Waking up dizzy can be a scary feeling as you will be disoriented and dazed. If you find yourself stumbling to the bathroom and are dizzy after sleeping or feeling a tingling sensation in your head and feel like the room is spinning, then you are probably wondering:
Why am I waking up dizzy? What’s happening if I wake up dizzy? Furthermore, is there anything I can do to make the dizziness go away?! Dizzy spells in the morning can be caused by a variety of things. Often, they are simply due to getting up too quickly from lying down. This can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness. Other causes of morning dizziness include dehydration and low blood sugar.
Table of Contents
- What is dizziness and waking up dizzy?
- What does waking up dizzy feel like?
- Is vertigo worse in the morning?
- Waking up dizzy middle night
- Do females experience vertigo more than males?
- Causes of waking up dizzy
- What can be done about waking up dizzy?
- What is the swimmy head feeling?
- When to see a doctor about waking up dizzy?
- Using CareClinic to keep track of your dizziness
- Final thoughts on waking up dizzy
What is dizziness and waking up dizzy?
Dizziness is not a condition or sickness on its own; however, it can be a sign or symptom of an underlying condition. Sometimes you may feel as if you have bad vertigo in the morning and feel dizziness getting out of bed. Vertigo is a condition associated with dizziness and may occur together. Vertigo will also have a feeling of spinning or rotating associated with it. It is common for people to wake up dizzy occasionally; you may even feel a similar sensation when standing up after sitting for long periods of time and feel like you woke up off balance. However, waking up dizzy regularly is not normal and can be a sign of serious underlying sickness. If you feel lightheaded in the morning consistently, read on to determine what you should do.
What does waking up dizzy feel like?
Dizziness is a common problem, and there are many possible causes. In most cases, it’s nothing to worry about and will go away on its own. However, if you experience dizziness frequently or it’s accompanied by other symptoms, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. Waking up dizzy can feel different from person to person; there are many symptoms and sensations that come along with dizziness. People describe their experiences with persistent morning dizziness as sensing one or more of the following:
- Loss of balance
- A feeling of motion or spinning
- Wooziness or a floating sensation
- Blurred vision or double vision
- Tingling sensation in head and dizziness
- Feeling lightheaded
- Unsteadiness
- Vomiting and Nauseous and sweating
These symptoms of chronic dizziness in the morning may worsen when you move your head, stand up or walk around. When experiencing these symptoms, ensure you are being careful when moving throughout your morning as you are at a higher risk of getting hurt or injured. Episodes of dizziness may only last a few seconds or can last most of the day. Along with that, you may also experience dizziness throughout the day and not just in the morning.
Is vertigo worse in the morning?
The inner ear is responsible for our sense of balance, so when it isn’t working properly, we can feel dizzy or lightheadedness in the morning. This can be worse in the morning because gravity has had a chance to pull down on the fluid in our inner ears overnight. Changes in position can also make vertigo worse, so getting out of bed too quickly may make you feel dizzy. If you have inner ear problems, your doctor may recommend some exercises or physical therapy to help retrain your balance system.
Waking up dizzy middle night
There are many possible causes of waking up feeling dizzy in the middle of the night. It could be something as simple as low blood sugar levels or dehydration. However, it could also be a sign of a more serious condition such as an inner ear infection or a heart problem. Keep reading below to learn more about the different causes for waking up dizzy.
Do females experience vertigo more than males?
There is no definitive answer to this question as there is currently no scientific evidence to support a specific claim. However, some experts believe that women may be more susceptible to certain types of dizziness, such as vertigo, due to hormonal changes. Additionally, women may be more likely to experience dizziness during pregnancy or menopause due to changes in their hormone levels. If you are experiencing dizziness, it is important to speak with your doctor.
Causes of waking up dizzy
There are various causes why you may be waking up dizzy and nauseous in the morning and they can range from serious health problems to normal everyday issues, such as underlying medical conditions or the sudden adjustment of balance as you change from lying to a standing position. You may have more than one causal factor that leaves you waking up feeling dizzy.
Medication May Cause Dizziness Symptoms
If you take any medication, this may be the cause of why you are waking up dizzy. Medication can be a cause of dizziness as it is a common side effect for many. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your prescriptions.
Dehydration
Dehydration happens when you utilize or lose more liquid than you take in, and your body needs more water and different liquids to function at its normal capacities. In the event that you don’t replenish lost liquids, you will become dehydrated. Dehydration can cause morning dizziness as this can take place after a night of excessive drinking or from a medical condition involving high blood sugar. Working in a hot location, excessive sweating, or not drinking enough water throughout the day can also cause dehydration.
Blood flow
The nutrients in your blood help transport red blood cells to the rest of the body. One of those happens to be iron and when the iron contents in the body aren’t sufficient then the body cannot operate properly. This results in reduced blood flow to the brain causing dizziness and even fainting in certain situations. This can be a reason why you experience dizziness when lying down or dizziness when standing up.
Low blood sugar
Waking up dizzy can be a sign of low blood sugar because you may feel dizzy before eating your first meal. This can be a common occurrence if you have diabetes and take insulin or other prescriptions. If you did not have enough to eat the night before or if your prescription dosage is too high, you can become hypoglycemic in the morning, leaving you feeling dizzy. It is possible to be hypoglycemic even if you do not have diabetes. If you have concerns that you are showing symptoms of hyperglycemia, contact your doctor to get tested.
Inner ear problems (Ear’s peripheral vestibular system)
Inner ear problems can cause vertigo as your feeling of balance relies upon the consolidated contributions from the different areas of your sensory system. If you have these problems, your brain is retrieving signs from your inner ear that are inconsistent to the signs from your eyes and sensory nerves. The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, helps us to maintain balance and equilibrium. It is made up of the semi-circular canals, which sense movement of the head, and the otolith organs, which sense changes in head position. Signals from these organs are sent to the brain via the vestibular nerve.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) happens when you feel a minor to a strong sensation of dizziness that can be onset by changing the positions of your head. This can also be why you experience dizziness when lying down and dizziness when standing up. BPPV is perhaps the most widely common cause for vertigo. This condition is rarely a cause for concern with the exception of an increased risk of falling. BPPV is a type of inner ear problem and will have similar symptoms and solutions as other inner ear problems.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is an obstructive breathing condition that will stop you from breathing temporarily as you sleep. Central sleep apnea can arise when your brain does not send correct signals to the muscles that manage respiration. It is possible that you may have both central and obstructive sleep apnea; this is called complex sleep apnea syndrome. Since your breathing experiences interruptions, you can have lower levels of oxygen; this can cause you to wake up dizzy. Similar effects can take place if you are a regular and heavy snorer.
Migraines
Migraine-associated vertigo can be common if you experience chronic headaches. The dizziness sensation may be associated with light and noise sensitivity and can persist for hours. The dizziness does not have to occur when you are having a headache; it can be a lasting effect of the migraine.
Pregnancy
Dizziness during pregnancy can be associated with morning sickness which can lead to you waking up dizzy. The changing levels of hormones are in part responsible for these feelings. If you are experiencing dizziness during pregnancy, contact your doctor or healthcare professional.
Anxiety
Anxiety can be a source of morning dizziness especially if you are nervous about a particular event taking place in your day ahead. If the feeling of dizziness is not hindering your ability to function and only happens on the morning of an important day, then it is likely not a cause for concern. However; if the feelings of anxiety persist and are overwhelming, you can contact your healthcare professional to discuss your options for treatment.
Orthostatic hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension is a condition in which your blood pressure drops when you stand up from a sitting or lying down position. This can cause you to feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint.
What can be done about waking up dizzy?
Here are some tips to reduce morning dizziness. If you constantly experience dizziness upon waking in the morning, there are a few things you can do to help lessen the symptoms:
Hydration
One of the most notable actions you can take to prevent yourself from waking up dizzy is drinking water. Staying hydrated throughout the day can be especially helpful if you are exerting a great deal of physical energy and sweating a lot. On average, drinking eight cups of water a day is what’s recommended for most people. On the other hand, you may need to drink more depending on your lifestyle and body.
Avoid suddenly changing your position
Sudden shifts in positioning can cause your blood flow to rush downwards or to your head leading to the feeling of dizziness when standing up and dizziness when lying down. This means that dizziness when standing up may be avoided if you move slower from your resting position to your upright position. Along with that, dizziness when lying down can also be mitigated in a similar manner.
Meclizine for vertigo
If you are experiencing problems affecting your inner ear, your doctor may suggest taking meclizine for vertigo to help alleviate the symptoms. Meclizine can also be used to prevent or as a treatment to nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Meclizine for vertigo is not a solution for everyone and you should discuss with your doctor if it is right for you.
Eating meals regularly
It’s important that you are not skipping meals to avoid irregular drops in blood sugar. The nutrition you receive from your meals can fix potential reasons of why you are waking up dizzy. For example, your iron levels can be improved by regularly eating the right food and maintaining iron levels can help you to not feel dizzy in the morning.
Avoid drug and alcohol use
Smoking cigarettes, drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, and using other drugs for recreational purposes can be a contributing factor to morning dizziness. Some drugs can lead to a tingling sensation in head and dizziness which can be a reason why you are waking up dizzy. Avoiding these unhealthy substances can help with the symptoms of dizziness in the morning.
What is the swimmy head feeling?
The swimmy head is a feeling of lightheadedness or dizziness. It can be caused by many things, including inner ear problems, dehydration, or low blood sugar. If you have swimmy head that comes on suddenly or is severe, you should see a doctor to make sure there isn’t a more serious problem. If your swimmy head is mild and goes away after a few minutes, you can try drinking some water or eating something sugary to see if that helps.
When to see a doctor about waking up dizzy?
Waking up dizzy may well be a mild symptom or a sign of an underlying issue that can be serious, thus it’s necessary to seek a doctor or other healthcare professional if you’re experiencing symptoms on a daily basis. Sudden blurred vision or cloudy vision can be very frightening. Seek medical attention if you experience this, as it could be a sign of a more serious condition, especially if it is persistent.
If morning dizziness additionally comes with visual defects, vomiting, and issues coordinating your arm and leg movements, obtain immediate medical care. If you’ve recently experienced a fall or head injury, you should see a doctor as these symptoms could be an indication of something harmful.
Using CareClinic to keep track of your dizziness
You can use the CareClinic app features to track your symptoms, nutrition and physical activity throughout your day. You can also use the diary entry feature to write more detailed health experiences. In the app, you can use the reports feature to compile all the information in an easy-to-read format. You can share this information with your doctor to gain a better understanding of your personal situation. The CareClinic app is free and is available to download for both iOS and Android.
Symptom tracker
CareClinic is one of the highest-rated mobile health apps available. You can use CareClinic’s app for symptom tracking and it allows you to track your symptoms associated with dizziness. The symptom tracker functions as a method to organize what you are feeling and experiencing. It enables you to track and monitor your symptoms, as well as the actions you are taking to manage them. You are able to input what symptom you are experiencing, and the severity you are experiencing it on a scale from 1 to 10 and add any important notes related to the symptom.
Your symptoms that are being tracked will also be timestamped so you will know exactly when you experienced the symptoms. You can track the symptoms to see if they are improving or worsening over time; additionally, you can understand if any treatment efforts you make are helping reduce morning dizziness. If you continue to wake up feeling dizzy and you believe there is a cause for concern, you will be able to show your doctor all the symptoms you have been keeping track of which will allow them to better understand your circumstances to help you with treatment.
Diary for Journaling
CareClinic’s diary entry feature lets you write entries about your daily life. Use the diary entry feature on the app to track how the symptoms of dizziness are affecting your functioning throughout the day. With this feature, you will be able to write in more detail about your experience when waking up dizzy. Through this feature, you can also write about activities and events that happen during your day; these activities may be the cause of your morning dizziness. Using the diary entry feature, you can add pictures that are related to your health concerns; this can keep your pictures and notes all in one place.
Nutrition tracker
Since the main treatment to avoid waking up dizzy is staying hydrated by drinking water regularly throughout the day, you can use CareClinic’s nutrition tracker to log your water intake. This can ensure that you know how much you have drank and how much more you need to drink before the end of the day. The time of day that you drink water may play a part in why you wake up dizzy. Logging the time with your consumption of water can help you better understand your body and the way it reacts to your water consumption.
The nutrition tracker can also be valuable when tracking the food you consume. You can do this while counting the calories that you are eating. This can ensure that you are eating the proper amount of food for your body which may help ease the symptoms of your morning dizziness. This can be especially helpful if the cause of your waking up dizzy stems from hyperglycemia. To help keep the symptoms of hyperglycemia under control, maintaining a healthy diet is essential. Sugar intake can be tracked, so you will be aware if you need to consume more sugar if you are lower than usual. Tracking your diet can also be useful if your morning dizziness is caused by a lack of nutrition; measuring the nutrition facts in your meals can help you meet your consumption goals.
Activity Tracker
A feature that can be beneficial to understanding your overall health is CareClinic’s activity tracker. Since physical activity can be the main cause of dizziness and lead you to wake up dizzy, keeping track of the activities you take part in can help you understand why you may be experiencing morning dizziness. Using the activity tracker, you can keep track of your workouts while experimenting with different exercises and working out at different times of the day. From these logs, you can observe if any changes in your physical activity routines affect your experience with morning dizziness.
Reports of waking up dizzy
CareClinic has a great feature for reporting; it can provide a lot of insight into your lifestyle and overall health. It takes into consideration your logged entries in your diary, nutrition, activities, and dizziness symptoms. The feature will also create reports that display the association among those entries. Using the reporting tool will allow you to see all of your inputs at a high level. You can view this through charts and graphs in an easy-to-read format. You can also view any correlations that the reports may find within your entries.
Final thoughts on waking up dizzy
It is normal to wake up feeling dizzy every once in a while, but if the symptoms persist over a long period of time, you should seek medical attention as it may be a serious problem. If you are experiencing morning dizziness, there are many factors that can cause this to happen. The most common causes as to why you are waking up dizzy are dehydration, pregnancy, inner ear problems, or medication side effects. For more information on why you may be waking up dizzy, contact your doctor or a healthcare professional to discuss your specific situation.
