Feeling light-headed when you stand up is common. The NHS says dizziness usually goes away on its own, and often goes once something else is treated, such as an ear infection, migraine or dehydration. When you feel dizzy, lie down until it passes, then get up slowly, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid coffee, cigarettes and alcohol. Don’t do anything dangerous such as driving, climbing a ladder or using heavy machinery. See a GP if you have difficulty hearing or speaking, double or blurred vision, or numbness or weakness in your face, arms or legs. This sets out the NHS page “Dizziness”.
1. Lie down until the dizziness passes, then get up slowly.
2. Plenty of fluids; avoid coffee, cigarettes and alcohol. Don’t bend or stand up suddenly; no driving or ladders.
3. Trouble hearing or speaking, vision changes, or numbness or weakness: see a GP.
What kind of dizziness — NHS
The NHS gives a table of symptoms and possible causes. It is a “could be” table, not a diagnosis.
| Dizziness when | Possible cause (NHS) | Worth noting (our gloss) |
|---|---|---|
| You stand or sit up suddenly | Postural hypotension | Pairs with “don’t get up suddenly” |
| Off-balance with hearing loss or ringing in the ears | An inner ear problem | — |
| Spinning, feeling or being sick, after a cold or flu | Labyrinthitis | — |
| After starting a new prescribed medicine | A side effect | It doesn’t say to stop the medicine |
Ear pain is covered in earache.
Do and don’t — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (our gloss) |
|---|---|---|
| Do | Lie down until the dizziness passes, then get up slowly | Read as a way to avoid falling |
| Do | Move slowly and carefully | — |
| Do | Get plenty of rest | — |
| Do | Drink plenty of fluids, especially water | Dehydration is also named as a cause |
| Do | Avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs | — |
| Don’t | Bend down suddenly | — |
| Don’t | Get up suddenly after sitting or lying down | — |
| Don’t | Do anything dangerous like driving, climbing a ladder or using heavy machinery | — |
Daily fluid amounts are in daily water intake, and fall prevention in fall prevention for older adults.
When to see a GP — NHS
The NHS says to see a GP, as a non-urgent appointment, if:
- you’re worried about dizziness or vertigo
- you have difficulty hearing or speaking
- you have ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
- you have double or blurred vision or other changes to your eyesight
- you have numbness or weakness in your face, arms or legs
- you have other symptoms, such as pulse changes, fainting, collapsing, headaches or being sick
The page we read has no separate 999 or 111 section. Sudden weakness in the face or arms overlaps with stroke warning signs, so we suggest also reading stroke warning signs, which sets out the NHS stroke advice (our link). Headaches are covered in headaches.
Checklist
- ☐ Lie down until it passes, then get up slowly
- ☐ Plenty of fluids; avoid coffee, cigarettes and alcohol
- ☐ Don’t bend or stand up suddenly
- ☐ No driving, ladders or machinery while dizzy
- ☐ Hearing, speech or vision changes, numbness or weakness: GP
Questions that remain
A new medicine makes me dizzy. Should I stop it?
The NHS table only says dizziness after a new prescription could be a side effect. It doesn’t say to stop, so asking the prescriber or a pharmacist fits the table (our reading).
How long does it last?
The NHS gives no number; it says dizziness usually goes away on its own.
Sources
- NHS — Dizziness — source (page shows: reviewed 21 April 2023, next review 21 April 2026; checked 13 October 2026 — the review date has passed and we quote the page as shown). 4-row cause table, 5 dos and 3 don’ts, 6 GP reasons.
- Not read. Korean agency guidance on dizziness; the separate NHS pages on labyrinthitis and postural hypotension.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the link to the stroke post.
Where else to check
- Your GP — if you’re worried or have any of the symptoms above.
- A pharmacist — if it started after a new medicine.
Written on 13 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.