Off & On Headaches & dizziness!?

Toshberry25M · April 2018

started yesterday I woke up to a throbbing headache and when i get out of bed i feel all dizzy and weird like i have to stand there for a minute just to get my vision back and then it goes away and then back like every other hour of the day and same all day today... i'm eating all my cals as usual .. not starving, not skipping meals, drinking my daily cup of coffee !? what is going on!? also had a rest day to see if this would let up and it hasnt... anyone else experiencithe headache and dizziness randomly !? any suggestions!?

MichelleSilverleaf · April 2018

Go see a doctor. If you really can't pinpoint what might have caused it, it's time to see a dr.

MelanieCN77 · April 2018

My allergies kicked in Monday this last week and this is how I feel - low key sick with low energy and dizziness, congestion, add the dry air and it's pretty miserable. How are your sinuses? Or you could just have a cold or have needed to eat more the last few days.

emmamcgarity · April 2018

I have had this issue a few years back and it was related to low blood pressure. Definitely see a doctor. And stay well hydrated.

Silinde · April 2018

Sugar levels? Blood oxygen saturation levels (related to e.g. exercise)? -> See a doctor.

mbaker566 · April 2018

best to see a doctor.

1BlueAurora · April 2018

Call your doctor. And have someone else drive you to your appointment since there's a chance you might experience these symptoms while driving.

Frequently_Fabulous · April 2018

I don’t think you need to see a doctor. This is classic orthostatic hypotension. The treatment is to drink more water and increase your salt intake.

Essentially, when you stand up, blood rushes to your feet/legs. Your blood pressure temporarily “spikes” to push the blood up to your chest and head. If you are dehydrated or your blood pressure normally runs a little lower (such as a petite teenage girl), you don’t get enough “push” in the vessels in your legs, and your brain actually gets less blood than it needs for a moment or two. This causes the dizzy “woah” feeling and black spots in your eyes (since your eyes need blood flow too!). It makes sense you have headaches too, because headaches are caused by nerve irritation as a result of changes in blood flow to the brain.

You can confirm a diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension at home with a 2 minute test.

. lay face up on your back on the couch or bed for a minute, then stand up as quickly as you can. If you can make this dizziness/black spots happen when you stand up, congratulations! You have orthostatic hypotension!

The solution is to drink more water (to raise the blood volume in your body). Soda , tea, energy drinks, and coffee will make it worse, because caffeine is a diuretic (makes you pee more). So essentially, if you drink a cup of coffee, you end up less Hydrated than before.

Also, eat more salt. This does not mean eat potato chips or Chinese food. But adding a shake of salt to something healthy like broccoli or chicken, will also help. Water “clings” to salt, so a little more salt floating around in your vessels will raise your blood pressure slightly, to help with that “spike” of blood pressure when you move from a laying to standing position..

I am really positive you don’t need to go to the doctor because This is a super common thing that happens to older adults in their 70s and 80s. The solution for them? Sit up and stand up slower

PokeyBug · April 2018

Yeah, see a doctor. I was having similar episodes a few years ago, turned out to be a Vitamin C deficiency. Other vitamin deficiencies can cause those episodes, too. Or it could be allergies or a middle ear infection. Or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

PAV8888 · April 2018

Frequently_Fabulous wrote: »

I don’t think you need to see a doctor. This is classic orthostatic hypotension. The treatment is to drink more water and increase your salt intake.

Essentially, when you stand up, blood rushes to your feet/legs. Your blood pressure temporarily “spikes” to push the blood up to your chest and head. If you are dehydrated or your blood pressure normally runs a little lower (such as a petite teenage girl), you don’t get enough “push” in the vessels in your legs, and your brain actually gets less blood than it needs for a moment or two. This causes the dizzy “woah” feeling and black spots in your eyes (since your eyes need blood flow too!). It makes sense you have headaches too, because headaches are caused by nerve irritation as a result of changes in blood flow to the brain.

You can confirm a diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension at home with a 2 minute test. . lay face up on your back on the couch or bed for a minute, then stand up as quickly as you can. If you can make this dizziness/black spots happen when you stand up, congratulations! You have orthostatic hypotension!

The solution is to drink more water (to raise the blood volume in your body). Soda , tea, energy drinks, and coffee will make it worse, because caffeine is a diuretic (makes you pee more). So essentially, if you drink a cup of coffee, you end up less Hydrated than before.

Also, eat more salt. This does not mean eat potato chips or Chinese food. But adding a shake of salt to something healthy like broccoli or chicken, will also help. Water “clings” to salt, so a little more salt floating around in your vessels will raise your blood pressure slightly, to help with that “spike” of blood pressure when you move from a laying to standing position..

I am really positive you don’t need to go to the doctor because This is a super common thing that happens to older adults in their 70s and 80s. The solution for them? Sit up and stand up slower

You have her full history and you're sure about this, right?

Or might it still be OK for her to get checked out by her family doctor?

It is not like there are any other potential differential diagnoses... or are there?

https://online.epocrates.com/diseases/97211/Orthostatic-hypotension/Key-Highlights

orangegato · April 2018

Frequently_Fabulous wrote: »

I don’t think you need to see a doctor. This is classic orthostatic hypotension. The treatment is to drink more water and increase your salt intake.

Essentially, when you stand up, blood rushes to your feet/legs. Your blood pressure temporarily “spikes” to push the blood up to your chest and head. If you are dehydrated or your blood pressure normally runs a little lower (such as a petite teenage girl), you don’t get enough “push” in the vessels in your legs, and your brain actually gets less blood than it needs for a moment or two. This causes the dizzy “woah” feeling and black spots in your eyes (since your eyes need blood flow too!). It makes sense you have headaches too, because headaches are caused by nerve irritation as a result of changes in blood flow to the brain.

You can confirm a diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension at home with a 2 minute test. . lay face up on your back on the couch or bed for a minute, then stand up as quickly as you can. If you can make this dizziness/black spots happen when you stand up, congratulations! You have orthostatic hypotension!

The solution is to drink more water (to raise the blood volume in your body). Soda , tea, energy drinks, and coffee will make it worse, because caffeine is a diuretic (makes you pee more). So essentially, if you drink a cup of coffee, you end up less Hydrated than before.

Also, eat more salt. This does not mean eat potato chips or Chinese food. But adding a shake of salt to something healthy like broccoli or chicken, will also help. Water “clings” to salt, so a little more salt floating around in your vessels will raise your blood pressure slightly, to help with that “spike” of blood pressure when you move from a laying to standing position..

I am really positive you don’t need to go to the doctor because This is a super common thing that happens to older adults in their 70s and 80s. The solution for them? Sit up and stand up slower

My friend's mom in her 60s felt "dizzy" and by that she meant lightheaded. It started happening more often. After seeing a doctor and being worked up, it turned out that she had acquired a serious cardiac condition. She now has a pacemaker and avoided death or even a disabling stroke.

Frequently_Fabulous · April 2018

I think you all bring up valid points! However, I still haven’t changed my opinion that she doesn’t need to see a doctor, the same way I wouldn’t recommend seeing a doctor for a sprained ankle or one migraine or day of stomach pains.

I think the internet has a way of herding people towards rare and frightening scenarios (Dr google thinks it’s cancer!)

Common things are common. The reasons for dizziness in a girl in her (presumably) 20s are much different than the reason for dizziness in an older adult (let’s say in their 60s).

MichelleSilverleaf · April 2018

Frequently_Fabulous wrote: »

I think you all bring up valid points! However, I still haven’t changed my opinion that she doesn’t need to see a doctor, the same way I wouldn’t enforce seeing a doctor for a sprained ankle or stomach pains for one day. Common things are common and the reasons for dizziness in a girl in her (presumably) 20s are much different than the reason for dizziness in an older adult (let’s say a 60 year old).

All the more reason to see a doctor. Sprained ankles are one thing, dizziness is a whole other animal. And I really don't understand how someone can diagnose a complete stranger over the internet without so much as their medical history, and think they're 100% correct and can make certain statements like "oh you don't have to see a doctor, it's this!". Even those online doctor services can only do so much.

Chunkahlunkah · April 2018

You should see a doctor if for no other reason than to have this in your file and documented as a known condition.

I'd had those symptoms for a long time, finally told my dr when I was in my early 20's. They ran a lot of tests and ultimately concluded it was my low blood pressure. They advised me to drink a lot of water and consume more salt.

I also have allergies and frequent sinus infections, so dizziness is my norm.

Anyway, even though I agree with others that this is most likely a blood pressure issue (or sinus/ear infection), I think it's important that your dr is at least aware of it (and for your doc to have the opportunity to rule out other possibilities, if s/he determines that prudent).

Frequently_Fabulous · April 2018

I’m really interested to see if OP could reproduce her symptoms at home (from the laying down to standing test), strongly suggesting orthostatic hypotension, or if she can’t reproduce it, which means it’s likely something else and I’m wrong. *chin hands*

ccsernica · April 2018

Do not seek the advice of a bunch of strangers on the internet when it comes to your health. Yes, it might be something innocuous. We all hope it's that. But it might not be, and we can't tell from where we sit even if we were medical professionals.

orangegato · April 2018

I did not mean to imply that the OP has a sinister or serious medical condition.
But I also don't think anyone on the internet can say she does not.
The right thing is to get evaluated.

PokeyBug · April 2018

Frequently_Fabulous wrote: »

I am really positive you don’t need to go to the doctor because This is a super common thing that happens to older adults in their 70s and 80s. The solution for them? Sit up and stand up slower

Have you looked at her avatar? She's not exactly elderly. JS.

debrakgoogins · April 2018

Frequently_Fabulous wrote: »

I don’t think you need to see a doctor. This is classic orthostatic hypotension. The treatment is to drink more water and increase your salt intake.

Essentially, when you stand up, blood rushes to your feet/legs. Your blood pressure temporarily “spikes” to push the blood up to your chest and head. If you are dehydrated or your blood pressure normally runs a little lower (such as a petite teenage girl), you don’t get enough “push” in the vessels in your legs, and your brain actually gets less blood than it needs for a moment or two. This causes the dizzy “woah” feeling and black spots in your eyes (since your eyes need blood flow too!). It makes sense you have headaches too, because headaches are caused by nerve irritation as a result of changes in blood flow to the brain.

You can confirm a diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension at home with a 2 minute test. . lay face up on your back on the couch or bed for a minute, then stand up as quickly as you can. If you can make this dizziness/black spots happen when you stand up, congratulations! You have orthostatic hypotension!

The solution is to drink more water (to raise the blood volume in your body). Soda , tea, energy drinks, and coffee will make it worse, because caffeine is a diuretic (makes you pee more). So essentially, if you drink a cup of coffee, you end up less Hydrated than before.

Also, eat more salt. This does not mean eat potato chips or Chinese food. But adding a shake of salt to something healthy like broccoli or chicken, will also help. Water “clings” to salt, so a little more salt floating around in your vessels will raise your blood pressure slightly, to help with that “spike” of blood pressure when you move from a laying to standing position..

I am really positive you don’t need to go to the doctor because This is a super common thing that happens to older adults in their 70s and 80s. The solution for them? Sit up and stand up slower

May I ask what your degree is in? You are making a medical diagnosis with absolutely nothing to back it up. This is dangerous and you should sincerely see a doctor about your God complex syndrome (see what I did there - made an assumption based solely on your post with no background to back it up). The Mayo Clinic provides a list of accompanying symptoms that you should seek a doctors opinion for when you have dizziness. One of those is sudden or severe headache. The OP describes a throbbing headache.

OP, if you are feeling dizzy, see your doctor. It may be nothing (and I hope it's not) but it may be something serious and you should know for sure.

emmamcgarity · April 2018

I agree that it is classic orthostatic hypotension. And I agree that she needs to drink water to stay hydrated. There are a number of different underlying causes for orthostatc hypotension. I first experienced this in my early 20s and my doctor confirmed the diagnosis in his office after taking resting and standing blood pressures and ordering additional tests to make sure there wasn’t a contributing underlying condition causing it. I recommend she sees a doctor to confirm the same.

Off & On Headaches & dizziness!?

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