Emory Healthcare Dizziness is a sensation that makes you feel unbalanced or light-headed. When you’re dizzy, you may feel like you’re about to fall or even pass out.
While the cause of your dizziness may be as simple as dehydration or medication side effects, it can also be a sign of illness or a neurological issue.
If you have problems with dizziness or balance, you need special care. At the Dizziness & Balance Center at Emory Healthcare, our experts treat people with these issues every day. This means we know the best, newest treatments.
Our doctors also lead ongoing research studies to learn even more.
Dizziness can be a side effect of medication, recreational drugs, alcohol or nicotine use, highly stressful or emotional events or not eating and drinking enough water.
Talk to a doctor if you experience recurring, sudden, severe or ongoing dizziness. Some causes of dizziness are:
Benign Paroxysmal Position Vertigo (BPPV)
Head injuries, including concussions
Inner ear disorders, like Vestibular Neuritis or Meniere’s Disease
Migraines
Other diseases like MS, Parkinson’s, Brain Lesions, Acoustic Neuromas, etc.
Stroke
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following alongside your dizziness or vertigo:
Bleeding
Confusion or difficulty understanding those around you
Diarrhea
Feelings of weakness or numbness in your arms, hands or legs
Sudden, bad headache
Trouble talking, walking or swallowing
Vision changes
Vomiting whenever you eat or drink
Call 9-1-1 right away, as these symptoms may be an emergency. You should not drive yourself to the hospital.
Every year, 15 to 20% of adults experience dizziness and balance disorders. While anyone can have problems with dizziness and balance, the people most at risk are likely to be older. Women are also twice as likely to struggle with dizziness than men.
Other risk factors include:
Dizziness is a symptom caused by behavioral, environmental or underlying medical issues. Dizziness could be a symptom of other conditions.
First, your doctor will talk to you about your issue. We may ask how long you’ve felt dizzy, the time of day you notice it most and other questions to help us understand your condition.
We may perform one or several tests, including:
We offer the latest treatments and rehabilitation options for dizziness, vertigo and balance care.
Create a MyChart account to schedule online or call 404-778-3444 to schedule an appointment.