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 refers to low blood sugar. This condition is a potential side effect 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:

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

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:

Some of the treatment options for hyperthyroidism include 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.

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:

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

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 people 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 treatable with medications, and sometimes with surgery, such as stent placement or bypass.

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 sickness 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

Hot flashes are sudden, short-lived increases in body temperature. They’re a common 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.

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 more.

Dizziness and sweating are both physical symptoms of a panic attack. Other symptoms include:

Panic disorder is usually treated by a mental health professional. Treatment typically involves medications or psychotherapy, or both.

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:

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, 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 minutes 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 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:

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

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:

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.