The way dizziness makes you feel and your triggers provide clues for possible causes. Sometimes it's caused by an underlying health condition, such as poor circulation, infection or injury. Within these cells are tiny particles (otoconia) that help monitor the position of your head in relation to gravity and linear motion, such as going up and down in an elevator or moving forward and backward in a car.ĭizziness has many possible causes, including inner ear disturbance, motion sickness and medication effects.

At the base of the canals are the utricle and saccule, each containing a patch of sensory hair cells. Loop-shaped canals in your inner ear contain fluid and fine, hairlike sensors that help you keep your balance. Get emergency medical care if you experience new, severe dizziness or vertigo along with any of the following: Generally, see your doctor if you experience any recurrent, sudden, severe, or prolonged and unexplained dizziness or vertigo. The episode may last seconds or days and may recur. Your dizziness may be accompanied by nausea or be so sudden or severe that you need to sit or lie down. These feelings may be triggered or worsened by walking, standing up or moving your head. A feeling of floating, wooziness or heavy-headedness.A false sense of motion or spinning (vertigo).People experiencing dizziness may describe it as any of a number of sensations, such as: