Dizziness when getting up quickly: how to prevent it

The feeling of dizziness when getting out of bed or after changes in posture can appear for a slower adaptation of the body to the change in blood pressure. In many cases, it is associated with the so-called orthostatic or postural hypotensionwhich causes a temporary drop in blood pressure when going from lying or sitting to standing. During those seconds, part of blood tends to pool in the legs and the body needs to quickly adjust vascular tone and heart rate to maintain cerebral blood flow.

“If this adjustment takes longer than expected, stun appearsblurred vision or feeling weak, and in some cases, fainting/fainting. In this sense, the important thing is not to be left alone with the symptom, since an isolated episode usually has an explanation. But if it repeats, it should be evaluated to rule out more serious causes that require follow-up,” he explains. Susana Torres, Emergency coordinator at the Sanitas Virgen del Mar University Hospital.

Although most episodes are not associated with a serious cause, it is recommended pay attention to frequency, duration and accompanying symptoms. Likewise, it is advisable to evaluate situations that may favor them, such as lack of hydration, alcohol consumption, heat, prolonged fasting or sustained rest.

“Some treatments can contribute to these dizzinessespecially if they lower blood pressure or change fluid balance. Therefore, in people with persistent dizziness, the objective is to identify triggers and rule out cardiovascular, metabolic or neurological origin,” adds the doctor.

From this perspective, Sanitas experts advise incorporating the following habits to reduce the likelihood of dizziness when you get up:

Get up without haste. When you wake up, you should first sit in bed and place your feet on the floor. Furthermore, it is recommended wait about 30 seconds and then stand up. If dizziness appears, it is better to sit down again and get up again more slowly.

Drink water regularly. Sometimes dizziness appears because there is a lack of fluid in the body. If the urine comes out very darkis usually a sign of poor hydration. At this point, it helps to drink water throughout the day and have a glass when you get up if it usually happens in the morning.

Move your legs before getting up. Before standing up, it is advisable move your ankles up and down 10 timesas well as squeezing your calves for a few seconds, as if you wanted to “push” the ground. All this makes it easier for the blood to rise better and mitigates dizziness.

Be careful with what makes it worse. High heat and alcohol can increase dizziness when standing up. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid very hot showers and get up calmly when leaving the bathroom.

Review medication. If dizziness begins just after starting or changing a treatment, it is advisable to discuss it with a specialist. Also if they appear more frequently or become more intense. However, you should not discontinue medications on your own.

In conclusion, Dr. Torres considers that it is important listen to your body, monitor good hydration, do not skip meals and prioritize restful resttake into account the frequency, in cases where you are taking medication for a known illness it is important to consult if there are fainting or falls, shortness of breath, chest pain or palpitations, weakness or difficulty speaking, it is best to consult in time and prevent. Getting up well is living better.