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What Causes Dizziness Upon Waking Up?
Question: Hi there Doctor,
I was about to go to clinic to request Blood tests and MRI but the wait is two hours and I wanted to consult with you first. For a few months now I have been waking up then within the first 10 minutes of standing or sitting up I start to feel nautious and dizzy to the point I literally feel like its the end of my life. Its an out of body experience that is really hard to explain. Its like all the blood is being drained out of me or something. Now headaches are happening, constant palm sweats for months now and my memory is almost non existent.
I was about to go to clinic to request Blood tests and MRI but the wait is two hours and I wanted to consult with you first. For a few months now I have been waking up then within the first 10 minutes of standing or sitting up I start to feel nautious and dizzy to the point I literally feel like its the end of my life. Its an out of body experience that is really hard to explain. Its like all the blood is being drained out of me or something. Now headaches are happening, constant palm sweats for months now and my memory is almost non existent.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
One possibility which has to be considered in the case of dizziness occurring when getting up is that of orthostatic hypotension, a fall in blood pressure when changing position from supine to standing. At your age it would be somewhat unlikely, more common in long standing diabetes patients. However it can easily checked without expensive tests by measuring blood pressure supine and standing to see if there is a significant drop (a slight drop is expected, when of 20 mmHg it is more significant).
As for other possibilities it a hormonal issue such as thyroid dysfunction should be searched for. High thyroid levels can explain the sweaty palms and also produce anxiety which can manifest with anxiety and tension type headache. Other metabolic changes may explain the dizziness as well.
Anemia is also another cause to be considered which can manifest with dizziness and headache.
So to resume blood pressure measurements supine and standing and some routine blood tests are the initial step, tests such as complete blood count, ESR and CRP, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, thyroid function, electrolytes. EKG may be done for heart arrhythmias as well. I do not think MRI is necessary for the moment, not unless the doctors notice any neurological signs on physical exam.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
One possibility which has to be considered in the case of dizziness occurring when getting up is that of orthostatic hypotension, a fall in blood pressure when changing position from supine to standing. At your age it would be somewhat unlikely, more common in long standing diabetes patients. However it can easily checked without expensive tests by measuring blood pressure supine and standing to see if there is a significant drop (a slight drop is expected, when of 20 mmHg it is more significant).
As for other possibilities it a hormonal issue such as thyroid dysfunction should be searched for. High thyroid levels can explain the sweaty palms and also produce anxiety which can manifest with anxiety and tension type headache. Other metabolic changes may explain the dizziness as well.
Anemia is also another cause to be considered which can manifest with dizziness and headache.
So to resume blood pressure measurements supine and standing and some routine blood tests are the initial step, tests such as complete blood count, ESR and CRP, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, thyroid function, electrolytes. EKG may be done for heart arrhythmias as well. I do not think MRI is necessary for the moment, not unless the doctors notice any neurological signs on physical exam.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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