Why am I so dizzy?

[AllStarBySmashMouth]

Hoping someone might have better advice than Dr Google.

For the past few weeks, I seem to be having frequent dizzy spells. Before they were occasional, but these past couple of days it feels as though every time I stand up or walk it's like the whole world is spinning. It makes me feel sick too. I've been coming down with the cold so thought it might be to do with that, but does anyone have any other ideas as to what might cause such constant dizziness?

Hopeful bump

Could it be vertigo? I think that's caused by a virus.

I had labyrinthitis earlier in the year. Do those symptoms match up? It lasted about 3 weeks in total, 1½ weeks of those I was off work. The travel sickness tablets the doctor prescribed did nothing for me, I just had to wait for it to pass.

It could be Benign Paroxysmal Postural Vertigo - BPPV - which in my experience is not benign at all.... it's caused by the balance crystals in your ears moving out of place so you feel giddy pretty much all the time.
Visit your GP asap, there are anti-nausea tablets you can take plus there are a variety of manoeuvres that can be done to shift the crystals back into place. The GP can perform the Epley manoeuvre, and there are the exercises you can do at home - Semont & Brandt-Daroff exercises.
It's a miserable thing to have and unfortunately once you've had it, you're more likely to get it again. My most recent episode was caused by me turning over in bed too quickly!

I've known a few people who had labyrinthitis and they were all very ill. I'm still going to work I just feel horrible every time I stand up. But it's not as severe as what they described. Although my right ear is sore.

I'll look up the vertigo thing.

I had labyrinthitis . I had one day where I felt really hungover , throbbing head , dizzy every time I moved , and being sick . The next couple of weeks all I had was a fullness feeling in my ears and tinnitus. The tinnitus has never gone - this was three years ago . I have less hearing in my one ear too . I never went to the docs until it was too late - get to docs ASAP . It’s nothing untoward but the damage could be long lasting .

Another thing is that I get very severe motion sickness. Always have done. I don't think that's helping because I generally feel sick when I'm moving so the slightest dizzy spell will cause total nausea.

This probably sounds dumb but I also feel sick when I've got a lot of layers on - but considering it was below freezing this morning I have no option. But once I've been walking about for a while I start feeling sick.

Sorry, I know nobody is a GP, it's just impossible to google that many symptoms.

How old are you? Could it be linked to the menopause?

Could be related to your ears,, especially as you say you've had a cold. Hold your nose and blow and see if one of your ears is maybe blocked. Ear problems can cause dizziness/nausea

I had labyrinthitis and it lasted months and I was off months too. I did a LOT of foogoing and learned there is a range of illnesses that cause dizziness - most of them have been mentioned in the thread and could be any of these. I found the menieres society website most helpful as it covers most of these. I do get bouts of dizziness now and again. Sturgeon travel sickness tablets were on of the things prescribed for my dizziness but maybe worth a shot if you are desperate and you can't get to the doctors as you can get them over the counter but you should go to GP I feel for you- even mild dizziness Is awful.

Googling - wonder what foogoing is!!!

See a doctor and ask them?

It is likely to be your ear. You might have an infection. Make a GP appointment.

Combination of ear pain + vertigo + cold/flu symptoms is worth checking out.

@thebeatofthedrum I'm 24! Although I was having hot flashes last week so my colleagues were wondering if I was getting early menopause lol

Yes, labyrynthitis describes symptoms of a whole raft of different exciting conditions. Mine arose from a) inner ear infection in my 30s, causing 3 or 4 weeks dizziness, and then b) at nearly 50, a sudden total failure of my brain's ability to compensate for the nerve damage caused by a). I had no idea there was nerve damage, because my 30 something brain rewired without fuss. My nearly 50 year old brain was not so biddable, plus it took months to get to a specialist (ENT) and then physio, so I was off work for months, unable to drive (mustn't drive with those symptoms, you will invalidate your insurance) and eventually got sacked for sickness.

Physio exercises got my brain retrained, and although it has come back since, now I know what it is, I can get exercising and sort it much faster.

Get to your GP asap. Sore ear sounds like a possible infection.

POTs?? (Postural Orthadontic tachycardia)

Thanks all for your thoughts. I'll look up some of the suggestions.

I'm sure I have a pack of Sturgenon in my cupboard so I might dig them out.

Yes, I know seeing a doctor is the logical thing but it's not easy when my doctor is 40 miles away from my workplace. That's why I'm asking if anyone else has experience and advice. It it doesn't sort itself I'll book a GP appointment.

Are you driving to work?

No no! I don't drive.

I had similar symptoms. Ended up being diagnosed with Menieres Disease. I have attacks at least twice a year. Treated with medication (betahistine and cinnarizine) and steroid injections into my inner ear. Make sure your doctors do all the right tests. It wasn't until I changed health authority that I was properly diagnosed and treated.

Will definitely look up Ménières.

Currently DP is suggesting dehydration, which is a fair shout since I'm not the best at keeping hydrated

BPPV was a good suggestion up thread.
If you have a lot of noises in your ears (ringing, buzzing, blooping, humming) then menieres. I have menieres. There's limited treatment options though, so how for something else!
The dizziness will make you feel sick, and then that gets tiring. You need to take time off and not push through or you'll make matters worse. Get to doctor

Thanks for the suggestions. You're all fab

I will get to the docs. I've been covering for someone at work whilst they're on holiday so I had no way of getting time off, but they are back later this week so should be able to see a doctor.

At least now I have a better idea of what might be causing it. Thanks!

Part of the treatment for POTs is extra fluids & salt. I have it & I'm pretty sure mine started after I stupidly did mad dogs & English men in the midst sun in Indonesia & ended up collapsing with dehydration & sunstroke, so low fluid would make this worse.

If you can manage approx 2.5-3 litres a day, so 3 mugs of tea or coffee, couple of bottles of water & a couple of cups or glasses of something else & extra salty snacks, it could well help a lot.