What is lightheadedness?

Lightheadedness is when you feel like you might faint or pass out. Some people call it 'feeling woozy'.

Lightheadedness is related to dizziness. Dizziness is when you feel unsteady or are having trouble keeping your balance.

Dizziness and lightheadedness can be upsetting and worrying. But these symptoms have many causes and don't always mean that you have a serious medical problem.

What symptoms are related to lightheadedness?

When you are feeling lightheaded, you might also have symptoms of:

• nausea and vomiting
• sweating
• blurred vision or loss of vision
• weakness
• headache
• looking pale

These symptoms may last for a few seconds up to a few minutes.

Your symptoms may come on suddenly or be related to a sudden change in position or another event. For example, feeling lightheaded when you stand up.

What causes lightheadedness?

Lightheadedness can have a range of different causes. You may feel lightheaded if you have:

• a drop in blood pressure when you stand up quickly
• low blood sugar
• side effects from some medicines
• anxiety or panic disorder
• emotional stress
• dehydration (not having enough fluids in your body) or heat stress
• been standing up for a long time, especially in hot weather

Lightheadedness can also be a symptom of conditions such as:

• heart arrhythmias
• low iron levels in your body, or anaemia
• a heart attack
• other heart problems, such as aortic stenosis
• problems with the nerves that control your blood pressure
• blood loss
• a severe infection or sepsis

You may feel lightheaded if you have vertigo, a sense that the room is spinning. Problems in your inner ear might cause vertigo.

How is the cause of lightheadedness diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms. They will want to know if anything seems to trigger your symptoms. They will also ask what medicines you are taking and about your family history.

Your doctor will examine you, including checking your blood pressure and heart rate.

They may recommend tests, such as:

• blood tests
• an electrocardiogram (ECG)
• scans — this will depend on your symptoms and physical examination

When should I see my doctor?

See a doctor if your lightheadedness doesn't go away or if you continue to feel unwell.

You should also see a doctor if your lightheadness causes you to fall and injure yourself.

Seek urgent care if you feel lightheaded or faint while sitting or lying down, or if you faint more than once.

When to seek urgent care

• have pain or pressure in your chest, arms, jaw or back
• have heart palpitations
• feel sick, cold and sweaty
• have trouble talking or are confused
• can't breathe properly
• are numb or weak on one side, have blurred vision or a headache
• have an injury or are bleeding

How is lightheadedness treated?

The treatment will depend on the cause of your symptoms.

Self-care at home and first aid

If you feel lightheaded, try these measures:

• sit or lie down — you may also find it helpful to raise your legs
• stay lying down for about 10 minutes, or until you feel better
• drink some water
• get some fresh air
• eat or drink something sweet

Don't drive a car or operate heavy machinery if you are feeling lightheaded.

Medicine changes

Sometimes, medicines can cause lightheadedness.

Your doctor can look at the medicines you take to see if they need to be changed. Or you could ask your pharmacist for a medication review.

Do not change or stop your medicines without checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

What are the complications of lightheadedness?

If you feel lightheaded, there is a risk you may:

• faint
• fall
• injure yourself

Can lightheadedness be prevented?

Some things that may help stop you feeling lightheaded are:

• drinking enough water throughout the day
• having regular meals
• getting enough rest
• changing positions or getting up slowly
• avoiding getting too hot
• avoiding other triggers

See your doctor if you often feel lightheaded — there may be a serious underlying cause.

Resources and support

Safer Care Victoria has a factsheet on fainting and collapse.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.