There are various ways to treat dizziness, depending on the cause. Antihistamines, migraine medications, and anticholinergics are some medical options. Sometimes, drinking water or getting more sleep can resolve it.
Dizziness is not a disease or condition in its own right but rather a symptom of another issue.
In some cases, dizziness does not resolve on its own, and people should talk with a doctor to address the underlying cause.
This article discusses ways to manage dizziness, including home remedies and medications.
Fast facts on dizziness and how to get rid of it:
- Dizziness can feel like lightheadedness, being unbalanced, or as if a person or their environment is moving.
- Dizziness can be gradual, sudden, and have various causes. If it is severe or keeps returning, talk with a doctor.
- Medications can help reduce dizziness.
- Dehydration can sometimes cause dizziness. Drinking water can help alleviate it in many cases.
- Dizziness often gets better without treatment.
Read about some causes of dizziness.
Most of the time, no medication is necessary to treat dizziness. However, some drugs can treat the underlying causes, such as fluid buildup in the ear, anxiety, or drug side effects. These may include:
- anti-anxiety medications, when dizziness is due to panic disorders or mental health issues
- anticholinergic drugs or antihistamines, which may reduce dizziness or offer relief from vertigo
- medications for migraines, if the dizziness is due to migraines
Lifestyle changes or a further visit to the doctor may be necessary if these treatments do not help alleviate the dizziness.
If medication does not help reduce dizziness, people may need to try some lifestyle changes and remedies, such as:
- lying down and closing the eyes
- acupuncture
- drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated
- reducing stress
- reducing or cutting out alcohol and tobacco
- getting plenty of sleep
Several therapeutic approaches can also help relieve dizziness. They include:
- Head position maneuvers: A method called the Epley maneuver may help with feelings of dizziness. It involves moving the position of the head in specific ways to reposition small calcium crystals that are causing the dizziness. People should discuss the approach with a doctor before trying it.
- Balance therapy: Vestibular rehabilitation therapy can help strengthen the connection between the eyes, body, brain, and inner ear. It aims to reduce symptoms by helping people adapt to their feelings of discomfort.
- Psychotherapy: If someone has dizziness related to an anxiety disorder, psychotherapy may help relieve this symptom.
If dizziness persists or keeps coming back, talk with a doctor about what might be causing it. Dizziness is often a symptom of a bigger issue.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), people should see a doctor if they are worried about their dizziness and have any of the following symptoms:
- dizziness is ongoing, frequent, or severe
- hearing or speaking is becoming more difficult
- ringing or other sounds in their ears
- changes in eyesight, such as blurry or double vision
- weakness or numbness in their face, arms, or legs
- persistent headaches
- fainting or collapsing
- feeling nauseous or being sick
- changes in the pulse
To determine the cause of dizziness, a doctor may examine a person’s inner ear, take their blood pressure, and order a blood test to determine their blood glucose levels. If the doctor cannot determine the cause, they may order further tests.
Dizziness can have many causes, such as:
- consuming alcohol
- benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a sensation of movement triggered by head movement
- low blood pressure
- low blood sugar
- stroke
- dehydration
- hyperventilation
- panic disorder or panic attacks
- middle ear infection
- motion sickness
- Ménière’s disease
- an inflammation of the inner ear called labyrinthitis
Certain medications can also cause dizziness as a side effect. People can check the drug label to see if dizziness is a side effect.
Are vertigo and dizziness the same thing?
Although they may feel similar, vertigo and dizziness are different. A person with vertigo will feel like their environment is moving or spinning. Dizziness is a feeling of lightheadedness without a spinning sensation while vertigo is the illusion of movement.
Vertigo is a
Read about home remedies for vertigo.
Dizziness is a symptom of another condition rather than a condition on its own. Common causes include sleep deprivation, dehydration, and low blood sugar.
If lifestyle modifications are ineffective or dizziness is persistent or severe, a person should talk with their doctor. Medications such as anti-anxiety medications and anticholinergics may help.
Other interventions include balance therapy and head position maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver.