We often see patients for dizziness. Many of these patients do not have an ear etiology for their dizziness given principal complaint of light-headedness, especially with standing/sitting up from a laying down position. In this scenario, a blood pressure issue is the more likely cause. Why? Because when you get up from a laying down position, gravity pulls the blood down and away from your head resulting in a transient lack of adequate blood-flow to the brain resulting in light-headedness... and even a fainting spell if severe enough.
Normally, the body is able to compensate for such position changes quickly, but when it doesn't, watch out... Light-headed dizziness or fainting/blacking out will occur.
The best test to evaluate this problem is a tilt-table test. Check out the video to see how this test is performed. Be aware that not all hospitals offer this type of test.
Normally, the body is able to compensate for such position changes quickly, but when it doesn't, watch out... Light-headed dizziness or fainting/blacking out will occur.
The best test to evaluate this problem is a tilt-table test. Check out the video to see how this test is performed. Be aware that not all hospitals offer this type of test.
