Lightheadedness is feeling as if you might faint. Your body may feel heavy while your head feels as if it is not getting enough blood. While not always cause for concern, lightheadedness can sometimes indicate an underlying medical condition and can increase your risk for experiencing a fall.
For this reason, you should take caution when you feel lightheaded. Lightheadedness often occurs when you move quickly from a seated to a standing position. This positional change results in decreased blood flow to the brain. This can create a drop in blood pressure that makes you feel faint.
You are more likely to experience this condition if you are dehydrated due to illness or insufficient fluid intake. The sensation may improve when you sit or lie back down. Lightheadedness may be accompanied by nausea and dizziness. Dizziness is the feeling of being unbalanced or unsteady. According to Cleveland Clinic , 4 out of 10 people have experienced dizziness severe enough to send them to a doctor.
Dizziness can be dangerous because it changes your sense of balance and can make you more likely to fall. One type of dizziness, called vertigo , causes the false sense that your surroundings are moving or spinning when in reality they are still.
Vertigo may cause you to feel like you are floating, tilting, swaying, or whirling. Free word lists and quizzes from Cambridge. Tools to create your own word lists and quizzes. Word lists shared by our community of dictionary fans. Sign up now or Log in. Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. Follow us. Choose a dictionary. Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English.
Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse. Recent health events , such as surgery or injury.
These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious. Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel. Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions. Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms. Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect.
You may need care sooner. Symptoms of a heart attack may include: Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
Shortness of breath. Nausea or vomiting. Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms. Light-headedness or sudden weakness. A fast or irregular heartbeat. Symptoms of serious illness may include: A severe headache. A stiff neck. Mental changes, such as feeling confused or much less alert. Extreme fatigue to the point where it's hard for you to function.
Shaking chills. Heartbeat changes can include: A faster or slower heartbeat than is normal for you. This would include a pulse rate of more than beats per minute when you are not exercising or less than 60 beats per minute unless that is normal for you.
A heart rate that does not have a steady pattern. Skipped beats. Extra beats. Symptoms may include: Numbness, weakness, or lack of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body. Trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Trouble speaking. Confusion or trouble understanding simple statements. Problems with balance or coordination for example, falling down or dropping things. A few examples are: Antibiotics. Blood pressure medicines.
Medicines used to treat depression or anxiety. Pain medicines. Medicines used to treat cancer chemotherapy. These include: Passing out losing consciousness. Feeling very dizzy or light-headed, like you may pass out. Feeling very weak or having trouble standing. Not feeling alert or able to think clearly. You may be confused, restless, fearful, or unable to respond to questions. Seek Care Now Based on your answers, you may need care right away.
Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour. You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you. You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.
Seek Care Today Based on your answers, you may need care soon. Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today. If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning. If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner. Call Now Based on your answers, you need emergency care.
Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care. Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks. If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment. If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. Home Treatment Light-headedness usually is not a cause for concern unless it is severe, does not go away, or occurs with other symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat or fainting.
Protect yourself from injury if you feel light-headed: Lie down for a minute or two. This will allow more blood to flow to your brain. After lying down, sit up slowly and remain sitting for 1 to 2 minutes before slowly standing up. It is not unusual to develop light-headedness during some viral illnesses , such as a cold or the flu.
Resting will help prevent attacks of light-headedness. Do not drive a motor vehicle, operate equipment, or climb on a ladder while you are dizzy. Do not use substances that can affect your circulation, including caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. Do not get dehydrated , which can cause or increase light-headedness, when you have an illness that causes diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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