Ask Dr. Yo: why do my chronic dizziness symptoms get worse when I'm sick- and will they get better?

Many people ask this question during the cold and flu season because they freak out when they get sick and symptoms tramp up. Good news: it's normal. Watch to understand why it happens and get some reassurance about what comes next.

00:00 Intro & reassurance
01:98 Your immune system turns on your "braking system"
03:20 Your nervous system is turning the volume dial up on normal dizziness sensations that occur for many people when they're sick
04:59 Upper respiratory illnesses can directly have a temporary effect on your vestibular system
08:00 All are temporary - rest and get well

DISCLAIMER: Please note that Yonit Arthur, The Steady Coach and any of our other guests are not acting as an audiologist nor offering audiology or medical services services or advice on any public videos or on any other content. This channel provides wellness education and personal opinion only, and are not meant to be a substitute for medical or mental health instruction or intervention. Use any tools discussed at your own risk.

[ReneeYarosz]

Always so positive and gives us hope Dr. Yo - love how you said “you will be back to your baseline “ just to hear that made me calm

[sophiaaisabel]

I’ve been dealing with dizziness for 2 months straight after a series of bad panic attacks. All tests have come back clear and I’m seeing a vestibular specialist this week to finally rule that out. It makes me so anxious and I feel like it’ll never stop. I’ve noticed recently once I stop driving I can feel it more like I’m still moving and then it eventually lessens. I have rocking, swaying, bobbing and just overall dizziness 24/7. I think it’s PPPD and I’m so tired of seeing people say you have it for life. I need encouragement so bad

[xNeroGamerPL]

Having a flu right now and my lightheadedness is compeletely out of the window. I'm not feeling well, but I know it will pass, the flu will pass and my lightheadedness will be back to my normal state (at least for now, because one day I will recover). Thank you for this video, Dr. Yo.

[McNstyFilth]

My son brought home the delightful coxsackievirus and my dizziness is back in full swing. I was completely free of it for a few months and it's just insane how bad it is again.

[janiceince]

For me it's the opposite. My symptoms are so low when I'm sick that sometimes I wish I would get sick just to feel normal.. 😂

[naazsytube]

For the women here, did anyones period get worse and the symptoms are so so intense when pmsing too

[steveslong-covidjourneyPPPD]

Thanks soooo much Yonit! I needed this bad today! I’ve got Covid again and that’s how it started last time! My symptoms ramped up!!! I didn’t want it to happen again! But your right I have the tools, thank you x

[SEA-BASS]

I was just wondering about this. Amazing

[mal-nxxs]

I don't know if it's just me, but my symptoms flared up right after I got better from the flu 😂

[Louise]

This video is so so amazing! Thank you very much, Dr. Yo!😊

[jesselsutherland]

I recently had a Vylepti infusion for the first time and was migraine and dizziness free for a week but then got influenza A. My dizziness went through the roof and I’ve now recovered from the flu but the dizziness is the same. I hope it settles down again soon. Any tips? 😢

[andiedealessio]

But if the symptoms are coming from stress response or are a brain glitch(software issue) Why would sickness have an affect if it is not a hardware problem. Or are you speaking to those with a hardware issue?

[EvA_productions]

For me it all started after Covid infection in the beginning of November.
I feel strange and scared in my head. How can I accept the sensations and lower the anxiety bucket. It is so hard. I feel scared and I am afraid this feeling will never go away for the rest of my life 😢

Sometimes the head is clear.
But only small parts of the day.

[elizabethshandy]

Can you explain why symptoms ramp up during that time of the month for women? I notice I am 85-90% great the other 25 days out of the month but right before my period it’s like the dizziness hits worse. I’m trying to stay positive on my recovery journey, but it feels like this will be my biggest hurdle to beating PPPD.

[michellea]

Hey Dr. Yo. Can you let me know of it's common within your groups for people with neural circuit dizziness to have issues with using their prescription glasses, particularly when doing any close up reading? Many of my symptoms have eased significantly but i have a hard time looking at things close up and tend to close an eye to ease the sensations. Curious if other people experience this. Thank you for all you do!

[AJ]

Hi Dr. Yonit I wanted to ask do anxieties completely unrelated to the dizziness make the pppd worse and does it affect the recovery process? Or only the anxiety and fear about the dizziness itself. For example if a cop pulls you over and you get nervous or if you are nervous about taking an exam etc.

[kaylaberry]

I have been dealing with hyperactive nervous system since July 2020 and didn’t have Covid or flu until aug 2022. It caused major dizziness but I still didn’t know what was wrong with me yet so I freaked out and started having panic attacks and all. I have had Covid two more times and panic attacks and dizziness and low back pain are always the things that hit me. What is weird is I will feel “normal sick” for a day or two and then those other symptoms hit hard and suddenly. I don’t know why there is such a delay. My nervous system is definitely an issue with extreme anxiety. I did just start an anxiety med to see if it will help me.

[moodyromancereader]

Hello! I have a question regarding VNG testing. I just found your channel and ordered your workbook & will begin your free course. I have a VNG scheduled for March 1st. Should I be concerned about this testing? I know I need to work on fear and I have heard how awful people feel after the test.

[jrodGod]

Every time i get a flare-up, i come to your page and it's exactly what im going through! So i just got over cold and the dizziness is back unfortunately. So basically this is normal? And how long will it be b4 it goes away?