Lightheadedness 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. Lightheadedness can lead to falls and other injuries. Protect yourself from injury if you feel lightheaded:

• 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.
• Rest. It is not unusual to develop lightheadedness during some viral illnesses, such as a cold or the flu. Resting will help prevent attacks of lightheadedness.
• 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 lightheadedness, when you have an illness that causes diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever. Drink more fluids, especially water. Other fluids are also helpful, such as fruit juice mixed to half-strength with water, rehydration drinks, weak tea with sugar, clear broth, and gelatin dessert. If you have another medical condition, such as kidney disease or heart disease, that limits the amount of fluids you are allowed to have, do not drink more than this amount without first talking to your doctor.

If you have vertigo:

• Do not lie flat on your back. Prop yourself up slightly to relieve the spinning sensation.
• Move slowly to avoid the risk of falling.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment.

• Nausea or vomiting develops or increases.
• Moderate to severe dehydration develops.
• Fainting occurs.
• Your symptoms do not improve in 1 week with the use of home treatment.
• Your symptoms become more severe or frequent.

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Please call 911 immediately if you are having chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, sudden weakness or numbness, or if you think you have a medical emergency.

Dizziness Treatment

Self-Care at Home

• Dizziness may be a symptom of something dangerous and should always be discussed with a doctor.
• At home, try to do the following:
  
  • Get plenty to drink, have regular meals, and get plenty of rest.
  • Standing up more slowly may help dizziness associated with position change.
  • Reassurance can help an anxious person who feels dizzy.
  • Make your home safe for a chronically dizzy person.
  • Banisters, a walker or cane, and tub mats provide orientation.
  • Secure rugs and carpeting to avoid falls.
  • A doctor can recommend resources for a professional home-safety consultant visit.

Medical Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of your dizziness.

• Doctors may start emergency treatment, perhaps for heart attack or stroke, an emergency blood transfusion, or surgery.
• Often, intravenous fluids clear up dehydration.
• You may receive medications to control fever or treat infection.
• You may be given oxygen right away.
• A blood test may show you have low blood sugar as a cause of dizziness.
• Other treatments for a specific disease may be started.
• Sometimes, the only treatment may be a discussion of a likely cause and home safety.

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