Are You Sick?

When to Call for Dizziness

Home Care Advice for Dizziness

Dizziness from Sudden or Prolonged Standing

1. What You Should Know:
   • Standing up quickly is the most common cause of dizziness. This type of dizziness only lasts a short time. Getting out of bed or a chair is when it usually happens.
   • Prolonged standing in one place is another common cause.
   • Not drinking enough fluids or not eating enough salt always makes it worse.
   • Don't do anything that could be dangerous while you are dizzy, like driving, climbing a ladder, using heavy machinery or even going up or down stairs.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Standing - Pump Legs:
   • In the mornings, sit up for a few minutes before you stand up.
   • This will help your blood flow stay steady and adjust before you stand up.
   • With prolonged standing, contract and relax your leg muscles. Reason: this helps pump the blood back to the heart.
   • If you feel dizzy, sit down or lie down until it passes.
   • Move slowly and carefully.
3. Salt - Increase Intake:
   • Most people with this type of dizziness (due to standing) don't get enough salt.
   • Try to eat some salty foods (potato chips or pretzels) every day.
4. Fluids - Drink More:
   • Drink several glasses of water, fruit juice or other clear fluids.
   • This will improve your fluid status and blood sugar.
   • If the weather is hot, make sure the fluids are cold.
5. Lie Down:
   • Lie down with feet up for 1 hour.
   • Reason: this will increase blood flow to the brain.
   • Don't do anything that could be dangerous while you are dizzy, like driving, climbing a ladder, using heavy machinery or even going up or down stairs.
6. Prevention:
   • Extra water and salty foods during sports or hot weather
   • Avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs
   • Regular mealtimes and snacks
   • Get enough sleep and rest
   • Don’t bend down or stand up suddenly
7. What to Expect:
   • With treatment, the dizziness usually goes away in 1 to 2 hours.
8. Call Your Doctor If:
   • After 2 hours of rest and fluids, you still feel dizzy
   • You pass out (faint)
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

Dizziness from Poor Fluid Intake

1. What You Should Know:
   • Not drinking enough fluids and being a little dehydrated probably caused the dizziness.
   • It should go away with drinking fluids and resting in a cool place.
   • This is always made worse during hot weather or if you have a fever. Too much sun exposure can also increase the body's need for fluid.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Fluids - Drink More:
   • Drink several glasses of water, fruit juice or other clear fluids.
   • This will improve your fluid status and blood sugar.
   • If the weather is hot, make sure the fluids are cold.
3. Cool Off:
   • If the weather is hot, use a cold pack or washcloth to the forehead.
   • Taking a cool shower or bath will help even more.
4. Lie Down:
   • Lie down with feet up for 1 hour.
   • Reason: this will increase blood flow to the brain.
   • Don't do anything that could be dangerous while you are dizzy, like driving, climbing a ladder, using heavy machinery or even going up or down stairs.
5. Prevention:
   • Extra water and salty foods during sports or hot weather
   • Regular mealtimes and snacks
   • Enough sleep and rest
6. What to Expect:
   • With treatment, the dizziness usually goes away in 1 to 2 hours.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • After 2 hours of rest and fluids, you still feel dizzy
   • You pass out (faint)
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

Dizziness from Unknown Cause

1. What You Should Know:
   • Dizziness that goes away is a harmless symptom.
   • It's usually due to not drinking enough water during sports or hot weather.
   • It can also be caused by skipping a meal or too much sun.
   • Sometimes, it's part of a viral illness.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Lie Down:
   • Lie down with feet up for 1 hour.
   • Reason: this will increase blood flow to the brain.
   • Don't do anything that could be dangerous while you are dizzy, like driving, climbing a ladder, using heavy machinery or even going up or down stairs.
3. Fluids - Drink More:
   • Drink several glasses of water, fruit juice or other clear fluids.
   • This will improve your fluid status and blood sugar.
   • If the weather is hot, make sure the fluids are cold.
4. Cool Off:
   • If the weather is hot, use a cold pack or washcloth to the forehead.
   • Taking a cool shower or bath will help even more.
5. Prevention:
   • Extra water and salty foods during sports or hot weather
   • Avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs
   • Regular mealtimes and snacks
   • Get enough sleep and rest
   • Don’t bend down or stand up suddenly
6. What to Expect:
   • With treatment, the dizziness usually goes away in 1 to 2 hours.
   • Mild dizziness with a viral illness may last 1 or 2 days.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • After 2 hours of rest and fluids, still feeling dizzy
   • Mild dizziness lasts over 3 days
   • You pass out (faint)
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.