Dizziness – causes, symptoms and when it is serious

Dizziness is a common symptom with many possible causes, ranging from harmless to more serious conditions. It may increase the risk of falls, especially in older adults [1].

How common is dizziness?

Dizziness is something most people experience at some point in life. It is especially common among older adults and can be caused by several factors at the same time. In some cases, dizziness is harmless and passes on its own, but it can also be a sign of an underlying condition.

What is dizziness?

Dizziness is not a disease itself but a symptom. It can be experienced in different ways, such as a spinning sensation, unsteadiness, or feeling like you might faint. Different types of dizziness may have different causes, which makes it important to understand how the symptoms present.

Common causes of dizziness

Dizziness can have many different causes, and often several factors contribute at the same time.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

One of the most common causes of dizziness is BPPV, where small crystals in the inner ear become displaced. This leads to brief episodes of spinning dizziness triggered by head movements. Symptoms often appear suddenly, for example when lying down or turning in bed.

Sudden dizziness

Dizziness that occurs suddenly and without warning can have several causes, such as blood pressure drops, inner ear problems, or in some cases more serious conditions. This type of dizziness often increases fall risk because the body does not have time to adjust.

Low blood pressure

Dizziness can occur when blood pressure drops, especially when standing up quickly. This is known as orthostatic hypotension and is common in older adults. Symptoms may include dimmed vision and a feeling of weakness.

Nerve-related causes

Nerve damage, such as in polyneuropathy, can affect sensation in the feet and thereby impair balance. This often leads to a more persistent feeling of unsteadiness rather than spinning dizziness.

Medications

Many medications can cause dizziness, particularly in older adults who take multiple drugs. Common examples include sleeping pills, sedatives, and blood pressure medications. The effect may be stronger when several medications are combined.

Common symptoms of dizziness

The experience of dizziness can vary depending on the cause.

Common symptoms include:

Spinning sensation
Unsteadiness or balance problems
Feeling faint
Nausea
Difficulty focusing

Symptoms may be brief or more persistent and recurring.

Dizziness and fall risk

Dizziness affects balance and reaction time, making it harder to move safely.

This can lead to:

Tripping
Misjudging distances
Sudden falls

In older adults, the risk is especially high because multiple factors often interact, such as reduced vision, muscle weakness, and slower reflexes. Studies show that dizziness is a significant risk factor for falls [2].

When is dizziness serious?

Dizziness is common and often harmless, but in some cases it may indicate something more serious.

Seek medical attention if dizziness:

Occurs suddenly and is severe
Leads to falls
Is associated with fainting
Worsens over time
Occurs together with other symptoms such as weakness or vision changes

It is especially important to investigate the cause in older adults, where the consequences of falls can be serious.

Safety alarm with automatic fall alarm can increase safety for people with an increased risk of falling

Sensorem’s personal alarm is an example of a technical aid specially developed for people who have an increased risk of falling. The personal alarm can automatically trigger the alarm in the event of a fall and then call relatives using the watch’s built-in speakerphone with two-way communication. The personal alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning so that relatives can see the user’s position on a map in the Sensorem app.