Could it be an inner-ear issue? Your medications? How to figure out the problem—and fix it.
By Janet Lee
Whether it’s a moment of lightheadedness or the room-whirling sensation of vertigo, dizziness can be unsettling. It can also knock you off-balance. A 2024 analysis published in the journal Age and Ageing found that it’s linked to a significantly higher risk of future or recurrent falls in older adults. That’s a good reason to lower yourself to a safe, seated position if you feel dizzy.
Dizziness is more likely to crop up as we age. “Anywhere from 13 to 38 percent of older adults, or even 50 percent of the very old, experience dizziness,” says Caroline Park, MD, PhD, a geriatrician with Keck Medicine of USC in Los Angeles. But while dizziness is sometimes a signal of a more serious problem, such as a tumor or a heart condition, it’s more often fleeting or easily treatable.
What Can Cause Dizziness
A common cause is the shifting of tiny inner-ear crystals that help us maintain balance. When these move out of their normal spot—which happens more often in older adults—it can create a spinning sensation known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. “If the room is spinning and it started suddenly when you got up from tying your shoe, let’s say, odds are you’re experiencing BPPV,” says Laurie Archbald-Pannone, MD, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville.
Dizziness that comes on gradually or when you sit up or stand up quickly could be due to dehydration or low blood pressure, Archbald-Pannone says. Diuretics, antidepressants, anxiety drugs, and blood pressure medication can all cause dizziness. Ear infections and even impacted earwax may also send your head spinning.
When to Call a Doctor
Occasional dizziness that lasts for only a few seconds is probably no cause for worry, but you should still let your doctor know, Archbald-Pannone says.
And if it persists for several minutes or more or keeps happening, call the doctor right away. Sudden dizziness or loss of balance, along with facial drooping, trouble speaking, nausea, and vision or hearing disturbances can signal a stroke. Call 911.
Try the Epley Maneuver
If your doctor thinks you have BPPV, they can teach you the Epley maneuver, where you turn your head and body in ways that move ear crystals back into place. For medication problems, they’ll work on ways to reduce side effects.
For persistent problems, doctors will check for infections, balance disorders, and more serious issues, such as tumors, congestive heart failure, an irregular heart rhythm, and conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
If none are found, your doctor may recommend vestibular rehab, which may help with dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems. In about 20 percent of cases, doctors can’t find the cause, Park says. But anxiety or depression may be a possibility. “The risk of dizziness goes up one and a half times if you have a known history of anxiety,” she says. Treating this may ease your lightheadedness.
How to Head It Off
There’s no guaranteed way to head off dizziness, but these steps can help.
Slow down. If sudden movements sometimes make you dizzy, try moving more slowly when turning around or going from reclining to seated or seated to standing. That can give the systems in charge of balance time to process and adjust.
Stay well-hydrated. Because dehydration can lead to dizziness, get plenty of fluids every day. According to a review published in the journal Nutrients in 2020, adults should aim for 54 to 68 ounces of fluid daily (about 7 to 8.5 cups). Soup and watery vegetables like melon also help hydrate you.
Do a review. Each time you start a new medication, or if you’ve lost weight, go over all your meds with your doctor, including over-the-counter drugs, herbs, and dietary supplements. The doctor may need to adjust medication dosages and timing to prevent dizziness or other side effects.
Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the May 2025 issue of Consumer Reports On Health.
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