Dizziness In The Morning

When you are dizzy, you may feel faint and unsteady. You may even lose your balance or feel like vomiting. 

Sometimes, dizziness in the morning may be mild. But if you experience this symptom frequently or suddenly, you should see a doctor for a diagnosis. Dizziness may be a sign of a serious medical condition.

Fortunately, physical therapy can help you. Your physical therapist is experienced in several techniques for addressing the cause of your dizziness to help you feel better.

Now, let’s look at the common causes of early morning dizziness and how physical therapy in Scottsdale, AZ, can help you.

What Causes Dizziness In The Morning?

You may experience dizziness for several reasons, from excessive night drinking to low blood pressure. The common causes of early morning dizziness include the following;

Dehydration

You can wake up feeling dizzy if you are dehydrated at night. If you experience headaches, tiredness, and thirst along with your dizziness, then you are most likely dehydrated.

You can experience dehydration if you do not drink enough fluids during the day, consume too much alcohol, or sleep in a hot environment. Dehydration can also occur if you drink too many caffeinated beverages or take medications that make you urinate frequently. 

Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure is another common cause of dizziness in the morning. Sometimes, this can be a symptom of a serious medical condition or a side effect of a medication.

In other cases, you may experience low blood pressure if you stand up quickly from a sitting or lying position. You may experience accompanying symptoms like blurred vision and fainting if you are dizzy due to low blood pressure.

Standing up slowly from a sitting or lying position is best to reduce the risk of dizziness.

Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia, can cause dizziness in the morning. Dizziness resulting from low blood sugar often occurs before you eat any food. You might have low blood sugar if you experience shakiness, blurred vision, confusion, and excessive sweating alongside dizziness. It is best to visit your doctor for a diagnosis.

Medications

Many medications like antibiotics and antidepressants have dizziness as their side effect. You should inform your doctor if your dizziness results from a medication. Your doctor may change your dose or recommend a different treatment.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a disorder that can cause repeated interruptions or blockage in your breathing when you sleep. This condition can cause loud snoring and a frequent need to urinate at night.

Because sleep apnea interferes with your sleep and breathing at night, your blood does not get enough oxygen. Therefore, you are likely to experience dizziness when you wake up.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is an infection of your inner ear. An infection in your inner ear can cause dizziness and make you lose your balance. If you experience ear pain, headaches, double vision, and ear ringing, seek immediate medical attention.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is a disorder in your inner ear. It occurs when the small calcium crystals in the inner ear get loose. You may feel the crystals when you get in and out of bed or tilt your head up.

BPPV can lead to brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness. If you have this disorder, changing your head position can result in dizziness. You should visit your physical therapist for treatment if you feel unsteady or like your surroundings are spinning. 

How To Know Which Ear Is Affected By BPPV

• Sit on your bed such that if you lie down, your head will hang slightly over the end of the bed.
• Turn your head to the right and lie back quickly
• Hold this position for one minute
• If you feel dizzy, your right ear is the affected ear
• If no dizziness occurs, sit up and wait for one minute
• Turn your head to the left and lie back quickly
• Hold this position for one minute
• If you feel dizzy, your left ear is the affected ear

How To Reduce Dizziness In The Morning

You can reduce your risk of dizziness in the morning by incorporating the following lifestyle changes;

Stay Hydrated

Hydration can help reduce dizziness. You don’t have to wait till you are thirsty before you drink water, especially if you have a physically active job. Aim for at least 8 cups of water daily if you are active or sweat a lot.

In addition, avoid drinking alcohol, especially before bed. Alcohol dehydrates you. Drinking a full glass of water before and after getting out of bed is also best. You can keep a bottle of water beside your bed to drink it first thing in the morning.

Also, try to avoid taking caffeinated beverages in the evening. They can cause dehydration.

Get Out Of Bed Slowly

Sitting or standing up quickly when you wake up can reduce your blood pressure. It is best to slowly get out of bed to reduce dizziness in the morning. 

Get Enough Sleep

Lack of sleep can increase your risk of dizziness in the morning. You should aim for 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night.

When Should You See Your Doctor For Dizziness In The Morning? 

Sometimes, dizziness in the morning may not be a serious concern. However, if you experience it frequently, it is advisable to seek medical attention.

Also, seek immediate medical attention if your dizziness is accompanied by chest pain, slurred speech, severe headache, double vision, or rapid heart rate. This may indicate an underlying medical condition.

How Can Physical Therapy Help With Dizziness In The Morning?

Your physical therapist in South Scottsdale is experienced in administering vestibular rehabilitation for inner ear problems. This treatment focuses on improving your balance and relieving dizziness.

When you visit Balance Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ, for treatment, your physical therapist will assess and diagnose your symptoms to develop a tailored treatment plan for you. This treatment is progressive; your physical therapist may adjust as you move along. 

Your physical therapist will also educate you on ways to prevent dizziness and how to manage your symptoms.

What Physical Therapy Exercises Are Used To Treat Dizziness In The Morning?

Your physical therapist may recommend these exercises to help you manage dizziness resulting from problems in your inner ear.

Brandt-Daroff Exercises

This exercise involves you shifting from a lying to a sitting position. It retrains your body to cope with dizziness safely.

How To Do Brandt-Daroff Exercise

• Sit upright on the edge of a sofa or bed.
• Turn your head to the left at 45 degrees or as far as is comfortable.
• Lower the right side of your body while keeping your head in that position.
• Hold this position for 30 seconds or till your dizziness stops.
• Slowly return to the starting position and turn your head back to the center.
• Repeat the exercise on the other side.

Epley Maneuver

The Epley Maneuver consists of movements that reposition the crystals in your inner ear to relieve dizziness resulting from BPPV.

How To Do The Epley Maneuver

If you have right ear BBPV,

• Sit on the edge of a bed.
• Turn your head to the right at 45 degrees or as far as is comfortable.
• Quickly lie back until your shoulders are on the pillow.
• Maintain your position for 30 seconds after your dizziness subsides.
• Turn your head till it is 45 degrees to the left without lifting it.
• Maintain this position for 30 seconds.
• Turn your head and body another 90 degrees into the bed till you are lying on your left side.
• Maintain this position for 30 seconds.
• Slowly sit up.

If you have left-ear BPPV, do the exercise on the other side

Foster Maneuver

This exercise also addresses dizziness resulting from BPPV. It is also known as the half-somersault.

How To Do The Foster Maneuver

• Kneel and place your hands on the floor.
• Tilt your head up and back. Wait for your dizziness to pass.
• Place your forehead on the floor and tuck your chin towards your knees.
• Turn your head 45 degrees toward the affected ear to face your elbow.
• Hold this position for 30 seconds.
• Keep your head at 45 degrees and raise it until it is level with your back and shoulders.
• Hold the position for 30 seconds.
• Raise your head to the fully upright position.

Conclusion

Dizziness in the morning can affect your day. You may experience this due to lack of sleep, dehydration, or low blood pressure. Regardless of the cause of your dizziness, your physical therapist can diagnose your condition and recommend an appropriate treatment.

Following your treatment and implementing lifestyle changes is essential to managing your symptoms and preventing a recurrence. You can reach out to FYZICAL South Scottsdale for a customized treatment plan.