Posted by Racer on June 5, 2004, at 9:30:59
In reply to reason for getting light headed when standing up?, posted by rainee on June 5, 2004, at 8:49:42
It means that your bloodpressure drops when you change position. Standing up more slowly may help, according the the literature, but your mileage may vary.
Depending on how bad it gets, though, you doctor can do a couple of simple tests -- basically taking your BP in a few different postures to see how and when it changes -- and might want to adjust your blood pressure meds. I did read somewhere that adding salt to your diet might help, but since it might not be all that good for you, maybe it's worth asking your doctor, first.
If you feel the lightheadedness coming on, kinda roll to an upright position. Stand up but keep your head down a bit, then raise your head once you're all the way up. Or, try kinda 'marching' your legs before getting up. Dunno if either of those will help, but they're easy enough to do, and really might help.
Good luck, having experienced it, it really is distressing.
poster:Racer
thread:353990
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040602/msgs/353997.html