Why Do I Get Dizzy When I Stand Up?

It is common for people to report feeling dizzy upon standing. Typically, there is not one simple answer to explain why that may be happening. The first thing I try to do is help my patients determine whether they are dizzy or just feeling off balance when they stand up. If they are dizzy, I ask them the following questions:

1. Do you feel lightheaded or as though you could pass out?
2. Do you have vertigo or a feeling of the room spinning?
3. Do you feel like the world is moving or shifting?

It is not easy to describe dizziness, so, as therapists, we ask questions to help people figure out what they are feeling when they complain of being dizzy upon standing.

I frequently tell my patients that they are their best detectives. They can help their healthcare professionals by paying close attention to details related to their dizzy episodes and may benefit from documenting these details.

Examples of what to take into consideration include:

• What time of day does the dizziness occur?
• How long had you been sitting before it happened?
• Any changes in medications, food, or drink intake?

It is also important to note how frequently the symptoms occur and how long they last.

Below is a list of common causes to help answer the question “Why do I get dizzy when I stand up?” It is possible that more than one of these causes could be the culprit, or that the cause is something that is not on this list.

• Side effects of medications
• Physiologic changes such as blood pressure and/or heart rate changes, blood sugar issues, or dehydration
• Vestibular issues such as hypofunctions, BPPV, or vestibular migraines
• Anxiety caused by a fear of falling
• Response to pain

It is important to notify your primary healthcare provider if you are experiencing dizziness when you stand up. Some patients may benefit from physical therapy to address their dizziness while others may be able to address their symptoms with medication and/or lifestyle changes.

You don’t have to suffer from dizziness! To learn about services that may help treat your dizziness, visit https://shelteringarmsinstitute.com/conditions-and-services/vestibular-rehabilitation/.