I am going through some menopausal stuff so who knows what all is going on but I often feel lightheaded--I would not say dizzy and I've never passed out but it is as if my brain is floating. I've had all kinds of tests...nothing to do with thyroid, sugar is good...everything seems fine. Maybe it is all in my head (pardon the pun); I've also thought it could be some kind of panic attack...as I have these episodes more outside (hardly ever at home).
Has anyone else had this type of feeling and figured out what it is a result of?
SM

Yes, I've felt that way before, though not often. I've tried to pay attention to when it happens, and believe it or not, it usually happens when I'm not breathing right. When I feel that way, I take a few deep, regular breaths, while relaxing all of my facial muscles, and it goes away.

How long does it last? It's very brief for me.

K

it can also be caused by low blood pressure.

good call, meredithbead, with or without poor circulation to the brain. Even high blood pressure and quick risings can make you feel weird. I've had occasions when I rise too quickly and actually see the little twinkles they try to depict on cartoons when a character sees stars.

other things?maybe - tooth infection, ear infection, sinus infection - these can cause lightheadness to severe vertigo.
I had severe dizziness with an ear infection that lasted close to a month. My mom has an incurable sinus disease that causes her to walk at a slant sometimes when it flares up. She's even fallen from lightheadness (but she's on meds, too). Meds can cause same symptoms, even OTC pain killers. The tooth infections I know about from reading... seems they are a very bad thing to have, too... uncared for, the infection can even go to your brain. Saundra should be able to tell us more about that.

Electrolyte imbalance - another thing I've learned of, not by me having the imbalance, but through a relative's problem.

Rag weed season causes my dad to suffer symptoms in the head - dizziness, sore throat, severely weeping eyes, puffy lower eyelids... Sept/early Oct is our time of year for it in South Texas.

That's all I can think of...
Hope you find the cause & hope you share with us what it is/was when/if you do... I like to mentally file this kind of info away ...

Pay attention to how you are breathing. many people develop symptoms though not breathing from way down .So when you feel you are experiencing symptoms ask yourself is it when you shallow breath/feel tense .
Yoga can help.Walking and breathing purposefully lets our bodies cleanse..
Watch how a sleeping baby breathes..they have it right.
Mountain ash

Good advice, MA. I'm one that (when I'm conscience of it)can do a lot of shallow breathing. It affects our bodies so much yet many of us are unaware.

When I had dizzy spells and had to hold onto something to keep me standing, I was dehydrated. Have they tested for that? It's simple to fix. Just drink up. Please keep us posted.

That's very interesitng Dotsie. Got to tell my mother to drink more.She is forever getting dizzy spells.

I tip with Meredith. Sounds like low blood pressure, Ship mate.
If you get that feeling, sit down and hang your head down between your knees. That should help somewhat. Caution, when doing this in public, half a dozen people may join you in looking for whatever you may have lost. hee hee

Thanks all. I think it may be all of the above...not breathing right (stress makes you hold your breath) and not drinking enough water. Blood pressure is either high or low....just got to start living healthier and smell the roses long the way.
SM