How To Get Rid Of Dizziness From A Cold

Definition

Dizziness is a term that is often used to describe 2 different symptoms: lightheadedness and vertigo.

Lightheadedness is a feeling that you might faint.

Vertigo is a feeling that you are spinning or moving, or that the world is spinning around you. Vertigo-associated disorders is a related topic.

Alternative Names

Lightheadedness - dizzy; Loss of balance; Vertigo

Considerations

Most causes of dizziness are not serious, and they either quickly get better on their own or are easy to treat.

Causes

Lightheadedness occurs when your brain does not get enough blood. This may occur if:

You have a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Your body does not have enough water (is dehydrated) because of vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and other conditions.
You get up too quickly after sitting or lying down (this is more common in older people).

Lightheadedness may also occur if you have the flu, low blood sugar, a cold, or allergies.

More serious conditions that can lead to lightheadedness include:

Heart problems, such as a heart attack or abnormal heart beat
Stroke
Bleeding inside the body
Shock (extreme drop in blood pressure)

If any of these serious disorders are present, you will usually also have symptoms like chest pain, a feeling of a racing heart, loss of speech, change in vision, or other symptoms.

Vertigo may be due to:

Benign positional vertigo, a spinning feeling that occurs when you move your head
Labyrinthitis, a viral infection of the inner ear that usually follows a cold or flu
Meniere disease, a common inner ear problem

Other causes of lightheadedness or vertigo may include:

Use of certain medicines
Stroke
Multiple sclerosis
Seizures
Brain tumor
Bleeding in the brain

Home Care

If you tend to get lightheaded when you stand up:

Avoid sudden changes in posture.
Get up from a lying position slowly, and stay seated for a few moments before standing.
When standing, make sure you have something to hold on to.

If you have vertigo, the following tips can help prevent your symptoms from becoming worse:

Keep still and rest when symptoms occur.
Avoid sudden movements or position changes.
Slowly increase activity.
You may need a cane or other help walking when you have a loss of balance during a vertigo attack.
Avoid bright lights, TV, and reading during vertigo attacks because they may make symptoms worse.

Avoid activities such as driving, operating heavy machinery, and climbing until 1 week after your symptoms disappear. A sudden dizzy spell during these activities can be dangerous.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or go to an emergency room if you are dizzy and have:

A head injury
Fever over 101°F (38.3°C), headache, or very stiff neck
Seizures
Trouble keeping fluids down
Chest pain
Irregular heart rate (heart is skipping beats)
Shortness of breath
Weakness
Inability to move an arm or leg
Change in vision or speech
Fainting and loss of alertness for more than a few minutes

Call your health care provider for an appointment if you have:

Dizziness for the first time
New or worsening symptoms
Dizziness after taking medicine
Hearing loss

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

When did your dizziness begin?
Does your dizziness occur when you move?
What other symptoms occur when you feel dizzy?
Are you always dizzy or does the dizziness come and go?
How long does the dizziness last?
Were you sick with a cold, flu, or other illness before the dizziness began?
Do you have a lot of stress or anxiety?

Tests that may be done include:

Blood pressure reading
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Hearing tests
Balance testing (ENG)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Your provider may prescribe medicines to help you feel better, including:

Antihistamines
Sedatives
Anti-nausea medicine

Surgery may be needed if you have Meniere disease.

References

Baloh RW, Jen JC. Hearing and equilibrium. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 428.

Chang AK. Dizziness and vertigo. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 16.

Kerber KA. Dizziness and vertigo. In: Benjamin IJ, Griggs RC, Wing EJ, Fitz JG, eds. Andreoli and Carpenter's Cecil Essentials of Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 113.

Muncie HL, Sirmans SM, James E. Dizziness: approach to evaluation and management. Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(3):154-162. PMID: 28145669 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28145669.

Version Info

Last reviewed on 5/13/2019
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.