Repeated spells of lightheadedness

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Repeated spells of lightheadedness

Lightheadedness makes you feel as though you are about to faint or pass out. Symptoms usually improve or go away if you lie down for a few moments.

Lightheadedness usually is not serious. It is common to feel lightheaded occasionally. However, when persistent lightheadedness keeps you from completing your normal daily activities, an evaluation by a health professional usually is needed.

A serious cause of lightheadedness is bleeding. Most of the time when bleeding is present, the need to seek medical care is obvious. However, sometimes bleeding is not obvious (occult bleeding). Small amounts of bleeding may occur over days or weeks without being noticed. When this is the case, lightheadedness and fatigue may be the first noticeable symptoms of blood loss. If you have new lightheadedness, look for signs of bleeding, such as:

• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.
• Heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding. This bleeding is more serious if you:
  • Have new lightheadedness or feel as if you may pass out.
  • Have repeated dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting that occurs when you sit up or stand up.
  • Pass several blood clots that are larger than a quarter.
• Bloody or pink urine (hematuria). Blood in the urine may only show up when you look at a urine sample with a microscope.
• Increase in the number and severity of bruises (purpura).
• Several unexplained nosebleeds.

If lightheadedness and fainting (syncope) occur every time you stand up, blood loss or fluid loss may be the cause. Persistent lightheadedness and fainting requires evaluation by a health professional.

Credits

Last updated:	February 27, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer