Description

Lightheadedness is feeling as if you might faint. Your body may feel heavy, while your head feels as if it is not getting enough blood. Another way to describe lightheadedness is as a “reeling sensation.” Lightheadedness may be accompanied by clouded vision and a loss of balance.

While not always cause for concern, lightheadedness can sometimes indicate an underlying medical condition and can increase your risk of experiencing a fall. For this reason, you should take caution when you feel lightheaded.

Lightheadedness often occurs when you move quickly from a seated to a standing position. This positional change results in decreased blood flow to the brain. This can create a drop in blood pressure that makes you feel faint. You are more likely to experience this condition if you are dehydrated due to illness or insufficient fluid intake. The sensation may improve when you sit or lie back down.