Dizziness upon standing is a common phenomenon, caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure known as orthostatic or postural hypotension. Many people experience dizziness when standing up quickly, which is normal; however, if this condition recurs or lasts more than a few seconds, it significantly impacts their lives, prompting doctors to search for a quick solution.
This condition occurs when transitioning from lying down or sitting to standing, as blood temporarily pools in your legs while there is a delayed response to this blood shift. The body must work hard to return blood to the heart. Although this condition is simple and occurs infrequently for many, studies have linked it to an increased risk of diseases such as heart disease and dementia, according to "Sky News Arabia".
Doctors tend to diagnose orthostatic hypotension if your blood pressure drops more than 20 mmHg in systolic pressure and 10 mmHg in diastolic pressure within three minutes of standing.
A study published in the journal "Heart Rhythm" examined about 24 women who experienced frequent fainting when standing. Each participant underwent three trials: the first trial involved standing normally, while the next two involved performing specific exercises before standing up.
Researchers found that activating the muscles in the lower body reduced the likelihood of experiencing dizziness upon standing, which was confirmed by analyzing various blood and heart measurements. One method included crossing your legs while sitting, followed by tensing and relaxing the thigh and buttock muscles immediately upon standing. Another exercise involved raising the knees while sitting, keeping the feet off the ground, and repeating this several times before standing.
It is noted that medical authorities recommend going to the hospital in certain cases related to dizziness, such as difficulty hearing, ringing or other sounds in the ears (tinnitus), experiencing double vision or blurred vision, or other changes in vision. Other cases that warrant a visit to the doctor include numbness in the face, arms, or legs, or if you experience other symptoms such as fainting, headaches, and feelings of nausea.
Dizziness can also be a sign of anemia, arterial blockage, a brain tumor, an inner ear problem, or certain side effects of medication.
