Caught Off Balance? What To Do About Waking Up Feeling Dizzy

It was on a Monday morning, and I was waking up feeling dizzy. It was strange, but I just passed it off as if it was nothing serious. I’ve felt dizzy at other times before. I took a shower, and as I was drying my legs off, everything went black. I fell over underneath the sink. Although, I don’t think I was out for very long.

I walked and sat down on my bed. Then my eyes started twitching back and forth for about five seconds. Then they finally slowed down and stopped. I thought I had had a mild stroke. But I didn’t go to the ER until later that night, because the dizziness was still there.

I was running through my brain, “why did i wake up dizzy?” Did I do anything different the night before? The answer was no. I wouldn’t find the answer unit a few weeks later. I did stay in the hospital for a few days until the dizziness went away. They did every test possible to ensure I didn’t have a stroke.

Dizzy When Getting Out of Bed

This past Friday, I woke up, felt dizzy, and the room was spinning worse than before. Plus, I was having a panic attack. I haven’t had one in quite some time, and this one was pretty bad. I’d say it was close to being one of the worst I’ve ever had. I couldn’t get the anxiety in check, so I took a little extra Klonopin.

I wouldn’t recommend that, but everything I tried wasn’t working. So, I guess you could say I was desperate. It was like going back into a time when I didn’t have a med to take, and the anxiety was that bad. I didn’t want to revert back to the past.

I didn’t take a shower, because the dizziness was bad. Basically, I felt like I was walking sideways. Hence, I know that some of you reading this can relate. I kept walking to my left. So, I would like to discuss possible reasons why you’re waking up feeling dizzy in the mornings, and what to do about it for the rest of this post.

Low Blood Pressure

Waking up feeling dizzy in the morning? Low blood pressure (hypotension) might be the culprit. When your blood pressure drops too low, it can slow the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain, causing dizziness, lightheadedness, or even fainting. This often happens when you go from lying down to standing up, a condition called orthostatic hypotension. Other signs of low blood pressure can include morning fatigue, blurred vision, and nausea.

There are a few reasons why you might experience low blood pressure in the morning. Dehydration is common—if you’re not drinking enough water during the day, it can lower your blood volume and, in turn, your blood pressure. Some medications, like those for high blood pressure or heart conditions, can also cause your blood pressure to dip.

Sleep Apnea

Another possible reason for low morning blood pressure could be sleep apnea. This condition interrupts your breathing while you sleep, which can lower oxygen levels in your body and affect your blood pressure. If you think you might have sleep apnea, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor—it’s important to address, as it can impact your health in serious ways.

Poor Circulation

Waking up feeling dizzy in the morning? Poor circulation might be to blame. When your brain doesn’t get enough blood flow, it can leave you feeling lightheaded or off balance. This could happen due to things like low blood pressure, heart issues, or even sleeping in a position that cuts off blood flow. Other signs of poor circulation to watch for include cold hands and feet, feeling tired, or experiencing numbness or tingling in your arms and legs.

Good news—there are easy ways to improve your circulation and cut down on morning dizziness! Staying hydrated is a great start. Dehydration can worsen poor circulation, so keep that water bottle handy and drink up throughout the day. Regular exercise is another big help. Whether it’s a walk, a jog, or some gentle yoga.

Looking to give your circulation a little boost? Try adding some circulation-friendly foods to your meals! Think juicy berries, refreshing citrus fruits, leafy greens like spinach and kale, and healthy fats from avocados and olive oil. Your body will love you for it!

Blood Sugar Levels

Waking up feeling dizzy in the morning? Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) might be the culprit. While you sleep, your body keeps using glucose for energy, and if your blood sugar drops too low, it can leave you feeling dizzy, shaky, tired, or even a bit confused when you wake up.

Diabetes

This is common in people with diabetes, especially those on insulin or other blood sugar-lowering medications. It can also happen to non-diabetics who don’t eat enough before bed or have conditions affecting blood sugar. Nighttime hypoglycemia can cause sweating, confusion, or waking up weak and shaky.

Keeping an eye on your blood sugar levels and sticking to a balanced meal plan can really help prevent nighttime hypoglycemia. Having a small snack before bed is also a great way to avoid low blood sugar while you sleep. And don’t forget to keep some fast-acting carbs nearby, just in case your blood sugar dips during the night!

Sleep Dehydration

Feeling dizzy in the morning? Dehydration while you sleep might be the culprit. When your body is low on water, your blood volume drops, which can lower your blood pressure and reduce oxygen flow to your brain. This can leave you feeling lightheaded or a bit off-balance when you wake up.

Staying Hydrated

Dehydration can sneak up if you’re not drinking enough water, sweating at night, or having alcohol or caffeine before bed (they can cause fluid loss). Stay hydrated during the day and have a small glass of water before bed (but not too much to avoid late-night bathroom trips). Certain medications, like diuretics or laxatives, can also cause dehydration. If you notice signs, talk to your doctor.

Dehydration happens when your body loses more fluids than it takes in, throwing off the balance of water and electrolytes. This can cause symptoms like feeling tired, dizzy, thirsty, or noticing dry skin. If it gets serious and isn’t treated, dehydration could even lead to a trip to the hospital—so stay hydrated!

Vertigo

This is what I was finally diagnosed with. Vertigo can definitely be the reason you’re waking up feeling dizzy in the morning. It’s often caused by inner ear issues, like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which happens when changes in head position trigger dizziness. Things like lying down, turning over in bed, or sitting up too quickly can bring on that spinning sensation or feeling of being off-balance.

Vertigo can be caused by inner ear infections, Meniere’s disease, or vestibular migraines. Inner ear infections can cause inflammation that disrupts your balance. Meniere’s disease affects the inner ear and causes vertigo, along with tinnitus and hearing loss. Vestibular migraines are another cause, bringing dizziness or vertigo with them.

Certain Medications Can Cause Vertigo

Some medications can cause vertigo as a side effect, like certain antibiotics, anti-seizure meds, and blood pressure medications. Other possible causes of vertigo include head injuries, growths in the inner ear, or issues with the central nervous system. If you’re dealing with frequent or severe vertigo, it’s a good idea to check in with a doctor.

Managing vertigo can be tricky, but a few simple lifestyle changes might help ease your symptoms. Try to avoid sudden head movements, make sure you’re getting plenty of rest, and don’t forget to stay hydrated!

If your vertigo is caused by an inner ear issue, your doctor might recommend medications to help with the problem. These medications can ease inflammation in the inner ear or calm the signals that make you feel dizzy.

Treatments For Vertigo

Treating vertigo depends on what’s causing it and how severe the symptoms are. If an inner ear infection is to blame, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics. For Meniere’s disease, medications like diuretics or anti-nausea drugs can help. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is also a great option to improve balance and reduce those dizzy spells.

Making a few lifestyle changes can sometimes help ease vertigo symptoms. Try cutting back on triggers like too much caffeine or alcohol, make sure you’re getting plenty of rest, and explore stress-busting activities like meditation or yoga.

For more serious cases of vertigo, there are surgical options that can help. One procedure, called a canalith repositioning maneuver, helps move the calcium crystals in the inner ear that may be causing your symptoms. In rare cases, surgery might be recommended to address underlying issues like tumors or structural problems in the inner ear.

Sum It All Up

So, approximately two weeks later, I had dizziness when I was diagnosed with vertigo. I had heard of it before and knew it had something to do with the inner ear. It’s kind of funny how the morning it first happened, I almost passed out two other times. I’m kind of a stickler with money since I’m on a fixed income. That’s why I didn’t go to the hospital right away, and I also drove myself there.

I mean, I have insurance now, but I hesitated, because I thought they wouldn’t believe me, and I still have to fork out money after the insurance pays. My doctor gave me medicine for the dizziness, but it hasn’t helped much.

So, now if you are waking up feeling dizzy, you have some ideas of what could be causing it. I’m not diagnosing you, I’m just giving you a few possibilities why. Peace and always love. Until next time…