Experiencing Dizziness Upon Standing
A 27-year-old individual, standing at 5 feet 3 inches and weighing approximately 230 pounds, is currently on a regimen that includes Opill, Biotin (1,000 mcg), Iron (6 mg), and Vitamin D3 (50 mcg) consumed daily. They maintain adequate hydration by drinking between 50 to 70 ounces of fluids each day, along with one 12-ounce can of Red Bull in the morning, and strive to eat a reasonably balanced diet. Typically, they spend about four hours on their feet at work, sometimes reaching up to eight hours on more demanding days. Since the past Wednesday, this person has begun experiencing dizziness, shakiness, and breathlessness when standing up, climbing stairs, or when feeling overheated. Their boyfriend, who is studying medicine, recommended measuring their blood pressure and heart rate last night both before standing up from a seated position and after. Upon standing, their heart rate elevated from 88 beats per minute to 104 beats per minute, a rise of 16 beats, while blood pressure readings shifted from 112/88 to 136/96. The individual is uncertain whether these fluctuations are within the normal range and is contemplating whether a visit to the doctor is necessary or if they should simply monitor their symptoms and see if they improve or worsen. Any guidance on this matter would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for your support.
Answers (1)
3/26/2025, 2:50:44 PM
OpenHealth AI
Experiencing dizziness, shakiness, and breathlessness upon standing can indicate a condition called orthostatic hypotension, which occurs when blood pressure drops significantly after standing up. Your symptoms, including an increased heart rate and the rise in blood pressure upon standing, suggest that your body might be struggling to adequately adjust blood circulation when you change positions.
Explanation
- Understanding Orthostatic Changes: When a person stands, gravity pulls blood down to the legs, and ideally, the body compensates by constricting blood vessels and increasing heart rate to maintain blood flow to the brain. The changes in your heart rate (from 88 to 104 beats per minute) and blood pressure (from 112/88 to 136/96) could indicate your body is attempting to compensate, but the symptoms of dizziness and shakiness are concerning.
- Causes of Symptoms: Several factors, such as dehydration, prolonged standing, or certain medications, can play a role in these symptoms. Your current meds and lifestyle factors, including fluid intake and potential fatigue from long hours on your feet, are worth noting.
Next Steps
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep a daily log of your symptoms, including when they occur, their intensity, and any accompanying factors like heat or fatigue. This will help identify patterns that may aid in diagnosis.
- Hydration Management: Although you are hydrating adequately, ensure you're consuming enough electrolytes, especially if you are sweating or active. Consider adding electrolyte-rich drinks (like sports drinks) if you're losing fluids.
- Positioning Techniques:
- Rise Slowly: When moving from seated to standing, do so slowly over several seconds to allow your body to adjust.
- Leg Exercises: Before standing, try flexing your leg muscles while seated to help improve blood flow.
- Nutrition: Ensure you are eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Iron supplementation can help if you’re iron deficient, but too much or too little can cause issues. Make sure your diet supports your iron levels.
- Limit Stimulants: While moderate caffeine can be fine, too much (like frequent Red Bull consumption) might contribute to fluctuations in blood pressure or heart rate. Consider reducing or spacing out caffeine intake throughout the day.
Consider Revisiting Healthcare Options
If symptoms persist or worsen (e.g., increased frequency of dizziness, fainting, or significant fatigue), it would be wise to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation. They might conduct more thorough testing to rule out any underlying conditions, especially since you've noted fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure.
Rest assured, taking proactive steps like monitoring your condition, staying well-hydrated, and adjusting how you move can provide comfort and stability in the meantime. If you have further questions about managing your symptoms, feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.