Dizziness is a disorienting sensation that may be described as feeling faint, unsteady or lightheaded. These feelings may be attributed to minor physiological changes, such as those caused by standing too quickly or consuming too much caffeine. However, dizziness may also be a sign of more serious underlying factors, such as a neurological (nervous system) disease.

Dizziness is related to the body’s sense of balance. Maintaining balance, or equilibrium, depends on the brain and spinal cord (known as the central nervous system) processing information from several sensory systems, including those of the ears, eyes, skin, muscles and joints. A person may feel dizzy when one or more of these systems send contradictory information to the brain or the brain is unable to process the information it receives.

Physicians typically associate four disorders with dizziness: vertigo, disequilibrium, near-fainting (presyncope) and non-specific dizziness. They differ in the patient’s sensations and the associated physiological activities. In addition to these forms of dizziness, the patient may also experience other symptoms including confusion, nausea and fainting.

Dizziness may result from minor imbalances in the body or be a symptom of a more serious condition. In some cases, sitting or lying down may help the sensation pass. Patients should consult the physician if the dizziness does not pass within a few days, becomes severe, or is associated with a loss of coordination. In some cases, dizziness may be a sign of a stroke, brain tumor, multiple sclerosis or epilepsy, and early detection may aid treatment for the underlying condition.