Vertigo, disequilibrium, presyncope and nonspecific dizziness may result from various underlying conditions, including diabetes. Dizziness is a common symptom of diabetic complications, including:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) or insulin shock
  
  
• Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), including autonomic neuropathy, which can cause postural hypotension, and peripheral neuropathy, which can cause numbness and weakness in the legs

• Cardiovascular diseases (disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels), such as:
  
  
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
  
  
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  
  
• Heart attack
  
  
• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (“mini-stroke”)
  
  
• Arrhythmia (an irregular heart rhythm)
  
  
• Sudden cardiac death (abrupt cessation of the heart)
  
  
• Valvular heart diseases (abnormality or dysfunction of the heart’s valves)
  
  
• Cardiomyopathy (enlargement or stiffening of heart muscle)
  
  
• Heart failure
  
  
• Dehydration or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome

In addition to diabetes, dizziness can also result from other endocrine disorders, such as Addison’s disease, acromegaly or thyroid dysfunction, including a serious, advanced form of hypothyroidism called myxedema.

Other causes of dizziness may include:

• Inner-ear disorders, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), acute labyrinthitis and Meniere’s disease
  
  
• Anemia (insufficient number of red blood cells)
  
  
• Heat stroke
  
  
• Many medications, including antihypertensives, anesthetics, diet pills and some birth control pills
  
  
• Drug abuse or withdrawal
  
  
• Anxiety, panic attacks or other mental disorders
  
  
• Migraines or other headaches
  
  
• Concussion
  
  
• Nervous system disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease)
  
  
• Aging
  
  
• Pregnancy or preeclampsia
  
  
• Menopause
  
  
• Arthritis in the neck
  
  
• Shock
  
  
• Seizures
  
  
• Hyperventilation
  
  
• High altitudes (typically above 5,000 feet)
  
  
• Strenuous coughing
  
  
• Fright (vasovagal episodes)
  
  
• Having blood drawn
  
  
• Excess consumption of caffeine or alcohol
  
  
• Excessive stomach acid or indigestion
  
  
• Food poisoning
  
  
• Usher syndrome (a genetic condition that impairs hearing and vision)