Dizziness when standing up can have many root causes, and in fact, there are 9 main causes. Specifically as follows:
1. Side effects of drugs
Drug side effects or drug interactions can cause or worsen dizziness when standing up.
Solution: You can ask your doctor or pharmacist if any medications may be causing your symptoms. They will review your medications for possible side effects and check for drug interactions. They will then advise you on the best way to minimize dizziness caused by drug side effects.
2. Alcohol poisoning
Alcohol poisoning can cause dizziness when standing up. If you find yourself feeling dizzy when standing up while under the influence of alcohol, be careful because you may fall.
Alcohol can also increase the effects for people with vestibular disorders, such as BPPV or vestibular neuritis.
Solution: If you don’t drink that much, be careful because your medications can interact with alcohol. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your medications interact with alcohol. Getting enough sleep and staying hydrated can help you recover. You may also want to limit your alcohol intake in the future to avoid falls and injuries.
3. Dehydration
Dehydration can cause dizziness when standing. This is often a feeling of lightheadedness and can even lead to fainting in severe cases.
Solution: Make sure you drink enough water every day. Drinks containing alcohol or caffeine do not count toward your daily fluid intake because they can cause dehydration. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about your daily water intake goals.
4. Low Blood Pressure
If your blood pressure drops when you stand up, it can cause dizziness when standing. If your blood pressure drops low enough, it’s a medical condition called orthostatic hypotension.
Common causes of orthostatic hypotension (OH) include dehydration, side effects of medications, and prolonged bed rest.
Solution: Change positions slowly, raise your heels or walk in place, and widen your stance when standing, as well as use a support device to avoid falls.
5. Carotid artery blockage
If the carotid artery at the front of your neck is blocked, this can cause dizziness when standing. This can happen in people with atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of plaque in the arteries.
Solution: If you have high cholesterol, you can ask your doctor to check your carotid artery to see if blood flow is reduced,
Your doctor may order a carotid ultrasound or some other vascular imaging test. A surgery called carotid endarterectomy can help relieve dizziness when standing for people diagnosed with carotid artery blockages.
6. Foot Neuropathy
Pedal neuropathy is often caused by poor blood flow or nerve damage in the feet or legs. This condition can cause dizziness when standing.
Solution: You can see your doctor to check if your feet and legs have good blood flow and nerve function. If your doctor is concerned, they may order tests to measure blood flow or nerve function in your feet. If you are diagnosed with foot neuropathy, your doctor will guide you through the next steps for medical care.
7. BPPV
The most common inner ear disorder is called BPPV. This condition occurs when crystals in your inner ear become dislodged and move into another part of the inner ear.
BPPV can cause dizziness when standing in some cases, but not all. If you also feel a dizziness that is worse when you look up, bend down, lie down, roll over in bed, sit up in bed, or get out of bed, you may have BPPV.
Solution: It is advisable to see your doctor and find a vestibular specialist who can effectively diagnose and treat BPPV.
8. Post-concussion syndrome
Concussions can cause dizziness when standing in some patients. Typically, these symptoms resolve within two weeks of a new concussion. For patients with post-concussion syndrome, dizziness related to a concussion can last for weeks, months, or even years.
Solution: If you have a history of trauma or remember hitting your head hard in the past, you may experience dizziness when standing due to post-concussion syndrome. You should mention this history of head injury to your healthcare provider. Post-concussion syndrome can be easily missed without a proper medical history because it often does not show up on a brain CT scan or MRI.
9. Forward Head Posture
When you stand up, your head is supposed to be directly above your spine. This is the ideal position, with the natural curves of your spine. If someone looks at you from the side and sees your head jutting forward in front of your torso, you may have forward head posture.
If you have forward head posture, this can cause dizziness when standing.
The lower cervical spine is hyperflexed, while the upper cervical spine is hyperextended. Blood flow to the brain and ears via the vertebral arteries in the neck can be affected, especially over time.
Forward head posture can also affect proprioception, which is the sensory input from the cervical spine. This can create a feeling of imbalance, which some patients experience as dizziness when standing.
Solution: Forward head posture can be improved with physical therapy or chiropractic care. Therefore, you should seek out a physical therapist or chiropractor who is experienced in addressing forward head posture through manual therapy, postural training, and exercise.
