Dizziness
‘Dizziness’ can mean feeling lightheaded, off-balance, or that the room is spinning (vertigo). Common causes include dehydration, low blood pressure on standing, inner-ear problems and anaemia. Dizziness with weakness on one side, slurred speech, sudden severe headache, chest pain or fainting needs emergency assessment.
Key information
- Symptom
- Dizziness
- Category
- Brain & nervous system
- Common possible causes
- Dehydration and heat exposure, Postural hypotension (drop in blood pressure on standing), Inner-ear problems (BPPV, vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis), Migraine
- Tests that may be considered
- Full blood count, Ferritin, TSH, HbA1c
- Clinic assessment
- Available same day
- Home doctor visit
- Available across Dubai
- Home blood test
- Available across Dubai
- Date reviewed
- 2026-07-01
What this symptom means
Dizziness is an umbrella term for several sensations: lightheadedness, imbalance, near-fainting, or true vertigo (a spinning feeling). Each pattern points to different causes.
Common possible causes
- · Dehydration and heat exposure
- · Postural hypotension (drop in blood pressure on standing)
- · Inner-ear problems (BPPV, vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis)
- · Migraine
- · Anaemia
- · Low blood sugar
- · Anxiety and hyperventilation
- · Medication side-effects
Less common possible causes
- · Meniere’s disease
- · Vestibular migraine
- · Cervical spine issues
- · Ear infection
Serious causes that must not be missed
- · Stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- · Cardiac arrhythmia
- · Severe anaemia
- · Brain lesion
- · Dizziness with facial droop, slurred speech or one-sided weakness
- · Dizziness with sudden severe headache
- · Dizziness with chest pain or breathlessness
- · Dizziness with fainting or seizure
- · Sudden severe hearing loss with vertigo
Call 998 (UAE ambulance) or attend the nearest emergency department for any of the above.
When a same-day GP is appropriate
- · New unexplained dizziness affecting daily activity
- · Dizziness with palpitations
- · Dizziness with recurrent falls
When a routine GP appointment is fine
- · Occasional lightheadedness on standing that settles quickly
- · Well-understood BPPV attacks with typical positional trigger
Questions a doctor may ask
- · Is it spinning (vertigo), lightheadedness, imbalance, or near-fainting?
- · How long do episodes last and what triggers them?
- · Any hearing change, tinnitus or ear discomfort?
- · Any recent viral illness, dehydration or diarrhoea?
- · Any weakness, speech or vision change?
- · What medicines do you take, and any new ones recently?
History factors that may matter
- · Recent viral illness
- · Poor fluid intake
- · Cardiovascular risk factors
- · New medications (especially blood-pressure, sedating, or diuretic)
What may happen during the examination
- · Lying and standing blood pressure
- · Pulse and rhythm
- · Ear examination
- · Basic neurological examination
- · Positional testing where appropriate (e.g. Dix-Hallpike for BPPV)
Tests that may be considered
Blood tests
- · Full blood count
- · Ferritin
- · TSH
- · HbA1c
- · Kidney function and electrolytes
Other tests
- · ECG
- · Audiology referral if hearing loss
- · MRI (partner referral) if suspected central cause
When a specialist referral may be considered
- · ENT for persistent vertigo
- · Neurology for suspected central cause
- · Cardiology if arrhythmia identified
Possible treatment approaches
- · Address underlying cause (rehydration, medication review, iron replacement)
- · Vestibular rehabilitation exercises
- · Repositioning manoeuvres for BPPV
- · Anti-emetics short-term for acute vertigo
Safe self-care
- · Stand up slowly, particularly in the morning
- · Drink water regularly in Dubai’s heat
- · Avoid dehydration during Ramadan by planning fluid intake
- · Reduce alcohol
Best avoided
- · Driving while dizzy
- · Ignoring dizziness with neurological symptoms
How Aafiyah can help
- · Same-day GP with lying/standing BP and ECG
- · Home doctor visit for older adults or when unsafe to travel
- · Home blood testing across Dubai
Related tests
Related conditions
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Vestibular neuritis
- Postural hypotension
- Iron deficiency anaemia
Related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
Can dehydration cause dizziness in Dubai?+
Yes — Dubai’s heat and dry indoor air mean many people are chronically under-hydrated, especially during Ramadan or if working outdoors. Dehydration is a common contributor to dizziness, but should not be assumed as the sole cause without appropriate assessment.
When should dizziness be treated as an emergency?+
Any dizziness with facial droop, slurred speech, one-sided weakness, sudden severe headache, fainting, chest pain or severe hearing loss should be treated as an emergency — call 998 or attend A&E.
Medical references
- · NICE CKS — Dizziness (lightheadedness) — cks.nice.org.uk
- · NICE CKS — Vertigo — cks.nice.org.uk
- · NHS — Dizziness — nhs.uk
Medically reviewed by: Dr Shahbaz Afzal — British-trained Family Medicine Consultant, DHA-licensed
Written: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed: 2026-07-01 · Next review: 2027-01-01
This page provides general medical information for people in Dubai and the UAE. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified clinician about any medical concern.
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