Dizziness: Causes, Medications, and What Really Helps

When you feel dizziness, a sensation of unsteadiness, spinning, or lightheadedness that disrupts daily function. Also known as vertigo, it’s not a disease—it’s a symptom. And it’s more common than you think, often linked to things like inner ear problems, medications, or even anxiety. Many people brush it off as "just a spell," but if it keeps coming back, it’s your body trying to tell you something.

One major cause? medication side effects, unintended reactions to drugs meant to treat other conditions. Drugs for high blood pressure, depression, or even antibiotics can throw off your balance. For example, SNRIs, like venlafaxine and duloxetine used for depression and nerve pain, can cause dizziness as a side effect, especially when you start or change the dose. Same goes for statins, cholesterol-lowering pills that sometimes trigger muscle weakness and dizziness. It’s not always the drug itself—it’s how your body reacts to it.

Then there’s the inner ear. Tiny structures there control your sense of balance. When they get inflamed or filled with fluid, you get vertigo—the spinning kind. This isn’t just from aging; infections, migraines, or even stress can trigger it. And here’s the twist: anxiety, a mental health condition that can cause physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat and dizziness, often mimics inner ear problems. People with generalized anxiety disorder report dizziness as often as they do racing thoughts. That’s why treatments like CBT or SSRIs sometimes help—not because they fix your ear, but because they calm the nervous system that’s overreacting.

It’s not always about pills. Fiber supplements can interfere with thyroid meds, and if your thyroid’s off, dizziness follows. Blood pressure meds might drop your pressure too fast. Even caffeine withdrawal can make you feel off-balance. The real trick? Figure out what’s triggering it—not just treating the feeling.

What you’ll find below are real, no-fluff posts that break down exactly how dizziness connects to medications, mental health, and everyday habits. No guesswork. Just clear links between what you’re taking, what’s happening in your body, and what you can actually do about it.