What causes dizziness upon waking up in the morning?
Apr 20, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Jun
Introduction
Dizziness upon waking in the morning may be caused by physiological or pathological factors, such as hypoglycemia or lumbar disc herniation. Treatment should be based on the underlying cause. For instance, prolonged熬夜 (staying up late), short sleep duration, and insufficient rest for the brain may lead to transient cerebral ischemia and hypoxia upon waking, resulting in physiological dizziness.
Dizziness upon waking in the morning may be caused by physiological factors or pathological conditions, such as hypoglycemia or lumbar disc herniation. Treatment should be based on the underlying cause. Specific analyses are as follows:
I. Physiological Factors
Dizziness may result from prolonged熬夜 (staying up late), short sleep duration, and insufficient rest for the brain, leading to transient cerebral ischemia and hypoxia upon waking, which causes physiological dizziness.
II. Pathological Factors
1. Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia may occur due to regularly consuming nutritionally inadequate food or excessive dieting. This can overstimulate the sympathetic nervous system, impair cerebral blood circulation, and lead to insufficient cerebral perfusion. Symptoms may also include palpitations and sweating.
2. Lumbar Disc Herniation
In individuals with pre-existing lumbar disc herniation, excessive physical fatigue, maintaining the same sleeping posture for prolonged periods, or exposure to cold may trigger symptom flare-ups. Nerve compression in affected areas may impair cerebral blood supply, resulting in dizziness. Additional symptoms may include neck pain and restricted movement.
Besides the common causes mentioned above, dizziness may also be associated with other conditions such as hypotension or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (ear stone syndrome).
