Why do we feel dizzy when suddenly standing up?

Understanding orthostatic hypotension

Dizziness when standing up is something that most of us are familiar with and probably experienced at least once.

This common condition has an uncommon name, which is Orthostatic hypotension, also called postural hypotension .

Simply put OH is a form of low blood pressure that occurs when you suddenly stand up from sitting or lying position.

Symptoms:

The most common symptom is lightheadedness or dizziness when you suddenly stand up after sitting or lying down, and it usually lasts less than a few minutes.

Orthostatic hypotension signs and symptoms also include:

● Blurry vision.

● Weakness.

● Fainting (syncope).

● Confusion.

● And, Nausea.

Causes:

OH occurs because blood pools in our legs temporarily when we stand up, and it takes our body a moment to compensate by squeezing blood out of the large veins in our legs and revving up the heart a bit.

It may be mild, and episodes can last for less than a few minutes.

On the other hand , long-lasting orthostatic hypotension can signal more-serious problems, so it’s important to see a doctor if you frequently feel lightheaded when standing up.

OH is not a disease in itself. It usually results from an underlying disorder such as :

● Fever.

● Prolonged bed rest.

● Excessive amounts of alcohol.

● Dehydration.

● Certain conditions, such as anemia .

● Heart problems .

● And , Significant blood loss.

Treatment:

In long lasting orthostatic hypotension , the treatment will depend on the cause , and you should consult your doctor to get the proper care .

In general, there are some exercises that you can do to improve the Cardiac output (the amount of blood the heart pumps through the circulatory system in a minute).

● Breathing exercises.

● Squatting.

● Ankle pump.

● And , Recumbent biking.

Some advices that you can follow:

● Get up slowly from a sitting or lying position to allow your blood vessels time to adjust.

● Eat small, frequent meals instead of three large meals per day.

● Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to prevent dehydration.

● Limit alcohol consumption.

● Avoid standing without moving for long periods of time.

● Avoid ascending quickly to high altitudes.

● See your doctor for regular blood pressure check-ups.