What Causes Dizziness

What Causes Dizziness: Causes, Types, and How to Get Relief

Dizziness is a common yet frustrating symptom that can disrupt daily life, making it difficult to function at work, engage in activities, and even complete simple tasks. Many people are constantly searching for what causes dizziness or even the causes of dizziness in women, since hormonal changes, pregnancy, and menopause can all play a role. Dr. Zimmerman at Peak Brain and Body in Wesley Chapel, Tampa area, has helped many complex dizziness cases using an integrative medicine approach that combines both functional medicine and functional neurology.

Many people struggle for months or even years to get answers because they don’t know where to look or what questions to ask. If that sounds like you, keep reading—we’re going to break down everything you need to know about dizziness, the symptoms of dizziness and vertigo, and how you can take steps toward recovery. This will help you understand why some people do well with one treatment, but others don’t respond at all.

What is Dizziness?

“Dizziness” is a broad term that can mean different things to different people. Some describe it as feeling lightheaded, off-balance, or like the world is shifting around them. Others experience a sensation of spinning, known as vertigo. Understanding the difference is critical because using the wrong terminology could lead to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment.

• Vertigo: A rotational sensation where either you feel like you are spinning or the world around you is spinning.

• Dizziness: A general feeling of unsteadiness, lightheadedness, or imbalance without a spinning sensation.

This distinction matters because the underlying causes of vertigo in women may differ from the broader causes of vertigo and dizziness found in men or the general population. The right diagnosis ensures the right treatment.

The 5 Key Causes of Dizziness

In this section, we are going to discuss in detail what causes dizziness and set a framework for finding answers. Dizziness is a brain-based issue, meaning that if your brain isn’t processing signals correctly, you’re going to feel off balance.

1. Inflammation

Inflammation in the brain or body can impact your nervous system, leading to dizziness. Food sensitivities, infections, and allergies are common triggers. Some people may experience dizziness and nausea simultaneously, particularly when inflammation disrupts the balance systems in the ear and brain. Common sources include:

• Food sensitivities: Gluten, dairy, and ultra-processed foods can cause systemic inflammation.
• Infections: Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections, including mold exposure, can contribute to dizziness.
• Allergies: Seasonal allergies can create congestion in the eustachian tubes, impacting balance and stability.

2. Metabolic Issues

Metabolic problems like anemia, thyroid dysfunction, and blood sugar imbalances are common causes of dizziness in women, particularly during pregnancy or menopause. Low iron, thyroid fluctuations, and poor blood sugar control can all lead to dizziness, fatigue, and confusion. Key metabolic causes of dizziness include:

• Anemia: Low iron levels reduce oxygen delivery to the brain, leading to dizziness. A complete iron panel (including ferritin and iron saturation) is essential for proper diagnosis. Many will only have a CBC and be told things are normal, but this will miss many individuals who have an iron deficiency.
• Thyroid Dysfunction: Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can contribute to dizziness. Proper thyroid testing should include TSH, T4, T3, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies.
• Blood Sugar Imbalances: Both high and low blood sugar levels can cause dizziness. Symptoms of dysregulated blood sugar include energy crashes after meals or sudden surges in energy.

3. Musculoskeletal Issues

Your neck and spinal alignment play a significant role in balance. Poor posture, cervical spine dysfunction, or muscle imbalances can all contribute to instability. For some people, this dizziness is worse after waking or when they are dizzy after standing up, because positional changes stress the cervical spine.

• Cervical Spine Dysfunction: Poor posture, injuries, or surgeries in the neck can lead to dizziness.
• Muscle Imbalances: If the muscles around your neck send incorrect signals to your brain, it can create instability, as it creates confusion within the brain. 

For some of these individuals, they do well with chiropractic or physical therapy, but others will be made worse.

4. Vascular Issues

Proper blood flow is critical for brain function. When blood flow is disrupted, dizziness can occur.

• Blood Pressure: Sudden drops can cause lightheadedness or dizziness after standing.

• Dehydration: A lack of fluids can cause imbalance and faintness.

• Vascular Dementia: Many wonder, does vascular dementia cause dizziness? Yes—poor circulation to the brain can lead to dizziness and vascular dementia symptoms overlapping. Research shows a connection between vascular dementia and dizziness, especially when blood flow is compromised.

5. Neurological Causes

Dizziness is ultimately a neurological issue, meaning that problems within the nervous system can be a major cause.

• Dysautonomia/POTS: A condition where the autonomic nervous system fails to regulate blood pressure and heart rate properly, leading to dizziness upon standing.
• Vestibular Dysfunction: The inner ear plays a crucial role in balance. If the vestibular system is impaired, dizziness and vertigo can result.
• Concussions and Brain Injuries: Even mild concussions can lead to dizziness for months or years if left untreated.
• Stroke & Multiple Sclerosis: More severe neurological conditions, such as stroke and MS, can impact balance and coordination.

As you are probably gathering by now, when someone wants to know what causes dizziness, the answer isn’t black and white. Some individuals only have one of the components from above, but many others will have overlapping components that have to be addressed as a complete unit.

How to Get Relief from Dizziness

If you’re experiencing dizziness, the key to relief is identifying and addressing the root cause. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Get Proper Testing: Functional Medicine Labs in Wesley Chapel | Tampa, FL

Most traditional doctors only check basic bloodwork, but you may need more comprehensive testing, including:

• Iron panel (Ferritin, TIBC, Iron Saturation, Serum Iron)
• Thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Thyroid Antibodies)
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
• Inflammatory Markers (CRP, Homocysteine, ESR)
• Functional Neurological Evaluation

A functional neurological evaluation for dizziness includes videooculography, computerized balance posturography, and a comprehensive physical examination that reveals what MRI and CT scans don’t. It’s why we see so many individuals finally get answers after they’ve been told nothing is wrong or the provider didn’t know what could be done.

2. Address Inflammation

• Eliminate inflammatory foods (processed foods, gluten, dairy, excess sugar).
• Reduce exposure to mold, allergens, and environmental toxins.
• Consider anti-inflammatory supplements such as omega-3s and curcumin.

3. Support Your Metabolism

• Ensure adequate iron, B vitamins, and thyroid support based on lab values.
• Balance blood sugar by eating protein-rich, fiber-dense meals.
• Stay hydrated with adequate electrolytes.

4. Improve Neck and Postural Health

• Seek chiropractic care, physical therapy, or massage if musculoskeletal issues are contributing to dizziness. If this helps you, then fantastic, and keep going. If it’s not helping you or makes you feel worse, then know there is more to the story, and a more in-depth evaluation and treatment are necessary.
• Work on neck exercises and posture correction to optimize brain-body communication.

5. Strengthen Brain & Nervous System Function Utilizing Functional Neurology

• Perform eye and vestibular exercises under professional guidance.
• Targeted neurological therapy integrates cognition, hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and balance.
• Avoid excessive caffeine or stimulants that could worsen symptoms.

Final Thoughts: Taking Control of Your Health

If you’ve been struggling with dizziness for months or even years without answers, it’s time to take a different approach. Whether your dizziness comes with nausea, happens after standing, or is even related to conditions like vascular dementia and dizziness, solutions exist.

At Peak Brain and Body, Dr. Spencer Zimmerman and his team specialize in uncovering what other providers have missed. From causes of vertigo to brain-based balance rehabilitation, our goal is to get to the root of your symptoms. You don’t have to keep suffering—answers are available, and recovery is possible.

Request a Discovery Consult with our team today to finally find relief.