Most people have had at least once a dizzy spell upon waking up in the morning. in the morning. It is a common occurrence although it is due to a variety of causes.
One must observe under what circumstances it occurs, the frequency and intensity to understand the possible cause or disorder that may be behind this symptom.
It commonly occurs in the population between 16 and 65 years of age. Generally speaking, this is not a serious or worrisome condition, but if you have been asking yourself “why do I get dizzy when I get up in the morning?” here we explain the causes and what you should do to stop it from happening.
- Recommended article: “Dizziness: what are its symptoms and the 15 most common causes”.
Causes and symptoms of morning sickness
When you wake up and get up in bed, you may feel mild to severe dizziness. It may be accompanied by other conditions and symptoms, or it may be transient but constant. Normally this dizziness is not serious.However, it is not a bad idea to analyze the causes of these dizzinesses and to go to the doctor.
Before becoming alarmed, it is necessary to observe the reactions of the body. In addition to be aware of when it occurs and if it is accompanied by other symptoms that may give us more information. Although a visit to the doctor is always important, this dizziness when waking up in the morning may not mean anything serious.
1. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
The most common dizziness when waking up in the morning is due to this type of vertigo.. It is easily identified because it is a slight dizziness that occurs when getting up or lying down in bed. It lasts only a few seconds and the cause is in the inner ear, without representing a major problem.
As long as the dizziness is mild and lasts for a few seconds, there is probably nothing to worry about. But if it is accompanied by headache, nausea or the episode of dizziness lasts longer, it could be another type of condition that should be checked with your doctor.
2. Orthostatic hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure that causes dizziness.. When dizziness occurs when standing up and lasts for a few minutes, without any other type of discomfort, it is usually because the blood pressure has decreased due to the position.
It can also occur when sitting for a long time. It is not a disease as such, but it is something to be aware of in case it becomes recurrent or generates other discomforts.
3. Vestibular neuritis
Vestibular neuritis is an inflammation in the ear caused by a virus.. One of the most obvious symptoms is an intense dizziness in the morning that may come and go for a few days. There is no pain in the ear, so it is sometimes not recognized as the cause of the dizziness.
It may last up to three weeks and be accompanied by nausea and other symptoms. Dizziness caused by vestibular neuritis does not only occur when waking up in the morning. It occurs throughout the day, so it requires medical review to treat it.
4. Diabetes or hypertension
Diabetes and hypertension cause mild dizziness. It is one of the types of dizziness that occurs when waking up, however, throughout the day may occur recurrently. They are mild and pass quickly, and are accompanied by other symptoms.
Once the chronic disease is controlled, dizziness disappears. They do not cause great discomfort because they are temporary dizziness, but if they are accompanied by mild headaches, ringing in the ears or flashing lights, it is best to go for a check-up.
5. Meniere’s disease
This is a symptomatology that can lead to deafness.. This is a problem in the inner ear that causes severe dizziness, not only when waking up, but throughout the day. In addition to this, there is tinnitus or hearing loss that comes and goes.
The vertigo it produces is quite intense and generates loss of balance. In the face of these symptoms it is necessary to go to the doctor, because it can produce partial or total deafness in the ear. The specialist will request the pertinent studies for an accurate diagnosis and will propose the best treatment.
6. Medication
When different medications are being taken, dizziness may occur.. This tends to occur especially in elderly people. When a disease has been diagnosed and several medications have been prescribed, they cause some side effects.
One of the most common side effects is dizziness when waking up in the morning. As long as this dizziness is mild, does not last more than a few seconds and is not accompanied by other symptoms, there is nothing to worry about.
7. Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency has recently been found to cause vertigo.. It is known as positional vertigo when dizziness occurs when changing from one position to another. For example when lying down and standing or sitting, and from sitting to standing and vice versa.
If there is this type of mild but frequent dizziness and it is not accompanied by any other symptoms, then it is advisable to check the levels of vitamin D, as well as calcium and phosphorus, to verify that it is a deficiency of these minerals and of vitamin D.
When to see a doctor?
When dizziness occurs as an isolated event, it is common not to go to the doctor. However, the recommendation is to ask for a check-up if dizziness is frequent, even if it is mild, or if it occurs even if it is only one but has been very intense..
Before these first symptoms, it is not necessary to go to a medical specialist. It will be enough to visit the family doctor who will observe other possible symptoms and, if necessary, will send some pertinent studies. He/she will be the one to assess the need for a specialized consultation.
But if the dizziness is accompanied by nausea, headache, blurred vision, vomiting or other types of pain, then it is advisable not to wait and go to the doctor. Also, if the dizziness is very intense or lasts more than a minute, the recommendation is to go for a check-up.