Dizziness

Sections

Care & Treatment

Treatment depends on the causes of dizziness and the person’s health and medical history. 

Medication-related Dizziness

Many medications are associated with dizziness, lightheadedness, and a higher risk of falls. These include medications used to treat:

  • Anxiety, depression, and insomnia
  • Epilepsy
  • Psychosis
  • High blood pressure

Stopping, changing, or adjusting the dose of these medications may help reduce dizziness.

Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV occurs when calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged from their normal position. This can cause sudden episodes of vertigo that are triggered by changes in head position.

This type of vertigo often improves within a few days or weeks without treatment. However, a healthcare professional can perform the “Epley maneuver” to treat it. This 15-minute procedure uses slow head and body movements to reposition the loose calcium crystals in the inner ear.

After the Epley maneuver, a person should:

  • Keep the treated ear above shoulder level for the rest of the day
  • Avoid lying down
  • Keep the head slightly elevated on pillows that night

Symptoms usually improve by the next day, but the maneuver may need to be repeated.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is inflammation of the labyrinth, a part of the inner ear that helps control hearing and balance.

Your healthcare professional may prescribe motion sickness medications to help relieve vertigo and dizziness. Antibiotics may be needed in some cases. If symptoms continue, a healthcare professional may recommend rehabilitation exercises to improve balance.

This condition may improve on its own without medication.

Meniere disease

This is a disease of the inner ear that can cause vertigo, hearing loss, sensation of ear fullness, and ringing of the ears. This disease is not curable, but medication and certain lifestyle changes and other interventions can ease the symptoms. These include:

  •  Water pills and a low salt diet to help reduce fluid build-up in the inner ear. A limit of 1,500 mg of salt per day may be necessary.
  • Distribute meals evenly throughout to regulate the fluids in your body. Five or six small meals may be better than three large ones.
  • Rehabilitation exercises may also help when symptoms continue.

Orthostatic hypotension

Medication adjustments and lifestyle changes can help with orthostatic hypotension (sudden low blood pressure). 

Medications

Your healthcare provider might recommend adding, stopping, or adjusting dosages of your medications.  Some medications may be helpful in treating orthostatic hypotension, including those that:

  • Increase the amount of blood in your body
  • Raise blood pressure while you are standing up

Diet and other lifestyle changes 

  • Reducing or eliminating alcohol
  • Increasing your daily consumption of non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated fluids to avoid dehydration.
  • Avoiding sudden shifts in positions, especially after being in bed or sitting, eating a large meal, or using the toilet.
  • Getting up slowly and waiting a few moments until any dizziness has passed before beginning to walk
  • Wearing over-the-knee pressure stockings to help prevent blood pooling in your feet and lower legs.
  • Avoiding walking or exercising in very hot weather.

 

Last Updated April 2026

Back To Top