Some people over age 60 have few, if any, symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), while others experience the same symptoms younger people do. Dizziness and vertigo. The fix may be as simple as adjusting the dose or trying a different drug. In rare instances when people have a life-threatening allergic reaction to a drug, they might become lightheaded or even pass out. The way dizziness makes you feel and your triggers provide clues for possible causes. Not sure what you can stomach? Accessed Aug. 5, 2018. Flint PW, et al. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. But if you’re feeling lightheaded? Accessed Aug. 5, 2018. The episode may last seconds or days and may recur. It’s usually no big deal, but if it happens a lot or if it gets worse instead of better after a few minutes have passed, it’s worth bringing up with your doctor. Does human growth hormone slow the aging process? Simple sugars cause spikes in blood sugar, resulting in feeling lightheaded or weak. Blame dehydration and low blood sugar: You probably don’t feel much like eating or drinking, but both can keep lightheadedness and other awful flu symptoms at bay, Dr. Burroughs Peña says. your doctor may ask. Should I worry about a sudden swollen tongue? If you’re dizzy, you may also experience a sensation of spinning that’s called vertigo. Generally, see your doctor if you experience any recurrent, sudden, severe, or prolonged and unexplained dizziness or vertigo. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. The Harvard Medical School 6-Week Plan for Healthy Eating, Improving Memory: Understanding Age-Related Memory Loss, Beyond "bad" cholesterol: A closer look at your blood lipids, Heart-related complications in people hospitalized with the flu, Why you should move — even just a little — throughout the day, Blood test could find Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms appear, Use topical painkillers for strains and sprains, 5 factors to help you gauge where COVID-19 risk is highest, 5 things to know about your morning cup of joe, Gum disease linked to an increased risk for cancer, More daily movement may lower cancer deaths, Oral health problems may raise cancer risk. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. A similar reaction can be triggered when your college roommate jumps out from behind the couch at your surprise birthday party. Dizziness is one of the more common reasons adults visit their doctors. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Anemia. Some people are simply predisposed to feeling lightheaded or even fainting when they … Peripheral vestibular disorders. As we get older, this system may deteriorate, causing a temporary drop in blood pressure when we stand—known as orthostatic hypotension—resulting in lightheadedness. Some men with an enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH for short) eventually start to experience urinary incontinence, the involuntary discharge of urine. Bystander CPR may help cardiac arrest survivors return to work, A new look at treating Alzheimer's disease, Atrial fibrillation: The latest treatment trends, Many older adults take unneeded blood pressure drugs, Get trusted advice from the doctors at Harvard Medical School, Learn tips for living a healthy lifestyle, Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in health, Receive special offers on health books and reports.