The causes of dizziness are numerous, and it might be difficult to list them all. It is also important to describe dizziness. Some people use the term to refer to fainting, while others mean loss of balance, trouble concentrating, feeling light-headed, nauseated, or feeling light-headed or "vertigo." Due to the many things that can be listed as part of being "dizzy", the number of potential causes increases significantly.
Many of the causes of dizziness are not serious illnesses, but there are some things that can be. Being dizzy can be a sign of a head injury, and anyone who is talking about having vertigo, nausea, feeling faint, confused, or lightheaded after a head injury should be checked for a serious brain injury. People who have overdosed on medication or alcohol may become dizzy. Strokes or heart attacks can cause these feelings, as can dehydration, migraines, and some diseases related to aging, such as peripheral neuropathy.
While it's important to understand the serious causative factors for this condition, it's also fair to say that many people get dizzy for explainable, non-dangerous reasons. Taking certain medications can cause dizziness, just like being on a cruise ship. Often when people talk about not being able to balance, they may have mild problems with the inner ear and the condition may be diagnosed as labyrinthitis. Sometimes people have a condition called Meniere's disease, which causes excess fluid in the ear and can lead to dizziness. Depending on the cause, medications can help end dizziness.
Some people experience vertigo or spinning sensations when they change positions. This could be the result of changes in blood pressure when a person goes from sitting to standing. Alternatively, this is sometimes simply called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It can result from aging, although it can also sometimes be caused by a head injury or other factors. It's usually not a big concern, but people should be careful, especially when getting up or out of bed in the morning.
Another cause of dizziness is panic attacks. Some people get true vertigo, and not just when they're exposed to things they fear like heights. Part of the reason spinning or nausea may occur is because people who have anxiety attacks may hyperventilate. This can result in lower-than-normal oxygen levels in the brain, which can make the world go round or make a person feel dizzy or pass out.
In most cases where dizziness is not caused by serious conditions, the main concern is to make sure people don't fall or injure themselves during a period of dizziness. This becomes particularly important as people age, when they may be more susceptible to serious injury from falls. People who routinely experience dizziness should see their doctors to identify the cause, seek treatment if necessary, and learn ways to modify behavior so they can protect themselves from accidental injury from a fall.