Is it dangerous to feel dizzy when standing up?
Dizziness, blurred vision, loss of balance – have you ever wondered why you experience one or more of these symptoms when getting up from a seat or out of bed?
If your dizziness worsens instead of subsiding after standing up, you should probably talk to your doctor.
In most cases, the dizziness will subside within a few seconds. And in those cases, fortunately, it's nothing to worry about.
"The heart is like a pump, and when you stand up suddenly, the amount of blood going to the heart is reduced," explains Dr. Phillip Low, a neurology lecturer at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. "This can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure, and it takes a short time for the regulatory mechanisms to kick in and repair it."
In medicine, this is called orthostatic hypotension, where the blood pressure drops but then returns to normal. If you occasionally experience such short delays, it may have a specific cause that can be easily corrected.
For example, this could be a sign that you're not eating enough food or drinking enough water. Skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar, while not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, slowing blood circulation. Other causes include exercise, heat exhaustion, pregnancy, alcohol consumption, and lack of sleep.
However, you may need to see a doctor if the dizziness occurs frequently and doesn't go away, meaning if the dizziness really worsens when you stand for a long time.
Dr. Christopher Gibbons, a neurology lecturer at Harvard Medical School, said: "This indicates that the blood pressure has dropped and is not recovering."
Orthostatic hypotension becomes more common with age, says Dr. Gibbons, with 5 to 10% of older adults developing the condition at some point after age 60. Studies have linked orthostatic hypotension to an increased risk of falls and fractures in middle-aged adults.
If the room seems to be spinning, you may have a different problem – an inner ear condition called vertigo. This could be caused by an ear infection or a head injury and will require medical attention.
And another sign of serious illness? If you also lose consciousness after standing up, even if only for a few seconds. A medical evaluation is necessary to look for any potential disorders related to the heart, nervous system, or endocrine system.
Many patients find that their current medication (either directly lowering blood pressure or having a side effect that lowers blood pressure) is the culprit. In these cases, it's necessary to consult a doctor to adjust the dosage or explore alternative options. Never stop taking medication without consulting a doctor, as this can lead to other serious complications.
