Some people feel dizzy in the morning. In this article, I will discuss a few possible reasons for dizziness in the morning and what to do.
Possible Reasons for Dizziness in the Morning
Reason 1: BPPV
BPPV is the most common vestibular cause of dizziness and vertigo. People with BPPV usually feel worse in the morning. Symptoms can vary from dizziness to vertigo, nausea and imbalance.
People with BPPV usually have eye fluttering or nystagmus when the vertigo is activated by lying down, rolling over bed, or getting up out of bed. However, symptomatic BPPV can occur without spinning and without any nystagmus. This type of BPPV is also now called Type 2 BPPV.
As the day goes on, people with BPPV usually feel better and may even feel normal, only to feel dizzy again the next morning.
What to Do
Consult with a vestibular physical therapist or vertigo doctor to get assessed and treated for any BPPV.
Reason 2: Upper Cervical Issues
Some people feel dizzy in the morning because of their neck issues. The way you’re sleeping or your pillow may not be right.
What to Do About Upper Cervical Issues
You may need a new pillow. Side sleeping and sleeping on your back require different pillows. You may need to stop sleeping on your stomach. That can cause dizziness in the morning.
You can consult with an orthopedic provider for upper cervical care if you have pain or neck tension in the morning, along with dizziness.
Learn more about upper cervical dizziness
Reason 3: TMJ Issues
Problems with your jaw joint or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) can cause dizziness in the morning. This is similar to the neck, where an orthopedic problem can cause neurological symptoms.
What to Do about TMJ
You can ask your dentist if your teeth show signs of clenching or grinding at night, which is called bruxism. If needed, you can get a night guard.
You can consult a TMJ specialist or orthodontist if needed. Some patients can release tension in their TMJ-related muscles. You can also do some orthopedic physical therapy for the muscles of the jaw joint.
Reason 4: Low Blood Sugar
If your blood sugar is not properly managed, you may wake up with extremely low blood sugar. Low blood sugar can cause you to feel dizzy in the morning.
What to Do About Low Blood Sugar
You should talk to your doctor about this possibility. Your doctor may order fasting blood work to check how low your blood sugar drops overnight. If something unusual shows up on the results of your fasting blood sugar test, your doctor will advise you on what to do.
Reason 5: Dehydration
When we breathe at night, we lose a lot of water. If you are already dehydrated when you go to bed, it could get worse overnight.
What to Do About Dehydration
Talk to your doctor about how much water you should try to drink each day. That amount varies from person to person, based on body size, weather, and activity level. Try to drink the recommended amount of water by dinner time each day to prevent dehydration.
Reason 6: Medication Side Effects
It’s possible that a medication you’re taking at night is causing you to feel dizzy in the morning. If so, you may have noticed the dizziness in the morning started within two weeks of taking a new medication before bed.
What to Do About Side Effects of Medication
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms of dizziness in the morning. Ask them to check if this could be a medication side effect or a drug interaction.
If so, they may adjust your prescription. In general, you should always take medication as prescribed.
Reason 7: Sleep Apnea
Many patients have obstructive sleep apnea but they are not aware of it. Sleep apnea can cause you to feel tired and dizzy in the morning.
What to Do About Sleep Apnea
Talk to your doctor about getting a sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea. Certain doctors specialize in sleep disorders, so you may be referred to a specialist. If you are eventually diagnosed with sleep apnea, you will most likely be prescribed a CPAP machine to use at night. That can reduce your fatigue and dizziness in the morning
I hope this article has been helpful to learn seven possible reasons that you might feel dizzy in the morning and what to do.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.
