Understanding Dizziness, Balance Problems, and Fainting

Balance is a group effort of the eyes, inner ear, joints, and muscles. They each send signals to the brain about your body's position and head movement. Then the brain uses this information to achieve balance. When the brain receives conflicting signals, or when there is a problem with blood flow, dizziness or fainting can happen.

Woman balancing on one foot.

Vertigo

Vertigo is the feeling of spinning, tilting, falling, or feeling off balance that may occur with nausea or vomiting. It may happen if the brain receives conflicting balance signals. Vertigo affects all ages. Vertigo is often caused by a problem in the inner ear such as:

  • Changes in inner ear structures

  • Labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis, which is inflammation of the nerve that carries signals from the inner ear to the brain and is often caused by a viral infection

  • Swelling or excess fluid in the ear

  • Ménière disease, which consists of vertigo, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and hearing loss

Rarely, vertigo is due to a brain problem such as a migraine, stroke, or tumor.

Disequilibrium

Disequilibrium is the feeling of imbalance without a sense of spinning. It is sometimes described as a feeling of floating. This feeling makes walking very difficult or unsteady. It may happen if the signal pathways between the body and brain are disrupted. There are many causes of disequilibrium, including certain medicines, diabetes, anemia, head injury, and aging.

Fainting (Syncope)

Syncope is losing consciousness or fainting for a short period and then waking up. It is also called “passing out.” The brain needs oxygen-rich blood to function. The heart pumps that blood to the brain. You may faint if there is a problem with the heart, blood flow (such as low blood pressure), or blood vessels. Fainting is most often due to prolonged standing, straining to pass urine or stool, pregnancy, standing up suddenly, use of certain medicines, and strong emotions (such as pain or fear). Seek immediate medical help for anyone who has passed out.

The healthcare provider will try to find out and correct the cause of the fainting. But sometimes, the cause can't be found.

After an episode of syncope, you may be advised not to drive and to avoid heights or heavy machinery-related work.