Dizziness After Waking Up
Felling dizzy after waking up can be so disturbing. It happens to many people when they stand up too fast, especially after a short nap. It is however not always dangerous if you feel dizzy once you wake up. If this occurs regularly or with severity it may be a sign of a disease.
This article by FYZICAL Marietta in Marietta, GA will discuss the most common reasons behind dizziness after waking up from bed as well as its symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options.
Common Causes of Dizziness After Waking Up
Postural Hypotension
Orthostatic or postural hypotension is one of the most common reasons for extreme dizziness after waking up. This occurs when blood pressure drops as you transition from lying down to standing up.
The sudden change in position causes blood to rush to the legs due to gravity, reducing blood flow to the brain and triggering temporary dizziness. This type of low blood pressure upon standing often improves after a few minutes as your body adjusts.
Dehydration
Dehydration is another prevalent cause of dizziness after waking up from sleep. During sleep, fluid loss continues through breathing and perspiration. If you do not drink enough fluids before bed or during the night, dehydration can set in and lead to dizziness when getting up. Drinking water before rising can help improve hydration levels and minimize dizziness.
Inner Ear Problems
The inner ear houses the vestibular system, which controls balance and spatial orientation. Problems with inner ear structures can lead to vertigo or spinning sensations when moving the head upon waking up.
This may indicate conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or labyrinthitis. Consulting a doctor is important to diagnose and address inner ear dysfunctions.
Blood Sugar Changes
In people with diabetes, low blood sugar levels overnight can trigger morning dizziness, especially upon standing. High blood sugar levels may also cause dehydration and impact hydration. Maintaining optimal glucose control and drinking sufficient fluids can help minimize the risk of dizziness.
Anxiety
Anxiety and hyperventilation after waking up can manifest as dizziness and vertigo in some people. Rapid, shallow breathing associated with anxiety reduces carbon dioxide levels in the body, triggering symptoms like lightheadedness, tingling and dizziness. Managing anxiety and practicing relaxation techniques helps control morning dizziness from this cause.
Symptoms Associated with Dizziness After Waking Up
On getting out of bed, a person may have symptoms such as light-headedness, dizziness, or the feeling that they are about to faint. The condition can make it difficult to stand up or walk due to sudden loss of balance, vertigo, and vomiting. Sometimes, blurred vision or tunnel vision accompanied by confusion or disorientation can be observed.
A headache can also be felt in addition to sweating and clammyness. Such tinnitus often starts as soon as one gets up from bed or within a few minutes, and the intensity may vary from gentle to severe depending on the reasons behind the problem. Generally, dizziness will improve within 15-30 minutes but may persist for extended periods, requiring medical attention.
Risk Factors for Dizziness After Waking Up
Certain factors can increase susceptibility to dizziness right after waking up:
- Advanced age
- Female sex
- Pregnancy
- Dehydration
- Prolonged bed rest
- Pre-existing conditions like diabetes, Parkinson's, stroke
- Vestibular disorders
- Cardiovascular disease
- Neurological disorders
- Anemia
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- History of fainting
- Medications like diuretics, sedatives, blood pressure drugs
- Alcohol consumption
Being aware of these risk factors can help identify any associated conditions that may be contributing to dizziness in morning after waking up. Seeking medical advice is recommended if you have any underlying illnesses or take medications that lower blood pressure.
Treatment Options for Dizziness After Waking Up
Lifestyle Measures
- Drink adequate fluids before bedtime and upon waking
- Get up slowly from lying down
- Avoid sudden position changes
- Raise the head of the bed for sleep
- Increase salt and fluid intake
- Compression stockings
Medication Adjustments
Consult a doctor about adjusting dosages or timing of medications that may cause dizziness as a side effect. These may include diuretics, blood pressure, anxiety, and antidepressant medications.
Vestibular Therapy
Specialized Physical Therapy Marietta with gaze stabilization, balance, and gait training helps retrain the brain and improves vestibular function in inner ear disorders. FYZICAL Marietta provides customized vestibular therapy in Marietta, GA.
Exercise
Light cardiovascular exercise improves heart health and blood flow regulation, reducing the risk of low blood pressure. Resistance training also helps avoid deconditioning. But check with your doctor before starting new exercise programs.
Home Treatment for BPPV
For dizziness from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, your physical therapist can teach you effective home Epley maneuver exercises to treat BPPV.
Surgery
Surgical procedures like ear shunts may be needed in some cases of inner ear dysfunction causing chronic, debilitating vertigo.
When to See a Doctor
If you experience frequent or persistent dizziness in the morning after waking up, severe vertigo, nausea, or vomiting, it’s crucial to consult a physician promptly. Dizziness following a head injury, loss of consciousness, or falls should also be addressed immediately.
Symptoms like chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or neurological issues such as weakness and loss of coordination are serious indicators that need urgent attention.
Additionally, if you have risk factors like diabetes, heart conditions, or a history of stroke, or if your dizziness isn't improving with self-care measures, seeking medical advice is essential. Timely evaluation and Balance Physical Therapy in Marietta, GA, can help identify potential underlying disorders and significantly improve your symptoms, ensuring better overall health and safety.
Conclusion
In healthy adults, a brief feeling of vertigo upon waking may not be much to worry about. Still, if the dizziness continues or persists in the morning, this can be indicative of various medical conditions that should be examined by doctors. This symptom can be dealt with through maintaining enough fluids in the body, taking slow movements when getting up from bed, altering drug dosage and vestibular rehabilitation.
For an expert vestibular assessment or an individualized Physical Therapy Balance In Marietta, GA plan for dizziness after waking up; kindly contact FYZICAL Marietta located at Marietta in Georgia. This irritating symptom can usually be managed quite well once identified and treated correctly.