Dizziness can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'minor' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.
Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose dizziness, we could:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Iron Deficiency Anemia | 98% | Confirm |
Stroke Risk | 25% | Unlikely |
Hypertension | 13% | Unlikely |
Hypotension | 0% | Ruled out |
Drug Side-Effects | 0% | Ruled out |
Electrical Hypersensitivity | 0% | Ruled out |
Senile Dementia | 0% | Ruled out |
Ectopic Pregnancy | 0% | Ruled out |
Do you ever feel dizzy or faint when you are not standing up or sitting up suddenly?
Possible responses:
→ Don't know→ Never / very rarely → Occasionally - several times per year → Often - several times per month → Always or almost always |
Almost all medications list dizziness as a possible side-effect. Examples include blood pressure medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, pain relievers, some antibiotics. Diuretics cause dehydration, blood electrolyte changes, heart effects and/or direct side-effects.
Dizziness and disorientation are possible symptoms of a brain tumor.
Dehydration can cause a drop in blood pressure, which reduces the amount of oxygen that the brain receives and causes dizziness. Dehydration can also lead to an inner ear fluid imbalance, which can cause dizziness.
High blood pressure (usually extremely high) can cause damage to the brain, with associated dizziness.
Dizziness and fainting spells are a possible symptoms of hypoglycemia, which may in turn be a reaction to insulin.
When the vestibular nerve (connecting the inner ear to the brain) is affected, dizziness or vertigo can result, especially in association with diabetes.
Dizziness can be caused by any condition causing confusion or an altered state of mind, including medications, drugs or alcohol.