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Dizziness and Balance Disorders Brain Lightheadedness Vertigo (spinning motion) Unsteadiness Loss of balance Sensation of floating Heavy-headedness Spaciness Blurred vision Mental confusion Disorientation Feelings of depression Tiredness Difficulty concentrating Diarrhea Blood pressure Clamminess Nausea Vomiting Paleness Losing consciousness Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) Labrynthitis Meniere's disease Perilymph fistula Superior canal dehiscence syndrome Vertigo Vestibular migraine Benign tumors Gait problems Multiple sclerosis Orthopaedic surgeries Stroke Traumatic brain injury

Overview

What Are Dizziness and Balance Disorders?

People can experience dizziness or feeling off-balance in a variety of ways. The sensation has been described as being lightheaded, heavy-headed, unsteady, spinning or feeling motion sick, even when not moving.

Dizziness

Dizziness is not a disease itself, but a symptom of another underlying condition. When you feel dizzy, you likely feel one of two sensations:

Lightheadedness: A feeling that you may pass out
Vertigo: A feeling that your surrounding is spinning, even if it is not moving

Balance disorders

A balance disorder is a disturbance that makes you feel unsteady, woozy or have the sensation of moving, spinning or floating.

In the spirit of keeping you well-informed, the physician(s) identified are neither agents nor employees of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare or any of its affiliate organizations. They have selected our facilities as places where they want to treat and care for their private patients.

Looking for a Second Opinion?

It's vital that you're comfortable with your treatment decision and have confidence in your doctor. For these reasons, a second opinion with another specialist can help you make smart treatment decisions.

Learn more about seeking a second opinion

Understanding Dizziness, Balance Problems and Fainting

Learn what happens when the brain receives conflicting signals from the eyes, inner ear, joints and muscles.

Learn More

What Do You Know About Balance Disorders?

Although millions of Americans have balance disorders, they can be difficult to diagnose. That's because dizziness—a common symptom of these disorders—is such a broad term.

Take the Quiz

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