I woke up feeling dizzy

Do you ever wake up one morning and start getting a strange heavy feeling in the head, like your brain is going numb? Surely, you’re probably thinking there’s something wrong, like you’ve just woken up with a massive migraine or headache. Surprisingly enough, it’s not as dire as you might think, unless you experience it regularly. Even if it may not require attention from a health professional, here’s what you should know about morning dizziness.

What causes you to wake up heavy-headed and dizzy?

Some of the most common causes of waking up feeling dizzy and heavy-headed includes low blood pressure (also known as hypotension), low blood sugar (most often if you have diabetes), dehydration, hangovers, and ear infections such as labyrinthitis. If you’re taking prescription medication, make sure that dizziness is not one of the possible side effects. Postural hypotension, can also result from when one changes their position after waking up from sleep. Symptoms from this can include fainting and impaired vision. In general, dizziness after waking up can be a consequence of lack of sufficient blood flow to the brain, which leads to a drop in both energy and glucose. Certain medications that can cause this symptom include antidepressants, antibiotics, and immunosuppressants. However, morning dizziness doesn’t often require medical attention unless a more serious underlying condition is present. This condition can often be vertigo.

Can lack of sleep cause dizziness? Yes and no. Though sleep deprivation normally doesn’t directly lead to it, at least one study has found that disturbances in sleep for those with inner ear disorders can cause dizziness. Insomnia is also a disorder that can also lead to feeling dizzy after waking up, as well as fatigues, severe headaches, and mental health issues. Sleep apnea is another condition that can cause morning dizziness, since it disrupts one’s breathing during sleep, leading to reduced oxygen.

What are the symptoms?

If you wake up and your head feels weird, you can experience several different symptoms. These include balance issues, wooziness, lightheadedness, and feeling like the room you’re in is spinning. Should you also experience dry lips, headaches, and thirstiness, you’re most likely dehydrated. Oftentimes, this can be the result of drinking too much alcohol or caffeine, taking diuretics (also known as “water pills”), or simply not drinking enough water.

Lowered blood pressure can also result from when one changes their position after waking up from sleep. Symptoms from this can include fainting and impaired vision. In general, dizziness after waking up can be a consequence of lack of sufficient blood flow to the brain, which leads to a drop in both energy and glucose.

What Does It mean When You Dream About a Deceased Loved One?

How do you prevent morning dizziness?

Part of treating this condition comes with making certain lifestyle adjustments. These include exercise, sleeping more, minimizing consumption of alcohol and caffeine, eating better, and quitting smoking. It’s also important to drink plenty of liquids—preferably water—during the day, particularly if you perform high-intensity workouts or work a labour-intensive job outdoors. A glass of water before bed and after waking up is another solution.

Normally, morning dizziness doesn’t last particularly long. If you frequently wake up feeling a weird, pulsating sensation in your head, there may be a bigger cause behind your symptoms. Ultimately, the best things you can do are to work out, eat healthy, don’t move your position too quickly upon waking up, and—most obviously—get a good night’s sleep.