Feeling Dizzy When You Stand Up? Causes and Tips for Relief

That Dizzy Feeling When You Get Out of Bed

We've all been there - you wake up in the morning, sit up in bed and immediately feel lightheaded and dizzy. It can be disorienting and concerning when you tumble out of bed dizzy in the head. But what causes it and is it something to worry about?

Getting dizzy upon standing, also called orthostatic hypotension, is actually quite common. It happens when your blood pressure drops suddenly as you change positions. Going from lying down to sitting or standing causes blood to rush downward, leaving your brain with momentarily less blood flow and oxygen. This leads to the dizzy feeling.

What Causes Dizziness When Standing Up?

There are a few factors that can increase the likelihood and intensity of feeling dizzy when you stand up:

• Dehydration - Being dehydrated thickens your blood and decreases overall blood volume, making it more difficult for blood to pump upwards and reach the brain. Drink plenty of fluids if you are feeling dizzy when standing up.
• Low blood pressure - People with naturally low blood pressure are more prone to dizziness when standing. Eat more salt and drink more fluids to help improve low blood pressure.
• Medications - Certain medications like diuretics, antidepressants, and medications for Parkinson's and high blood pressure can contribute to orthostatic hypotension.
• Pregnancy - Changes in blood flow during pregnancy often lead to dizziness with position changes.
• Age - As we get older, blood vessels become less flexible and responsive, making it harder for the body to adjust blood pressure with position changes.

When to See a Doctor

Occasional and brief dizzy spells when standing up are usually normal and not cause for concern. However, you should make an appointment with your doctor if you experience:

• Frequent or prolonged dizziness when standing
• Dizziness accompanied by chest pain, headache, numbness, weakness, or fainting
• Lightheadedness when sitting up slowly or after bending over
• Vertigo - a sense that you or your surroundings are spinning

These types of dizzy spells may indicate an underlying health condition that needs medical attention. Possible causes include:

Dehydration

Being even mildly dehydrated can make you feel lightheaded when you change positions. Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluids than you take in. Causes include:

• Fever
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Intense exercise
• Insufficient fluid intake
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Diuretics

Increase your fluid intake if you are experiencing frequent dizziness when standing up. Sports drinks containing electrolytes can also help replenish depleted minerals.

Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, arises when there is too much insulin and not enough glucose in the bloodstream. This often occurs in people with diabetes, but it can happen to anyone after long periods without eating. Low blood sugar can cause weakness, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, and even fainting.

Drinking juice or eating something sweet will help raise blood sugar levels quickly. For people with diabetes, taking glucose tablets or medication is often necessary for treating low blood sugar episodes.

Low Blood Pressure

Also called hypotension, low blood pressure can lead to insufficient blood flow to the brain when standing up. Contributing factors include:

• Pregnancy
• Heart problems
• Endocrine disorders
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Dehydration
• Being overweight
• Certain medications

Increasing fluid and salt intake, wearing compression stockings, and slowly moving from lying to sitting to standing can help. For chronic low blood pressure, medications or hormone therapy may be prescribed.

Anemia

Anemia occurs when you have a low red blood cell count or not enough hemoglobin in your red blood cells. This reduces the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity. Dizziness upon standing is a common symptom, along with:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heart rate
• Pale skin

Causes include iron deficiency, vitamin deficiencies, chronic diseases, blood loss, and bone marrow problems. Anemia treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause.

Heart Problems

Some types of heart disease and arrhythmias can lead to reduced blood flow to the brain. Symptoms may include:

• Dizziness when standing up
• Shortness of breath
• Racing or pounding heart
• Chest pain

Heart conditions like congestive heart failure, aortic stenosis, and atrial fibrillation can impair your heart's pumping ability. See a cardiologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Vertigo

Vertigo occurs when there is a problem with the inner ear, brain, or sensory nerves, causing dizziness along with a sense of spinning or swaying. It may bring on nausea, vomiting, and difficulty standing or walking. Vertigo can be caused by:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
• Labyrinthitis
• Vestibular neuritis
• Meniere's disease
• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis

After ruling out serious causes, vertigo is often treated with balance exercises, head position maneuvers, and medications to reduce dizziness and nausea.

When to Seek Emergency Care

While common, dizziness upon standing should not be ignored, especially if it occurs along with:

• Chest pain
• Trouble speaking
• Loss of vision
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Severe headache
• Mental confusion
• Fainting

These can indicate stroke, seizure, heart attack, or other dangerous medical conditions requiring emergency care. Seek immediate medical attention if your dizziness is accompanied by any of these symptoms.

Tips for Preventing Dizziness When Standing

You can take measures to help avoid or minimize that dizzy feeling when you get out of bed or stand up:

• Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water and electrolyte-rich fluids.
• Take your time moving from lying to sitting to standing slowly. Avoid abrupt position changes.
• If you wake up dizzy, sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before standing fully.
• Increase salt and fluid intake before exercise, outdoor activities, or exposure to heat to prevent dehydration.
• Wear compression stockings to help blood flow from legs back to heart.
• Raise the head of your bed by a few inches if you experience dizziness in the morning.
• Take heart medications as directed to improve blood flow.
• Do light leg exercises while lying and sitting in bed to activate your leg muscles before standing.

Be aware of any medications that may contribute to orthostatic hypotension and talk to your doctor about alternatives or dosage adjustments if needed. Get evaluated by a medical professional if you frequently feel dizzy upon standing to identify any underlying conditions.

The Bottom Line

Feeling a little unsteady and dizzy occasionally when getting out of bed or standing up is generally normal and not dangerous. But if lightheaded spells are prolonged or frequent, accompanied by other symptoms, or impacting your daily life, see your doctor to uncover any underlying medical issues. Staying hydrated, slowly transitioning positions, and taking your time standing up can all keep that head rush feeling under control.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.