Why Does My Head Spin When I Stand Up?

The sensation of your head spinning is one symptom of dizziness, which can be caused by a variety of factors. If you experience dizziness upon standing, you may feel as if your head is floating, swimming, heavy or spinning. All of these symptoms reflect a condition within the brain that makes you feel discomfort and disoriented. Whereas some of these conditions are temporary and minor, others can be very serious.

Vertigo

• Vertigo is dizziness or sudden faintness associated with sudden movement, such as standing up. This is a blanket term used to describe a group of illnesses and diseases that can cause a sudden loss of balance. Stemming from issues with the inner ear and vestibular system, vertigo reflects a problem with the nerves and structures of the brain. It can make your head feel like it's spinning, as well as induce nausea and vomiting. It may also be indicative of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), which is a problem with the inner ear that results in short-term feelings of the room spinning.

Common Conditions

• Whereas vertigo reflects a series of problems with the brain, dizziness may also be caused by minor behavior patterns, which can be easily corrected. Sitting in a cramped position can force the heart to exert extra effort to pump blood to the brain. When you stand after sitting for a long time, a sudden rush of blood may enter the brain and cause dizziness. This is a normal bodily reaction, and you may take it as a sign to sit in ways that encourage better circulation.

Severe Problems

• The sensation that your head is spinning can be reflective of a very serious problem, such as a stroke, heart attack or severe drop in blood pressure. In some cases, medications can cause a severe drop in blood pressure that produces dizziness. If you think that one of these conditions could be causing your dizziness, then you should consult a doctor immediately. Typically, the dizziness will be accompanied by chest pain.

Other Factors

• There are other lesser-known factors that can cause dizziness. Allergies, the flu, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, rapid breathing, anxiety, stress, use of tobacco or illegal drugs can all cause dizziness upon standing. In addition, massive bleeding can cause dizziness because your heart is unable to pump enough blood to your brain. The best thing to do, when you feel lightheaded, is to sit or lie down immediately and put your head at a level lower than your heart to increase blood flow.