10 Things That Make You Dizzy and How to Stop Them

Ever felt lightheaded or off balance and wondered why? Dizziness can be unsettling, but it's often caused by things you can understand and manage. Whether it’s a skipped meal, dehydration, or a sudden head movement, knowing what’s behind that spinning feeling can help you feel more in control. 

In this blog, you will learn about 10 common reasons that may be making you dizzy—and more importantly, how to stop feeling dizzy when it happens. Let’s check out each cause and get clear guidance on how to stop dizziness with ease.

Common Causes Of Dizziness

Feeling dizzy can be unsettling, especially when it seems to come out of nowhere. Understanding what’s behind it is the first step to feeling better. Here are ten of the most common causes of dizziness and what might help.

Vertigo

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness where you feel like you or your surroundings are spinning. It’s often linked to issues in your inner ear.

• Can be triggered by sudden head movements or turning over in bed
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause
• May also result from inner ear infections or inflammation
• Balance issues, nausea, and vomiting often accompany the dizziness
• Head position changes can worsen symptoms
• Managing it may involve simple head exercises like the Epley manoeuvre

Motion Sickness

If you feel dizzy or sick during travel, it may be motion sickness. It happens when your eyes, inner ears, and body send mixed signals to your brain.

• Common during car, boat, or plane rides
• Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, and cold sweats
• Looking at a fixed point can help reduce symptoms
• Fresh air or facing forward while travelling may ease it
• Avoid reading or looking at screens during motion
• Ginger or over-the-counter remedies may offer relief

Migraine

Migraines aren’t just headaches, they are often accompanied by dizziness, which may present as vertigo or a general sense of imbalance.

• Some migraines include vertigo or imbalance
• Can occur with or without headache pain
• May be triggered by bright lights, lack of sleep, or certain foods
• Vision changes or sensitivity to light may also appear
• Keeping a migraine diary may help identify patterns
• Medications and lifestyle changes can manage symptoms

Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause sudden dizziness, especially when standing up.

• Causes reduced blood flow to your brain
• You might feel faint, especially after standing quickly
• Dehydration or certain medications can contribute
• Skipping meals can lower your blood pressure
• Compression stockings may help in some cases
• Staying hydrated and eating small, regular meals is key

Cardiovascular Disease

Heart problems can reduce blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness or even fainting.

• Irregular heartbeat or narrowed arteries may be the cause
• Dizziness may appear with chest pain or shortness of breath
• It can come on suddenly and feel quite intense
• Seek medical help if dizziness is paired with other heart symptoms
• Managing heart health is vital—monitor cholesterol and blood pressure
• Lifestyle changes and medications often help

Low Iron

Low iron (anaemia) means your blood can’t carry enough oxygen to your brain, leading to dizziness.

• Fatigue and shortness of breath may occur alongside dizziness
• Common in menstruating individuals or those with poor diets
• Can be confirmed with a simple blood test
• Iron-rich foods like spinach, lentils, and red meat can help
• Iron supplements may be recommended by your doctor
• Pairing iron with vitamin C helps absorption

Hypoglycaemia

Low blood sugar can happen if you skip meals or have diabetes, and it’s a well-known cause of feeling dizzy.

• You may feel shaky, sweaty, or confused
• Happens if your body doesn’t have enough fuel
• Drinking fruit juice or eating a quick snack can help
• Regular meals and snacks can prevent dips
• Diabetics should check blood sugar regularly
• Speak to your healthcare provider if it happens often

Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease

This condition causes your immune system to attack your inner ear, affecting balance and hearing.

• Often begins with sudden hearing loss or ringing in the ears
• Dizziness may be constant or come and go
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment can protect hearing
• Steroids may help reduce inflammation
• Hearing aids or balance therapy may be useful
• It’s rare, but worth considering if symptoms are persistent

Stress

When you're stressed, your body releases hormones that can affect your inner ear and blood flow.

• Dizziness may appear during or after periods of high stress
• Muscle tension and shallow breathing can contribute
• You may also feel fatigued or tense in your neck and shoulders
• Relaxation techniques like deep breathing can help
• Taking breaks and managing your schedule eases mental load
• Counselling or therapy may support long-term stress control

Anxiety

Anxiety often causes dizziness by increasing your heart rate and changing your breathing pattern.

• Panic attacks can lead to light-headedness
• Hyperventilating reduces carbon dioxide in your blood
• You may feel disconnected from your surroundings
• Slowing your breathing can make a big difference
• Grounding techniques—like focusing on your senses or surroundings—can reduce anxiety-related dizziness
• Professional help is available and very effective

How To Stop Feeling Dizzy?

Now that you understand some of the main causes of dizziness, you might be wondering what to do when it strikes. The good news is that many cases of dizziness are manageable with small changes. 

Let’s look at how to stop dizziness and prevent it in the future.

Drink Water

Dehydration is a common and often overlooked cause of dizziness.

• Even mild dehydration can affect your balance
• Aim to drink at least 6–8 glasses of water daily, or more depending on activity level
• More fluids may be needed in hot weather or after exercise
• Herbal teas and water-rich fruits can help too

Rest And Move Carefully

Sudden movements can worsen dizziness or trigger vertigo.

• If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down until it passes
• Avoid getting up quickly from a sitting or lying position
• Move slowly and hold onto something if needed
• Use extra care at night when getting out of bed

Perform The Epley Manoeuvre

This simple exercise can help relieve vertigo caused by BPPV.

• It involves moving your head in a specific pattern
• Helps reposition tiny calcium crystals (otoconia) in your inner ear
• Usually done on your bed or with a therapist
• Search online for a trusted step-by-step guide or ask your doctor

Avoid Triggers

Knowing what brings on your dizziness helps you steer clear of it.

• Bright lights, skipping meals, or motion can be triggers
• Keep a diary to notice patterns
• Manage screen time and avoid sudden head movements
• Take breaks to reset your senses

Address The Underlying Cause

If your dizziness keeps coming back, it’s important to find out why.

• Talk to a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis
• Blood tests, balance assessments, or scans might be needed
• Managing a condition like diabetes or anaemia can stop the dizziness
• Treatment is more effective when you know the root cause
• This is the key to how to stop feeling dizzy and staying well

All in all, if you are wondering how to stop dizziness, stay well-hydrated, avoid sudden movements, and manage your triggers. If dizziness persists, a proper medical evaluation can help uncover the root cause.

Other Possible Ways

Medications For Dizziness

• Water Pills: If you are living with Meniere’s disorder, your doctor will prescribe you, diuretics. These are also called water pills. These pills, along with a low-sodium diet, will help reduce your dizziness spells.
• Antihistamines and Anticholinergics: These medications can provide immediate relief from nausea, dizziness, and vertigo.
• Alprazolam and Diazepam: These medications, such as Xanax and Valium are part of a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. These can lead to addiction. However, they are often prescribed for treating dizziness spells.

Surgery and Other Medical Procedures

• Injections: Another treatment for dizziness caused due to inner ear issues is injecting antibiotic gentamicin inside the inner ear. This is done to disable its balance function. Once this is done, the healthy ear takes over its function to keep you balanced.
• Inner ear removal: A procedure known as labyrinthectomy is sometimes performed. This is done to disable the affected ear’s vestibular labyrinth. This caused the healthy ear to take over the balancing function. This treatment is used for serious hearing loss or if your dizziness is not responding to any other treatments.

Therapy For Dizzines

• Head position manoeuvres: A technique known as canalith repositioning is often used to resolve benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It may be performed by your doctor, a physical therapist, or an audiologist. The therapy involves manoeuvring your head position. The treatment requires a minimum of two sittings to show results.
• Balance therapy: This therapy involves learning specific exercises. This is to ensure that your balance system is less sensitive to motion. The technique is also known as vestibular rehabilitation. It is most often recommended to be people with inner ear issues such as vestibular neuritis.
• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is often recommended to people who suffer from dizziness due to anxiety disorders.