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What Causes Dizziness And Lightheadedness At Night?
Question: Twice in the last 3 weeks i have been awakened in my sleep feeling dizzy and light headed - it seems to get better once im awake - other than that i do hot yoga 3 times a week and run 4 miles 3 times per week without any issue - i did have an anxiety attack a year ago and seem to have muscle twitches from time to time throughout the year which i never had before - i have had a CT scan of my heart one year ago and all was clear - any advice will be helpful
Brief Answer:
Looks like anxiety attack
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
I think it is an episode of anxiety. Or maybe you see a dream, breath fast and shallow and this gives the sensation of dizziness and lightheaded.
What I would recommend is to adjust your pillow and see if it is more high then you would prefer it. Same for the bed you are sleeping on.
Also, make sure the room is well aired before you sleep.
If the episodes happen again just breath deep and slowly (preferably into a paper bag).
I don't think you need medications for now. But seek a local doctor advise if these happen more then 4 times/week.
I don't think this is something related with the heart, because problems from the heart happen while on activity when the heart needs more oxygen. So it is typical an anxiety attack.
Other things you may do is to identify things that distress you during the day and try to avoid them. Or read books you like, spend time with friends and talk. Physical activity you are doing is very good also.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please close and rate the answer.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Looks like anxiety attack
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
I think it is an episode of anxiety. Or maybe you see a dream, breath fast and shallow and this gives the sensation of dizziness and lightheaded.
What I would recommend is to adjust your pillow and see if it is more high then you would prefer it. Same for the bed you are sleeping on.
Also, make sure the room is well aired before you sleep.
If the episodes happen again just breath deep and slowly (preferably into a paper bag).
I don't think you need medications for now. But seek a local doctor advise if these happen more then 4 times/week.
I don't think this is something related with the heart, because problems from the heart happen while on activity when the heart needs more oxygen. So it is typical an anxiety attack.
Other things you may do is to identify things that distress you during the day and try to avoid them. Or read books you like, spend time with friends and talk. Physical activity you are doing is very good also.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please close and rate the answer.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you - how do we rule out low blood pressure or blood sugar as a cause - also would any blood rigurgitation cause any such symptoms - thank you. Would you also be able to comment on the muscle twitching that has occured this year - it is sporadic, random and stops once i move the twitching area.
Brief Answer:
Seems like a nervous tic
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow-up question.
Blood pressure cannot give those symptoms while alseep but mostly when you get up fast from lying to standing position. You would have symptoms during day too.
Also, low sugar never happens to people who arr not under medications to lower it or in general happen to people who exercise a lot and have not eaten calories. Never during sleep, just like that.
Tell me something more about that mucle twitching. Does it happen in one mucle or it runs around.
As you are describing it seems like a nervous/motor tic. It doesn't give any pain, yes? These nervous ticks are part of anxiety symptoms and go very well togethet with the diagnoses that I mentioned above. So I would still persist on advicing the same things I wrote to you previously.
I hope I answered your questions. But let me know if any doubts or anymore questions.
Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
Seems like a nervous tic
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow-up question.
Blood pressure cannot give those symptoms while alseep but mostly when you get up fast from lying to standing position. You would have symptoms during day too.
Also, low sugar never happens to people who arr not under medications to lower it or in general happen to people who exercise a lot and have not eaten calories. Never during sleep, just like that.
Tell me something more about that mucle twitching. Does it happen in one mucle or it runs around.
As you are describing it seems like a nervous/motor tic. It doesn't give any pain, yes? These nervous ticks are part of anxiety symptoms and go very well togethet with the diagnoses that I mentioned above. So I would still persist on advicing the same things I wrote to you previously.
I hope I answered your questions. But let me know if any doubts or anymore questions.
Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you - the muscle twitching occurs randomly, sometimes none for weeks and then maybe a few times in one day suddenly - but hence over time i can conclude that my nuscles do twitch - it occurs, typically on shoulder, arms, legs, sometimes it feels like it is occuring in my middle abdomen - again for only a few seconds and no pain and stops once i move or breathe deeply
My other question in the dizzy feeling during sleep was also if this could be due to some aortic regurgitation and i am not getting enough oxygen - it has only happened twice ever as mentioned earlier
My other question in the dizzy feeling during sleep was also if this could be due to some aortic regurgitation and i am not getting enough oxygen - it has only happened twice ever as mentioned earlier
Brief Answer:
Most probably not regurgitation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I am very sorry for taking such long time to answer.
Muscle twitching in general will go away by itself and are not harmful. Sometimes, expecially if they are painful, vitamine deficiency or Magnesium deficiency can be the cause of them, so eating foods with Magnesium or supplements may help with decreasing the twitchings. Dealing with stress will surely help. If they happen very often as to affect your daily activities, then consider seeing a local doctor and do some labs.
About the dizziness I don't think it is related with anything organic because if it was it would give symptoms while you are doing activity which is when the brain needs more oxygen and if you don't have dizziness then, then its nothing to worry about.
Let me know if you have other questions.
Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
Most probably not regurgitation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I am very sorry for taking such long time to answer.
Muscle twitching in general will go away by itself and are not harmful. Sometimes, expecially if they are painful, vitamine deficiency or Magnesium deficiency can be the cause of them, so eating foods with Magnesium or supplements may help with decreasing the twitchings. Dealing with stress will surely help. If they happen very often as to affect your daily activities, then consider seeing a local doctor and do some labs.
About the dizziness I don't think it is related with anything organic because if it was it would give symptoms while you are doing activity which is when the brain needs more oxygen and if you don't have dizziness then, then its nothing to worry about.
Let me know if you have other questions.
Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. REMY KOSHY
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