Can Dehydration Cause Dizziness? Doctors Reveal How to Discern Whether You Feel Woozy Due to Lack of Fluids

Nobody enjoys feeling dizzy, but it becomes increasingly common as we age. The worst part about the experience is not knowing the exact cause. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with vertigo, sleep apnea or another underlying health condition that would explain dizziness. If not, there are many reasons you may be feeling woozy, but you might want to check in on your water intake. Can dehydration cause dizziness? We asked doctors to weigh in on dehydration symptoms, signs and what you need to know.  

Can dehydration cause dizziness? 

You may experience feeling dizzy after a day spent in hot weather – you may feel thirsty to the point of nauseum, or heat exhaustion could set in. This is all to say that dizziness can absolutely be a symptom of dehydration, doctors say.  

“When your body lacks adequate fluids, it affects blood volume and blood pressure, leading to reduced blood flow to the brain, which can result in dizziness,” explains Nilda Agnes Abellera, MD, Founder and Medical Director of Infuze MD.  

Dehydration may also contribute to inflammation in the perilymphatic sac in the inner ear, causing it to swell, adds Virginia Reed, PT, DPT, Regional Director of FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers. This often leads to ringing in the ears, and a room-spinning sensation in people with Meniere's disease, she says.  

How to tell if dehydration is the reason you feel dizzy 

“To check for dehydration, consider whether you have had water that day,” says Dr. Reed of making sure to stay hydrated. “It is recommended to drink half your body weight [in ounces] in water each day. If it is 3 p.m. and you have not had any water yet that day, you are dehydrated.”  

Another tracking tool, she says, is to try the skin turgor test, where you check your skin’s elasticity by pinching the skin on the back of your hand or forearm and seeing if it stays pinched or how long it takes to go back to normal. If you’re dehydrated, the skin will not bounce right back to the starting position, an indication that you need to drink enough fluids to stay hydrated. 

Other signs of dehydration to check for in addition to dizziness include low blood pressure, a drop in BP when standing up, after lying down and white fingertips, Dr. Reed adds.  

You can also consider your environment and activities, Dr. Abellara says. Have you been in a hot environment or taking part in strenuous physical activity? Other symptoms, she points out, may include dry mouth, dark urine, headache or fatigue. 

You may face increased risk of dehydration if you’re in a higher climate, physically active, take medication or live with a disease that causes you to lose more water such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease. You also lose a lot of water when you throw up, have diarrhea or a fever. In these cases, you’ll need to up your water intake even more.  

Remedies for dizziness due to dehydration  

It's no surprise that the easiest way to avoid becoming dehydrated is to keep up your fluid intake throughout the day. The National Academies of Medicine suggest that most women consume around 6-9 cups (1.5-2.2 liters) of fluids daily.  

If you suspect dehydration, in most mild cases, you should be able to replenish your body with fluids and electrolytes. Try sipping water slowly and steadily, suggests Dr. Abellera.  

Ideally, you should get your fluids from water or other low-calorie beverages, such as plain coffee or tea, or sparkling or flavored waters, according to the National Institutes of Health. Nutritional beverages such as milk or milk alternatives, or 100 percent vegetable juice, are also good options. It’s not advisable to rely on soda, sports drinks or other sugary beverages for most of your fluids, as they have little nutritional value. 

“Hydration is an important remedy for many causes of dizziness,” says Jennie Stanford, MD, obesity medicine physician and medical contributor for Drugwatch. “Ensuring proper electrolyte balance with sodium, potassium and magnesium is crucial.”  

If these steps fail to treat your dizziness, or if it progressively worsens to the point where you experience loss of consciousness or decline in alertness, inability to urinate or rapid heartbeat and breathing, dehydration has become a medical emergency. You’ll want to seek prompt medical attention to avoid complications and address any deeper health problems.  

Keep reading for more health and wellness tips!

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.