What Can Cause Dizziness and Sweating?
Medically reviewed by Sue St Pierre, DO — Written by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D.
Hypoglycemia
Hyperthyroidism
Heat exhaustion
Heart attack
Motion sickness
Hot flashes
Panic attack
BPPV
Fainting
Dumping syndrome
When to seek care
Takeaway
Key takeaways
Dizziness and sweating can happen together due to conditions like hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, heat exhaustion, heart attack, motion sickness, hot flashes, panic attacks, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), fainting, and dumping syndrome.
Contact a healthcare professional if symptoms are mild but unexplained, happen frequently, or interfere with daily activities. They can order tests to help determine the underlying cause.
Seek emergency care if dizziness and sweating occur with chest pain, trouble breathing, severe sudden headache, fainting, or numbness in your face or limbs.
Dizziness is when you feel lightheaded, unsteady, or faint. In some cases, it may be accompanied by sweating.
You can experience dizziness and sweating at the same time due to hypoglycemia, heat exhaustion, and a heart attack, among other health conditions.
Keep reading to learn about the potential causes of dizziness and sweating, as well as when to seek medical attention.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar. This condition is a potential side effectTrusted Source of insulin in people with diabetes. It can also happen due to skipping meals, not eating enough, or being ill.
The symptoms of hypoglycemia typically come on suddenly and can vary from one person to the next. In addition to dizziness and sweating, other symptoms you may experience include:
headache
shakiness
feeling weak or fatigued
paleness
irritability or nervousness
blurry vision
loss of coordination
confusion
You can often raise your blood sugar by consuming foods or drinks that contain carbs when you begin to feel symptoms. Examples include:
fruit
fruit juice
crackers
hard candy
sodas
»Learn more:A Meal Plan to Help You Manage Hypoglycemia
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is important for metabolism, digestion, and the heart.
An increase in sweating is a symptom of hyperthyroidism. Dizziness may also occur due to a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Some other symptoms of hyperthyroidism may include:
feeling fatigued
feeling hot or being heat intolerant
irritability or nervousness
trouble sleeping
increased appetite
increased frequency of bowel movements
unexplained weight loss
Some of the treatment options for hyperthyroidism includeTrusted Source medications and radioactive iodine treatment. In some cases, a healthcare professional may recommend a surgical procedure in which all or part of the thyroid is removed.
»Learn more:What Are the Early Signs of Hyperthyroidism?
Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion happens when the body overheats. This can be due to prolonged exposure to heat or overexertion in hot weather.
Heavy sweating and dizziness are both signs of heat exhaustion. Other symptoms to look out for include:
skin that feels cold or clammy
paleness
feeling weak or fatigued
muscle cramping
headache
quick, weak pulse
nausea or vomiting
fainting
You can help ease heat exhaustion by taking measures such as:
moving to a cooler place
removing excess clothing
applying cool compresses
sipping water or a rehydration drink to rehydrate
»Learn more:Understanding Heat Exhaustion: Symptoms, Tips for Self-Care, and More
Heart attack
A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked. This is a medical emergency. If you experience or someone else experiences symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 or the local emergency number.
Most peopleTrusted Source experience chest pain or discomfort with a heart attack. However, cold sweats and dizziness can also occur.
Other signs of a heart attack include:
pain or discomfort in other areas, such as the jaw, neck, back, and arms
shortness of breath
nausea or vomiting
It’s important to know that symptoms can vary between males and females. While chest pain is the main symptom for both, females are more likely to have other symptoms prior to a heart attack, such as:
sleep disturbances
anxiety
unusual or sudden fatigue
Heart attacks are treatableTrusted Source with medications, and sometimes with surgery, such as stent placement or bypass.
»Learn more:Symptoms You Might Experience a Month Before a Heart Attack
Motion sickness
Motion sickness happens when the brain gets conflicting information about the body’s motion and position. It can often occur during travel via car, boat, or plane.
Symptoms can include dizziness and cold sweats, as well as nausea and vomiting.
Both over-the-counter and prescription medications can help treat motion sickness. You can also take steps to try to prevent motion sicknessTrusted Source by:
sitting toward the front and facing forward on trains, buses, or boats
sitting in the front of a car, not in the back seat
not reading in a moving vehicle
»Learn more:What To Do About Dizziness After An Elevator Ride?
Hot flashes
Hot flashes are sudden, short-lived increases in body temperature. They’re a commonTrusted Source symptom of menopause. Hot flashes happen due to decreases in the hormone estrogen.
The increase in body temperature can lead to flushing and sweating. Additionally, heart rate can increase during a hot flash, which may lead to feelings of dizziness.
Hormone therapy may help some people who experience hot flashes. Home remedies such as keeping cold water or an ice pack on hand and wearing easily removable layers may also help.
»Learn more:What Does a Hot Flash Feel Like?
Panic attack
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. People with panic disorder have panic attacks, during which they experience intense feelings of fear or anxiety.
Panic attacks typically come on suddenly and can last for several minutes or moreTrusted Source.
Dizziness and sweating are both physical symptoms of a panic attack. Other symptoms include:
shaking or trembling
rapid heartbeat
feeling weak
chills
chest tightness or pain
shortness of breath
abdominal pain
nausea
Panic disorder is usually treated by a mental health professional. Treatment typically involves medications or psychotherapy, or both.
»Learn more:Ways to Stop a Panic Attack
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is a condition that affects the inner ear. People with BPPV experience severe feelings of vertigo when they change the position of their head, such as bending over or turning quickly.
Episodes of BPPV typically last under a minute.
There are crystals in the inner ear that monitor the positioning of the head. BPPV happens when these crystals become dislodged. This can cause an intense dizzy spell that seems to come out of nowhere.
Some people with BPPV may also sweat while enduring feelings of dizziness or vertigo. Other symptoms may include:
nausea and vomiting
loss of balance
paleness
Treatment for BPPV involves the Epley maneuver, which can help reposition the dislodged crystals in the ear. In some cases, surgery may be an option.
Fainting
Fainting, or syncope, is when there is a temporary loss of consciousness. You can faint if your brain isn’t receiving enough blood, usually only for a few minutesTrusted Source at most. This most often happens due to a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Prior to fainting, a person may experience feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness. In some cases, sweating may also occur. Other symptoms to be aware of include:
rapid or irregular heartbeat
nausea
changes to vision or hearing
Fainting can be from both benign and more serious causes, so it’s important to seek a diagnosis. Treatment involves addressing the specific cause of your fainting.
It’s important to seek medical help if fainting occurs regularly or if there is a potential injury received when fainting.
Dumping syndrome
Dumping syndrome is a condition in which the contents of the stomach empty too rapidly. It can happen after surgery involving the esophagus or stomach.
Diabetes is also a possible cause.
Sweating and feeling dizzy or lightheaded can be symptoms of dumping syndrome. Other symptoms may include:
bloating
frequent stomach growling
abdominal pain
nausea
diarrhea
flushing of the face, neck, or chest
headache
fatigue
Dumping syndrome is treatable with medications, and sometimes with surgery. A healthcare professional may also recommend changes dietary changes, such as eating:
smaller meals more frequently
fewer carbs
more fiber, protein, and fat
When to seek medical help
If you experience dizziness and sweating that’s unexplained, happens frequently, or begins to interfere with your daily activities, contact a healthcare professional. They can help determine what may be causing your symptoms.
Seek emergency medical care for dizziness and sweating that occurs with the following symptoms:
chest pain
trouble breathing
quick or irregular heartbeat
headache that comes on suddenly and is severe
prolonged vomiting
weakness or numbness, particularly in the face and limbs
changes in vision or hearing
loss of coordination
fainting
confusion
Diagnosing the cause of dizziness and sweating
Sometimes, a healthcare professional may be able to diagnose your condition based on your symptoms, medical history, and a physical examination.
However, they may also perform additional tests. This may include:
blood tests
electrocardiogram (EKG)
X-rays
MRI
CT scans
hearing and balance tests
The bottom line
Examples of conditions that can cause dizziness and sweating together include hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, heat exhaustion, motion sickness, dumping syndrome, and heart attack.
Make an appointment with a healthcare professional if symptoms recur, affect day-to-day activities, or can’t be explained by an existing condition.
Always seek emergency care for dizziness and sweating that occur with other symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing, or severe headache.