Real Reason Behind Dizziness When Standing—And How to Fix It

If you’ve ever felt intense dizziness upon standing after sitting or lying down, you might be dealing with “orthostatic hypotension.” This condition can lead to loss of balance and even fainting, so it’s important to take it seriously.

What is Orthostatic Hypotension?

Orthostatic hypotension occurs when blood pressure drops abruptly upon standing from a sitting or lying position, causing dizziness. This happens because blood pools in the lower body, delaying its return to the heart and brain. 

Doctors diagnose the condition when systolic blood pressure falls by 20 mmHg or more upon standing and diastolic by 10 mmHg or more. Common symptoms include headaches, neck stiffness, weakness, dizziness, and sometimes an urge to urinate or defecate.

Why It Happens

It can be caused by everyday factors like fatigue, stress, or even crash diets, which can mess with your circulation. Usually, these cases don’t need medical treatment, but more severe symptoms can sometimes be linked to underlying issues like neurological conditions or diabetic peripheral neuropathy. In those cases, it’s best to get checked out by a doctor.

How to Prevent It

Start by slowing things down—moving slowly when getting up from a sitting or lying position can make a difference.

If symptoms are more severe, wearing compression stockings, using an abdominal binder, or elevating your head by 15 to 20 degrees while sleeping can be helpful.

Lifestyle Tips for Better Circulation

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Aim to drink around 2 liters of water daily.
• Skip the salty foods.
• Eat slowly and avoid heavy meals.
• Keep alcohol to a minimum.
• Focus on lower body strength exercises like walking, squats, or stair climbing.
• Get enough rest

The diet also plays a role in managing orthostatic hypotension. For example, Beta-carotene, found in carrots, is absorbed by the body and converted to vitamin A. This vitamin not only boosts immunity but also enhances blood flow, helping to prevent orthostatic hypotension.

Then there’s allicin, a compound found in garlic that works wonders for circulation and metabolism. Bonus: garlic’s strong aroma is also believed to contribute to better blood flow!