Feeling dizzy what should i take

A doctor will take into account what is producing the symptom and then suggest treatments that can include medications, therapies, lifestyle changes, or even surgery. Most of the time, no medication is needed, but there are some drugs that can be used to treat the underlying causes of dizziness. Depending on the cause, these can include:. Each of these medications can treat an underlying cause of dizziness, such as fluid buildup in the ear, anxiety , the side effects from a particular drug, or other reasons.

Lifestyle changes or a further visit to the doctor may be necessary if these treatments do not help alleviate the dizziness.

If medication is not helping to treat dizziness, an individual may need to try some lifestyle changes. These changes could be as simple as drinking more water or other non-alcoholic liquid to keep well-hydrated, or lying down when feeling dizzy.

There are several therapeutic approaches that can also be used to help relieve dizziness, such as head position maneuvers, balance therapy, or psychotherapy. Someone with dizziness that does not resolve on its own after at least a week should see a doctor immediately. Because dizziness is sometimes a symptom of a bigger issue, it is important for a doctor to diagnose the problem if the dizziness does not fade or become more manageable.

When trying to get rid of dizziness, it is important to remember that it is a symptom of another issue and not a medical disorder in itself. Certain medications can also cause dizziness as a side effect. People should always check the side effects of any medications they are taking to see if they may lead to dizziness.

Vertigo causes a similar feeling to dizziness but is a standalone condition. A person experiencing vertigo will feel like the environment around them is moving or spinning. Dizziness is a sensation while vertigo is the illusion of movement. When someone feels as though they are moving in a similar manner, it is called subjective vertigo. Diagnosing dizziness is often straightforward. Doctors will check to see if the person feels disorientated, woozy, or unbalanced.

They will then look for other symptoms before checking for the underlying cause of the dizziness. Common causes of dizziness include a migraine, medications, and alcohol. It can also be caused by a problem in the inner ear, where balance is regulated. Dizziness is often a result of vertigo as well. The most common cause of vertigo and vertigo-related dizziness is benign positional vertigo BPV. This causes short-term dizziness when someone changes positions quickly, such as sitting up in bed after lying down.

This causes fluid to build up in the ear with associated ear fullness, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Another possible cause for dizziness and vertigo is an acoustic neuroma. This is a noncancerous tumor that forms on the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. In rare cases, dizziness could be caused by multiple sclerosis , a stroke, a malignant tumor, or another brain disorder. Sometimes, dizziness is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or fainting.

Seek emergency medical help if you have these symptoms for extended periods. You should call your doctor if you continue to have repeated bouts of dizziness. You should also notify your doctor immediately if you experience sudden dizziness along with:.

Your doctor can narrow down the cause of dizziness and any other symptoms by performing a physical examination. Your doctor may also check your eyes and ears, do a neurological physical exam, observe your posture, and perform tests to check balance. Treatment for dizziness focuses on the underlying cause.

In most cases, home remedies and medical treatments can control the cause of dizziness. For example:. Most cases of dizziness clear up on their own once the underlying cause is treated. In rare cases, dizziness can be a sign of a more serious health problem.

Dizziness may result in complications when it causes fainting or a loss of balance. This can be especially dangerous when a person is driving or operating heavy machinery. Use caution if you feel an episode of dizziness coming on.

If you become dizzy, stop driving immediately or find a safe place to steady yourself until it passes. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

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