Lightheadedness

Lightheadedness is a common and often unpleasant sensation of dizziness and/or feeling that one may be about to faint, which may be transient, recurrent, or occasionally chronic. In some cases, the individual may feel as though his or her head is weightless. It can be simply an indication of a temporary shortage of blood or oxygen to the brain, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, or anemia. It can also be a symptom of many other conditions, some of them serious, such as heart disease, stroke, or bleeding.

Additional recommended knowledge

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Daily Visual Balance Check

Treatment for lightheadedness can include drinking plenty of water or other fluids (unless the lightheadedness is the result of water intoxication in which case drinking water is quite dangerous), eating something sugary, and lying down or sitting and reducing the elevation of the head relative to the body (for example by positioning the head between the knees).