Dizziness

Is this your child's symptom?

• Sensation of light-headedness or feeling faint

If NOT, try one of these:

• Head Injury
• Motion Sickness

Causes of Dizziness

• Main Cause. Usually due to reduced blood flow to the brain for a short time. It can be triggered by many normal events:
• Standing too long in one place. Reason: This causes pooling of blood in the legs.
• Standing up suddenly. Reason: This causes sudden drop in blood pressure.
• Dehydration. This can be from losing fluids and/or from not drinking enough fluid.
• Low Oxygen (such as when running and out of breath). Reason: Lower than normal oxygen levels can't meet body's needs for a short time.
• Too Much Sun or Hot Tub Use. Reason: Increased sweating causes fluid loss.
• Sweating from Sports or Hard Work. Reason: Sweating causes fluid loss.
• Fasting. Skipping a meal causes low blood sugar.
• Fever
• Motion Sickness. Main symptoms are dizziness and nausea.
• Viral Syndrome. Patients with viral illnesses (e.g., colds, flu) often say they are a bit dizzy. This is never the only symptom. It may relate to weakness from being sick.
• Vertigo (Serious). In addition to dizziness, the child complains that the room is spinning. They can't walk if they have vertigo. True vertigo is very rare in children. It's usually caused by middle ear disease.

Symptoms of Dizziness

• Feeling dizzy or light headed
• Feeling unsteady with slight loss of balance
• Feeling "woozy" or not thinking clearly
• May also have brief blurring of vision

Dizziness Scale

• Mild: walks normal
• Moderate: interferes with normal activities such as playing, school or sports
• Severe: can't stand, needs support to walk, feels like passing out now

When to Call for Dizziness

Care Advice

Dizziness from Sudden or Prolonged Standing

1. What You Should Know:
   • Standing up quickly is the most common cause of dizziness. This type of dizziness only lasts a short time. Getting out of bed is when it usually happens.
   • Prolonged standing in one place is another common cause.
   • Not drinking enough fluids or eating enough salt always makes it worse.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Standing - Pump Legs:
   • In the mornings, sit up for a few minutes before you stand up.
   • This will help your blood flow stay steady and adjust before you stand up.
   • With prolonged standing, contract and relax your leg muscles. Reason: This helps pump the blood back to the heart.
   • Sit down or lie down if you feel dizzy.
3. Salt - Increase Intake:
   • Most people with this type of dizziness (due to standing) don't get enough salt.
   • Try to eat some salty foods (potato chips or pretzels) every day.
4. Fluids - Drink More:
   • Drink several glasses of fruit juice, other clear fluids or water.
   • This will improve your child's fluid status and blood sugar.
   • If the weather is hot, make sure the fluids are cold.
5. Lie Down:
   • Lie down with feet up for 1 hour.
   • Reason: This will increase blood flow to the brain.
6. Prevention:
   • Extra water and salty foods during sports or hot weather
   • Regular mealtimes and snacks
   • Enough sleep and rest
7. What to Expect:
   • With treatment, the dizziness usually goes away in 1 to 2 hours.
8. Call Your Doctor If:
   • After 2 hours of rest and fluids, still feels dizzy
   • Your child passes out (faints)
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

Dizziness from Poor Fluid Intake

1. What You Should Know:
   • Not drinking enough fluids and being a little dehydrated probably caused the dizziness.
   • It should go away with drinking fluids and resting in a cool place.
   • This is always made worse during hot weather. Too much sun exposure can also increase the body's need for fluid.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Fluids - Drink More:
   • Drink several glasses of fruit juice, other clear fluids or water.
   • This will improve your child's fluid status and blood sugar.
   • If the weather is hot, make sure the fluids are cold.
3. Cool Off:
   • If the weather is hot, use a cold pack or washcloth to the forehead.
   • Taking a cool shower or bath will help even more.
4. Lie Down:
   • Lie down with feet up for 1 hour.
   • Reason: This will increase blood flow to the brain.
5. Prevention:
   • Extra water and salty foods during sports or hot weather
   • Regular mealtimes and snacks
   • Enough sleep and rest
6. What to Expect:
   • With treatment, the dizziness usually goes away in 1 to 2 hours.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • After 2 hours of rest and fluids, still feels dizzy
   • Your child passes out (faints)
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

Dizziness from Unknown Cause

1. What You Should Know:
   • Dizziness that goes away is a harmless symptom.
   • It's usually due to not drinking enough water during sports or hot weather.
   • It can also be caused by skipping a meal or too much sun.
   • Sometimes, it's part of a viral illness.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Lie Down:
   • Lie down with feet up for 1 hour.
   • Reason: This will increase blood flow to the brain.
3. Fluids - Drink More:
   • Drink several glasses of fruit juice, other clear fluids or water.
   • This will improve your child's fluid status and blood sugar.
   • If the weather is hot, make sure the fluids are cold.
4. Cool Off:
   • If the weather is hot, use a cold pack or washcloth to the forehead.
   • Taking a cool shower or bath will help even more.
5. Prevention:
   • Extra water and salty foods during sports or hot weather
   • Regular mealtimes and snacks
   • Enough sleep and rest
6. What to Expect:
   • With treatment, the dizziness usually goes away in 1 to 2 hours.
   • Mild dizziness with a viral illness may last 1 or 2 days.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • After 2 hours of rest and fluids, still feeling dizzy
   • Mild dizziness lasts over 3 days
   • Your child passes out (faints)
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

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Copyright 2000-2023. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.