Dizzy Spells and Head Rushes

Orthostatic hypotension, also known as postural hypotension, orthostasis, and colloquially as head rush or a dizzy spell, is a form of hypotension in which a person's blood pressure suddenly falls when the person stands up. The decrease is typically greater than 20/10 mm Hg, and may be most pronounced after resting. The incidence increases with age.

Signs and symptoms
Symptoms, which generally occur after sudden standing or stretching (after standing), include dizziness, euphoria, bodily dissociation, distortions in hearing, lightheadedness, nausea, headache, blurred or dimmed vision (possibly to the point of momentary blindness), generalized (or extremity) numbness/tingling and fainting, coat hanger pain (pain centered in the neck and shoulders), and in rare, extreme cases, vasovagal syncope (a specific type of fainting.) They are consequences of insufficient blood pressure and cerebral perfusion (blood supply). Occasionally, there may be a feeling of warmth in the head and shoulders for a few seconds after the dizziness subsides.

Causes
Orthostatic hypotension is primarily caused by gravity-induced blood pooling in the lower extremities, which in turn compromises venous return, resulting in decreased cardiac output and subsequent lowering of arterial pressure. For example, if a person changes from a lying position to standing, he or she will lose about 700 ml of blood from the thorax. It can also be noted that there is a decreased systolic (contracting) blood pressure and a decreased diastolic (resting) blood pressure. The overall effect is an insufficient blood perfusion in the upper part of the body.

Still, the blood pressure does not normally fall very much, because it immediately triggers a vasoconstriction (baroreceptor reflex), pressing the blood up into the body again. Therefore, a secondary factor that causes a greater than normal fall in blood pressure is often required. Such factors include hypovolemia, diseases, medications, or, very rarely, safety harnesses.

please see a doctor right away.

You should see your doctor. I get those symptoms when my allergies get bad and when I get ear infections.

I had the same thing about a month ago....it lasted a week! It was awful!!! I ended up having fluid in my ears which was affecting my balance. Try taking a decongestant and talk to your dr. It may be an ear infection or something else. Good luck and I hope it goes away soon!

I've had the problems you describe since I was 11. I fainted when I walked down the stairs at school. The doctor put my on thyroid medicine after that and I've taken it ever since (40+ years). I still get dizzy, where things start to black out, but I can feel it come on and sit down. Have been told to always sit for a minute or two before standing when getting out of bed. I would definitely go to a doctor and get it checked out. It may be something serious or it could be a dietary thing such as anemia. Either way, it's always best to know what you're dealing with. Good Luck

wow that one guy scared the crap outta me. I get it all the time too. I would see my doctor. But mine is my sugar level.. watch what your eating, we all need sugar but if your watching your diet you might be watching it too much. I had to change up my diet to go around my hypoglycemia.

It sounds like you are not eating enough calories.
You dont have your height and weight on here, but 1200 sounds too low for you.

To give you a reference, I am 4'10 115 and i eat 1500 cals a day (and that is for weight loss my normal is about 2000), you are probably taller than me so 1200 would be too low.

I would up your calories, make sure you are getting enough protein (as too low protein can also cause dizziness) and see how you feel.

I have noticed that this site underestimates calories for individuals.

If upping calories does not work, then please see your doctor.

But typically when i see this, it is simply another person who is cutting calories too low (you would not believe how many times a week i see this at the gym where I work).

The dizzy spells seemed to pass yesterday afternoon. At least I havent had one since about 1 p.m. yesterday. I know I need to increase my calorie intake, 1200 is what I average even though I am set to about 1500 per day. I am waiting it out today to see if they are going to come back before I make a drs appointment. I live in a small town, and it takes weeks to get in to see a dr with an appointment. Thank you everyone for your concern and suggestions

To be honest it sounds like you may be anemic. Low iron levels. How are you on eating red meat and dark greens? Do you seem to bruise a lot and really not know why or how that bruise got there? Are you fatigued and sluggish more so than normal? Weak? Also I know this is tmi but menstrual periods can make symptoms more pronounced.