Dizziness on waking up

I have been feeling dizzy each time I wake up in the morning. Kindly advise me on what to do. I am a 60 -year old retired civil servant.

Emmanuel (by SMS)

Possible causes of waking up dizzy include dehydration, ear infections, low blood pressure, medication side effects, and more. The treatments for morning dizziness can depend on the cause. Most people experience dizziness from time to time. Dizziness presents in different ways, but it can include: feeling faint or lightheaded, feeling off-balance or disoriented as well as having a sensation of spinning. Dizziness is often temporary and may not always have an apparent cause.

However, regularly waking up feeling dizzy or off-balance may be a symptom of an underlying condition. People who are dehydrated during the night can sometimes wake up feeling dizzy or off-balance. Reasons for waking up dehydrated can include: not drinking enough fluids during the day, sleeping in a hot environment, excessive alcohol consumption, illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhea, taking medications that cause a person to urinate more and drinking too many caffeinated beverages, which make a person urinate more.

In addition, Blood pressure can also suddenly fall when a person changes from a lying or sitting position to a standing position, for example, when they get out of bed in the morning. This sudden drop in blood pressure is called postural or orthostatic hypotension. Low blood pressure can sometimes be a symptom of another condition, such as Parkinson’s disease or Addison’s disease.

It can also be caused by prolonged bed rest and certain medications, such as beta-blockers. If a medication is causing low blood pressure, a doctor may recommend changing the dosage or switching to another drug. Treating any underlying conditions can also help prevent symptoms of low blood pressure. Early morning dizziness can be a symptom of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar is more common in people with diabetes, particularly those who take insulin. Labyrinthitis is a viral or bacterial infection of the inner ear that can lead to dizziness.

The infection causes inflammation of the delicate structures of the inner ear, or labyrinth, which play an important role in maintaining a person’s balance. Labyrinthitis can sometimes make it difficult for a person to stand up or stay upright, particularly when getting out of bed. For people with more severe symptoms, a doctor may recommend medications to reduce dizziness and nausea. They may also prescribe an antibiotic if the cause is a bacterial infection. In addition, some medications can cause dizziness as a side effect. These medications may include: antibiotics, diuretics among others. Some lifestyle interventions may help prevent or reduce morning dizziness or feeling off-balance.

Healthcare professionals may recommend: drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, eating a balanced and healthful diet, avoiding caffeinated beverages in the evening, getting enough sleep, doing regular exercise as well as reducing and managing stress. Most people experience dizziness occasionally, and it is usually not a cause for concern. However, regularly waking up feeling dizzy may indicate an underlying condition which will need a medical doctor’s review.

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