Dizziness

Dizziness describes a range of sensations.

It can include feeling light-headed or faint, off-balance, giddy or unsteady, or a false sense of motion/the feeling that you are spinning around (vertigo).

There are many possible causes for dizziness, like ear or eye problems, medications as well as even blockages to vessels in the head or stroke. 

Low blood pressure (hypotension) is a common symptom which can also cause feelings of dizziness. This is related to the amount of water removed from your blood during dialysis treatment.  

It is important to inform your care team when you experience feelings of dizziness so that your treating physician can evaluate the cause of dizziness in your specific case and adjust or adapt your treatment. 

What to do if you experience dizziness?

Dizziness will usually go away on its own, but there are things you can take care of: 

DOs

  • Take some rest, sit down, and get up slowly once dizziness passed 

  • Move slowly and carefully 

  • Stick to your daily recommended amount of fluids  

  • Avoid coffee, cigarettes or alcohol 

DON'Ts

  • Don‘t bend down suddenly 

  • Don‘t get up suddenly after sitting/lying  

  • Don‘t ignore feelings of dizziness 

  • Don‘t do anything that could be dangerous while feeling dizzy (driving, climbing a ladder, using machinery, etc.) 

If dizziness and other symptoms persist, consult your dialysis care team. 

Tell your care team, if…  

  • You are worried about feelings of spinning or dizziness 

  • You feel it’s harder to hear 

  • You hear ringing or other sounds in your ears 

  • You experience changes in your vision (e.g. double/ blurred vision) 

  • You feel numbness in your face, arms or legs 

  • You have other symptoms like fainting, headaches or feeling sick 

If dizziness and other symptoms persist, consult your dialysis care team. 

Fall, slip & trip prevention

Take care of yourself to reduce the risk of falls 

Worldwide, more than 37 million falls require medical attention in each year. People over the age of 65 experience most severe falls.1 Falls are often caused by a combination of risk factors such as weak muscles, poor balance, dizziness or lightheadedness, vision and hearing problems, to only name a few. 

Fall prevention is about identifying the risk and, if possible, taking steps to reduce it.  

Be sure to follow the safety instructions in the clinics. You can also rearrange your home to minimize many of the risks that can lead to falls. You should always talk to your care team to find the best possible solution for your individual needs.  

How can you prevent falls at home?

Modify your home

Adjusting your home environment helps you to prevent possible falls and to have a secured everyday life. With a few adaptations you can make your home safer. 

  • Eliminate uneven carpets, slippery tiles and objects on the floor 

  • Keep everyday objects within easy reach  

  • Install grab rails or safety rails in your bathroom or toilet 

  • Be careful when getting up - stand up slowly or wait for help  

  • Wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict your movement 

  • Make sure your footwear fits well, is closed and non-slip 

Poor vision is not only a risk factor for stumbling, but also limits the ability to perform everyday tasks.

Therefore, have your eyes checked at least once a year. Look out for small changes in your vision, such as cloudy vision or watery eyes - report any changes to your care team immediately. Adapt to your visual difficulties at home by turning on extra lights and making the edges of steps clearly visible. 

Do not hesitate to ask for support and always be attentive to your health.

1World Health Organization (2021): Falls, available via: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/falls. 

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