Heaviness in head after waking up and feeling dizzy - #11665
Yesterday, after lying down for a while, I sat up and immediately felt very dizzy and like my head was heavy. A few moments later, I started shaking and shivering, and my heart began pounding really fast. That episode lasted for about 15 minutes. Even after the shaking stopped, the dizziness continued for almost an hour. I didn’t faint, but I felt very unsteady and drained. This is the first time it has happened. My boyfriend was with me and noticed I was shaking while he held me.
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Doctors’ responses
Hello dear See dizziness or weakness can be due to either low bp or any excess physical exertion At your age even hormonal fluctuations occur So for exact confirmation kindly get below tests done Bp evaluation Serum ferritin Serum tsh Hb Lft Rft Esr Please share the details for confirmation. Kindly don’t take any medications without consulting the concerned doctor Regards
Your episode could be due to a benign cause like sudden BP drop or anxiety, but since it was intense with shaking and rapid heart rate, you should not ignore it. Please consult a doctor soon for proper evaluation and to rule out heart or neurological issues
Hi soumya, I can see your issue here. See dizziness after waking up and standing or sitting instantly from lying position may cause similar symptoms which is most likely in your case and I hope so this should be the case since it is not that serious. The other causes may include Cardiac arrhythmias, hypoglycemia, neurological causes but all these appear less likely. What you should be doing? So to answer this first of all don’t panic, if similar episode occurs in future then visit your physician. You’ll have to get these tests done, ECG, blood pressure monitoring for orthostatic hypotension, blood sugar testing and hemogram electrolyte and thyroid evaluation. You should visit the emergency department if you faint or near faint, chest pain, shortness of breath,limb weakness or speech difficulty. Rest assured you’ll be alright. Open to further questions.
Hello Soumya, I understand this might be disturbing. Since this is your first episode, it is important to rule out both neurological and cardiac causes, as well as anxiety-related episodes. Here is my advise for you -
1. Hydrate well, avoid sudden changes in posture.
2. Get these tests done to find out the reason for your issue - CBC, Thyroid Profile, HbA1C, ECG, BP monitoring. If recurrent → ENT evaluation for vertigo & Neuro exam. After the test reports, it is advised to do a physical consult with a PHYSICIAN.
Feel free to reach out again.
Regards, Dr. Nirav Jain MBBS, DNB D.Fam.Med
Based on your description, the symptoms of dizziness, heaviness in the head, shaking, shivering, a racing heart, along with the overall unsteadiness could indicate several potential causes. One possibility is orthostatic hypotension, where blood pressure drops when you stand up from a lying position, leading to dizziness and sometimes palpitations or shaking. Dehydration, changes in medications, or even standing up too quickly can contribute to this condition. Another potential cause could be an anxiety or panic attack, where some individuals experience feelings of intense fear, shaking, and rapid heartbeat. It’s important to consider your overall heart health as well. Conditions like arrhythmias can cause similar symptoms, so monitoring these events could be useful in pinpointing an underlying issue. To manage such episodes, try standing up more slowly, ensuring you’re well-hydrated, and noting any patterns or potential triggers. If this reoccurs, it may be worth keeping a log and consulting a healthcare provider for further assessment. If you experience these symptoms again and they persist or worsen, seek medical attention promptly, particularly if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting. For now, consider maintaining an adequate intake of water, checking your posture, avoid sudden movements, and observe for any more episodes. It’s crucial to follow up with a doctor if any symptoms persist, recur, or if you have significant concerns, especially with persistent or increasing heart palpitations.
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