Dizziness When Standing Up, What Could Be Causing It?
A new reader of Ask Dr. Manny has reached out to us asking about a new symptom they’re experiencing.
The reader reports frequent dizziness when standing, and how that sometimes impacts their balance for several minutes later.
They want to know if this is normal or something they should head to the doctor for.
We always recommend heading to the doctor if anything changes in your day-to-day life. Dizziness and balance problems are definitely included in that.
To answer the question, balance issues do show up in a lot of people over 50. Dizziness can also show up, but it’s often linked to various other conditions and issues.
According to the National Institute on Aging, balance problems and dizziness can be tied to:
- Certain medications
- Balance disorders
- Other medical conditions
These factors all lead into why older adults sometimes fall. It’s also why doctors take new dizziness issues seriously.
For instance, you stand up from bed, or from a chair, and your head goes light for a moment. This leads to a short period where you feel off-balance as you try to walk it off. If this is happening to you, get it checked out.
According to the Mayo Clinic, this issue might be orthostatic hypotension. Yet, until you see a doctor, it cannot be confirmed.
Identifying the right sensation
Interestingly, MedlinePlus highlights that balance problems can come from aging, infections, and head injuries too, not just the causes listed above.
They recommend naming the sensation first. For example:
- Spinning (vertigo): The room feels like it’s moving
- Lightheaded: You feel faint or washed out
- Unsteady: Your legs feel unreliable, even if your head is clear
Another cause of some of these issues might be low blood pressure. The Cleveland Clinic says that people often feel better when they sit or lie down, and some people may faint. So, if you experience these issues, sit down and don’t try to walk it off.
There are so many possible causes. For instance, BPPV is a classic positional problem that tends to hit people hard and fast. BPPV is a type of vertigo, and the Mayo Clinic reported that it causes brief periods of dizziness triggered by changes in head position.
Other possible causes include dehydration, not eating enough, or generally being sick.
As there are so many potential causes leading to dizziness and balance issues, it’s vital to get checked out.
What to do if encountering dizziness or balance issues
As many retirement age people lose their lives each year because of falls, we recommend the following while experiencing a dizzy spell, or suffering from balance problems:
- Immediately hold onto something steady or sit down.
- Move in stages and don’t rush. For example, go from lying to sitting, rather than standing right up.
- Keep a record of events. Include the time, what you believe triggered it and the duration. Take this to any appointments.
- Track any medication changes in your records and take these to appointments also.
- Remove any trip hazards at home, especially in low light areas.
- Don’t drive until your issues are reviewed.
If your dizziness or balance issue is new, frequent, or tied to near-falls, seek medical help.
A clinician will check blood pressure while you sit and stand. They will also review medications, look at ear causes, and decide if further tests are needed.
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