It sounds like you had vertigo rather than simple dizziness. I had Meniere's Syndrome where vertigo would come and be so severe that I'd throw up (and then have to sleep 3 hours, no choice, couldn't stay awake) and that's very scary as the vertigo doesn't go away quickly and if you're driving. . . (I was once, it was terrifying). But there are lots of causes of dizziness and vertigo; eyes, ears, etc. I found this which might interest you:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vertigo/DS00534