Experiencing dizziness and vomiting sensations: Identifying causes and managing relief
Dizziness and nausea are common symptoms that can be distressing and disrupt daily life. While migraines and stomach upsets are well-known causes, there are several other conditions that can lead to these symptoms.
Anemia, a shortage of healthy red blood cells, can reduce oxygen delivery to the brain, causing dizziness and lightheadedness, especially during exertion. Iron deficiency is a frequent cause of anemia[1].
Medication side effects can also contribute to these symptoms. Various medications, such as those for blood pressure, heart conditions, depression, anxiety, pain, sedatives, and antibiotics, can cause dizziness or lightheadedness[1][5].
Heart problems, including irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and heart failure, can reduce blood flow to the brain, leading to dizziness or fainting[1]. Similarly, blood pressure issues, both high (hypertension) and low (hypotension), can cause dizziness by affecting brain blood flow[1].
Inner ear disorders like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis, and vestibular neuritis affect the inner ear and balance system, causing vertigo, dizziness, and nausea. BPPV involves dislodged calcium crystals in the ear; labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis are inflammations often from infections[3].
Sleep deprivation can trigger nausea through inflammation and worsened gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, GERD, and peptic ulcers[2].
Dehydration, not drinking enough water, is a common cause of dizziness, especially in the morning[5]. Dysautonomia, dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, may cause dizziness and nausea, often worsened by dehydration, heat, stress, and alcohol[4].
A stomach virus or bacterial infection can cause nausea and vomiting, and some people with a stomach infection also feel dizzy or become dizzy because of dehydration. Electrolyte abnormalities can also cause dizziness and nausea.
Brain injuries, such as strokes, can cause nausea and dizziness, but are less common. If symptoms last for more than a few days, if pregnant and dehydrated, if other symptoms appear, if nausea or dizziness occur after starting a new medication, or if experiencing frequent migraine headaches or chronic anxiety, it's advisable to contact a doctor.
To reduce the risk of nausea and dizziness, strategies include hand washing, keeping children home when sick, avoiding public places when sick, staying hydrated, and seeking medical care for unexplained symptoms. Bacterial infections, often from food, may also cause stomach illnesses, with Salmonella and Escherichia coli being two of the causes. One of the most common causes of stomach illnesses is norovirus.
Numerous other infections, ranging from mild to life threatening, may cause nausea and dizziness, including herpes zoster oticus, ear infections, and infections of the eye that affect vision. Migraine headaches can cause vision problems, dizziness, unusual sensations, and vomiting, with or without head pain.
In case of symptoms of a stroke (numbness or tingling on one side of the body, drooping face, confusion, and muscle weakness on one side of the body), an emergency room visit is required.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Dizziness and lightheadedness. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dizziness-and-lightheadedness/symptoms-causes/syc-20369635
[2] National Sleep Foundation. (2019). Sleep and gastrointestinal health. [online] Available at: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/sleep-and-gastrointestinal-health
[3] American Hearing Research Foundation. (2021). Vestibular disorders. [online] Available at: https://www.american-hearing.org/vestibular-disorders/
[4] Dysautonomia International. (2021). What is autonomic nervous system dysfunction? [online] Available at: https://dysautonomiainternational.org/what-is-dysautonomia/
[5] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Dizziness and vertigo. [online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/10057-dizziness-and-vertigo
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