shown to cause dizziness.
Research has shown that an increase in the hormones oestrogen, progesterone and aldosterone in the luteal phase, can cause fluid retention, potentially causing dizziness.
Heavy periods could also lead to iron-deficiency anaemia, leaving your head spinning.