Key takeaways:
COVID-19 illness can cause dizziness. Up to 1 in 5 people experience COVID-related dizziness when they’re sick.
COVID can also cause vertigo and trigger postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
COVID-related dizziness can take weeks to months to go away. You can help manage dizzy spells by staying hydrated, slowing down movements, and maintaining a healthy blood sugar level.
If you’ve ever experienced dizzy spells, you know they affect everything you do. From experiencing room spinning to feeling like you may faint, dizziness can be scary.
Many people with COVID experience dizzy episodes. But why? Here’s what researchers know about how COVID triggers dizziness, how common it is, and what you can do about it.
Can COVID cause dizziness?
Yes, COVID illness can cause dizziness and trigger dizzy spells. Studies show that many people experience both dizziness and vertigo when they’re sick with COVID.
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But you can also experience dizziness and vertigo after you recover from a COVID illness. Studies also show that people who’ve recently been sick with COVID are more likely to develop conditions that cause vertigo, including vestibular neuritis and benign positional paroxysmal vertigo. These conditions can last for weeks to months. And dizziness and vertigo are also common symptoms of long COVID. In studies, up to 1 in 4 people with long COVID experienced dizziness and vertigo.
What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
Many people use the terms “dizziness” and “vertigo” interchangeably. But they’re not exactly the same.
Dizziness is a general term used to describe sensation like:
Spinning
Lightheadedness
Unsteadiness
Wooziness
Feeling faint
Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness. People with vertigo experience changes in their perception of movement. You may feel like objects are spinning around you or like you’re spinning, even when you're still. This causes dizziness and other symptoms including:
Trouble keeping their balance
Trouble walking or moving
Nausea
Vomiting
Why does COVID cause dizziness?
There are several reasons why COVID may trigger dizziness and vertigo.
COVID can cause other unusual symptoms too. Here’s how COVID can cause hair loss.
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A COVID illness can cause fever and dehydration
People with more severe COVID illness may experience a fever. People with fevers can sometimes experience dizzy spells and are more likely to get dehydrated.
Dehydration can also lead to dizziness and lightheadedness. While sick with COVID, you can become dehydrated, even if you don’t have a fever. So, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids if you’re sick with COVID. This can help you to avoid dehydration.
A COVID illness can worsen other medical conditions
Dizzy spells are common symptoms of medical conditions, including:
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These medical conditions can get worse anytime you get sick. So, people with these conditions may experience more dizzy spells while they’re sick with COVID. You may also be more likely to develop dizzy spells if you’re sick with COVID and you take medications that can lower your blood pressure or blood sugar.
The COVID virus can infect the vestibular and nervous systems
It’s been clear from the start of the pandemic that the COVID virus can attack the nervous system and cause inflammation. The COVID virus can also directly attack the vestibular system (inner ear). This can lead to dizziness and vertigo during a COVID illness. Inflammation and damage to the vestibular system may take a few days to reach their peak. And it can take several weeks for this inflammation to go away. This may be why people develop vertigo conditions while they’re recovering from a COVID illness.
The COVID virus infects the upper respiratory tract
The COVID virus infects the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and throat. The middle ear connects to the back of the throat and can become inflamed during a COVID illness. Some people have developed damage to their middle ear after a COVID illness. This can sometimes cause dizziness.
Long COVID can cause dizziness and vertigo
Some people develop long COVID after they’ve recovered from a COVID illness. Research shows that people who develop long COVID can develop dizziness and vertigo as part of their long COVID illness. There’s also evidence that people with long COVID are more likely to develop conditions like vestibular migraines, benign positional paroxysmal vertigo, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) — all of which cause dizziness and vertigo.
Is dizziness a common symptom of COVID?
It’s not clear how many people experience dizzy spells from COVID illness. The CDC doesn’t mention dizziness and vertigo in its list of most common COVID symptoms.
But researchers are quick to point out that people may not be reporting their dizzy spells. This can be because they’re too ill with other symptoms, so dizziness isn’t top of mind.
Some studies estimate that up to 1 in 5 people might experience dizziness as part of their COVID illness. Of course, this can mean different things. Some people feel mildly lightheaded. Others might have vertigo that makes it hard to continue regular activities.
When does dizziness from COVID usually happen?
Dizziness can develop at any time during or after a COVID illness. It can be an early sign of COVID-19 infection. In some cases, a person with COVID may notice dizziness before experiencing respiratory symptoms, like cough or congestion. Early dizziness may be from the COVID virus directly attacking the nervous or vestibular system.
This type of dizziness will usually get better within 10 to 14 days. But it may take longer to go away in people who are very sick or who have underlying medical conditions that can cause dizziness.
Some people continue to have dizziness even after other COVID symptoms have improved. This can be a sign of long COVID, a condition in which symptoms persist for months after an initial COVID illness.
How long does dizziness from COVID last?
It’s not clear how long dizziness and vertigo from COVID illness can last. Some people report feeling better within a few days. For others, symptoms can take weeks or months to go away.
Knowing the cause of your dizziness can help you figure out how long it might last. If dehydration during your illness is the cause, getting back to your usual diet will stop your COVID dizzy spells. If fevers are the cause, the dizzy spell should stop once you’re fever-free.
But, if your COVID-related dizziness is also related to another medical condition, it’ll take longer for you to feel better. Once your other medical conditions are stable, your dizziness should start to get better.
If COVID illness triggers long COVID or a medical condition, like POTS or vestibular neuritis, you may experience dizziness and vertigo for months or longer.
How do you treat dizzy spells from COVID?
If you’re having dizzy spells during your COVID illness, here are eight ways to manage your dizziness.
1. Lie down
If you’re feeling dizzy, the best thing you can do is lie down. This helps blood get to all parts of your body and will make you feel less lightheaded. If you’re experiencing vertigo, lying down will calm your inner ear. You should also close your eyes.
If you can’t lie down, sit down and, if possible, rest your head on a table or desk. If you can’t sit down, hold onto something sturdy until your dizziness lets up. If you feel dizzy, don’t go down the stairs, drive, swim, or operate machinery. This puts you (and others) at risk for serious injury.
2. Hydrate
Dizziness is a common sign of dehydration. You can get dehydrated quickly with COVID illness, especially if you’re older. Make sure to drink enough liquids to stay hydrated. Opt for fluids that contain electrolytes, like sports drinks, if you’re having a hard time keeping up with your fluid intake.
3. Eat
Low blood sugar can lead to dizziness. But many people don’t feel like eating when they’re sick. Vertigo and dizziness can also cause nausea, which only worsens the problem.
If you feel dizzy, try a light snack, like crackers. If you really can’t stomach solid foods, try drinking orange juice, which is a good source of sugar. You can also talk with your healthcare team about starting anti-nausea medication to help you feel up to eating.
4. Limit caffeine and alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol cause your blood vessels to dilate, which can worsen lightheadedness and dizziness. While you’re feeling sick, limit (or cut out) caffeine and alcohol. Alcohol can also make you dehydrated, which can make dizziness worse.
5. Take a fever reducer
Fever is a common symptom of COVID illness. And having a fever can make you feel dizzy. A fever also increases your risk of dehydration, which can worsen dizziness. To help relieve both fever and dizziness, you can try a fever-reducing medication, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Tylenol or Advil).
6. Move slowly
Sudden changes in position can trigger vertigo attacks. Give yourself 5 minutes between position changes. If you’re lying down, sit up first and wait 5 minutes before standing. If you’re sitting, stand up and wait 5 minutes before walking.
Also, try to avoid fast head movements. Turn your head slowly to look at things to give your body time to adjust to the movement.
7. Wear compression socks
Compression socks promote circulation and prevent blood from pooling in your legs. This helps boost your blood pressure, so you don’t feel as dizzy. You can try wearing regular compression socks or stockings, which are available at many stores and pharmacies. If you have certain medical conditions, your healthcare team may recommend prescription compression socks.
8. Adjust your medication
Even if you don’t feel well, it’s important to take your regular medication. COVID infection can worsen your underlying medical conditions, leading to dizziness. Stopping medications can also worsen dizziness.
If you really feel like you can’t take your medication, or you think your medication is making your dizziness worse, talk with your healthcare team. They may be able to switch you to medications that are easier to take or have fewer side effects.
When should you seek medical care for COVID dizzy spells?
Seek medical care right away if you’re having severe dizziness that keeps you from moving around safely.
It’s also a good idea to seek care if you have dizziness and other medical conditions, especially diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure. You may need to adjust your medication and get a checkup to make sure the dizziness isn’t a complication of your underlying medical condition.
It’s rare, but dizziness can be a sign of a serious medical condition, like stroke. Get immediate medical attention if you have dizziness or vertigo along with any of the following:
Severe headache
Neck pain or stiffness
Seizure
Chest pain or irregular heartbeats
Loss of consciousness
Trouble speaking, seeing, or moving your body
Even if your dizzy spells seem mild, if they haven’t resolved completely within 4 weeks of your COVID infection, reach out to your healthcare team. This could be a sign of long COVID.
Frequently asked questions
COVID-19 symptoms tend to get better over time. If you develop vertigo and dizziness during or after a COVID illness, you may experience dizzy spells that come and go. In general, dizzy spells should get shorter and less frequent as you recover.
Yes, it’s possible to faint when you’re sick with a virus. Viral illnesses can lead to dehydration, which can lower your blood pressure and put you at risk for fainting. Fainting spells can be a sign of a severe viral illness. They can also be a sign of another medical emergency, like a stroke. Always seek immediate medical care if you faint when you’re sick.
Dehydration can cause both dizziness and vertigo. Fluid inside the inner ear helps you keep your balance and perceive movement. You have less fluid inside your body — including inside your inner ear — when you’re dehydrated. Changes in these fluid levels can trigger vertigo.
COVID-19 symptoms tend to get better over time. If you develop vertigo and dizziness during or after a COVID illness, you may experience dizzy spells that come and go. In general, dizzy spells should get shorter and less frequent as you recover.
Yes, it’s possible to faint when you’re sick with a virus. Viral illnesses can lead to dehydration, which can lower your blood pressure and put you at risk for fainting. Fainting spells can be a sign of a severe viral illness. They can also be a sign of another medical emergency, like a stroke. Always seek immediate medical care if you faint when you’re sick.
Dehydration can cause both dizziness and vertigo. Fluid inside the inner ear helps you keep your balance and perceive movement. You have less fluid inside your body — including inside your inner ear — when you’re dehydrated. Changes in these fluid levels can trigger vertigo.
The bottom line
COVID-19 can lead to both dizziness and vertigo. Up to 1 in 5 people experience COVID dizzy spells, which usually last anywhere from a few days to weeks. Sometimes, dizziness can happen as part of a more serious complication, like postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which could take months or more to resolve.
Talk with your healthcare team if you have an underlying medical condition and you’re sick with COVID. Your dizziness may be a sign that your underlying condition is getting worse. To help lessen COVID dizziness while you’re recovering, make sure to stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and take your regular medications.
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References
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