Locations:
Search IconSearch

6 Reasons Why You Wake Up Dizzy

Mornings can be hard enough without feeling dizzy, too

A dizzy person sits up in bed and braces their head for relief.

Getting out of bed can be enough of a struggle. Waking up dizzy only makes it harder. “Dizziness is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care, but there could be many causes,” says audiologist Julie Honaker, PhD. “As we get older, we’re more susceptible to medical conditions and blood pressure issues that cause morning dizziness.”

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

If you wake up dizzy once in a while, you probably don’t need to worry. Most people have some occasional dizziness in the morning. But maybe you’re regularly waking up dizzy. Common causes of feeling dizzy after waking up include:

  • Low blood pressure.
  • Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
  • Dehydration.
  • Medication.
  • Sleep apnea.
  • Heart failure.

Dr. Honaker explains the connection between these causes and those wobbly feelings, plus what you can do to find relief.

What is dizziness?

Dizziness is subjective, says Dr. Honaker. How you experience dizziness may be different from someone else. “People who experience lightheadedness, vertigo or imbalance may describe it as dizziness. But it really is its own definition,” she explains. “The best way to describe dizziness is a feeling of impaired or disturbed spatial orientation relative to your surroundings.”

In other words, dizziness is feeling funny or weird in the space around you. Vertigo is feeling like you’re spinning or the world around you is spinning with or without your head and body moving.

Why am I dizzy when I wake up?

Dr. Honaker lists the six most common reasons why you may experience dizziness when waking up:

1. Low blood pressure

Sleeping on your back, belly or side can affect your blood pressure first thing in the morning. “Your blood tends to pool in your trunk when you lay down. When you get up, the blood then heads to your legs and abdomen, causing a drop in blood pressure,” explains Dr. Honaker. “Normally, the body can restore your blood pressure quickly. But when it happens too sluggishly, it’s called orthostatic hypotension, which can make you feel dizzy.”

Advertisement

Low blood pressure — also known as orthostatic hypotension or postural hypotension — is more common in older adults. It may also occur if you:

  • Take some types of medications (like some antidepressants or diuretics).
  • Have certain health conditions, such as heart problems or nervous system disorders.

But Dr. Honaker says it’s not a cause for alarm. “While orthostatic hypotension can cause uncomfortable feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness when waking up, it’s only temporary. It should last just a few minutes, but it is good to talk to a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing these sensations on a regular basis.”

2. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

This condition can cause dizziness when you wake up. BPPV is an inner ear problem. Your inner ear balance (vestibular) system has five sensory organs in each ear:

  • Three semicircular canals: Fluid fills each of these canals. When your head moves, the fluid moves, too. Your brain then knows your head’s position and how to stay balanced.
  • Two otolith organs: These organs contain dense particles called otoconia. Otoconia are crystals that help you sense gravity changes and maintain balance. These crystals can break off from the otolith organs and travel into other parts of your ear, including the semicircular canals. This movement can cause vertigo.

“The feeling typically lasts for a few seconds to a minute. It calms down as the crystals settle in another part of the ear. People with BPPV may also notice dizziness when they first get into or roll over in bed,” Dr. Honaker notes. “BPPV can cause other debilitating symptoms, including nausea and vomiting and trouble walking straight.”

If you experience these symptoms, Dr. Honaker recommends talking to your healthcare provider.

“Specialists such as audiologists and physical therapists can diagnose this condition,” says Dr. Honaker. “They can also help you do head and body movements that shift the crystals back to where they belong.”

3. Dehydration

When you don’t drink enough fluids, your blood volume decreases — along with your blood pressure. Low blood pressure means your blood circulates to your brain slower, causing you to feel dizzy when you wake up.

But the antidote is simple. “It can take time to rehydrate the body, so drink more and eat well throughout the day. If you’re extra dehydrated, an IV with electrolytes may also help,” says Dr. Honaker. “If you’re older, choose a time to stop drinking before bed. Then, you won’t have to get up as much during the night to use the bathroom.”

4. Medication

Some medications can cause dizziness after waking up due to their effect on blood pressure or interactions with other medications. These medications include:

Advertisement

“If you think your medication is causing your dizziness, your primary care provider should be your home base,” says Dr. Honaker. “Your provider can help you figure out if any medications are responsible for your symptoms.”

But don’t just stop taking your medications. See your healthcare provider to discuss the next steps.

5. Sleep apnea

If you have sleep apnea, you don’t breathe consistently during sleep. Sleep apnea can prevent your blood from getting enough oxygen, leading to dizziness, lightheadedness or feeling like you could pass out.

“Sleep apnea can also cascade to other problems such as headaches, which can also cause dizziness,” adds Dr. Honaker.

6. Heart failure

When you have heart failure, your heart can’t pump enough blood for your body’s needs. This problem can cause blood pressure issues, which may lead to dizziness when you change positions.

“There’s a known connection between heart failure, imbalance problems and increased falling risk,” says Dr. Honaker. “People with cardiovascular issues are more susceptible to feeling dizzy and having balance problems.”

Advertisement

What to do if you wake up with dizziness

If you experience dizziness when you wake up, your healthcare provider should be your first stop.

“Your provider can check how your blood pressure responds to changes in position,” says Dr. Honaker. “They can also rule out other problems such as heart issues.”

Experiencing dizziness after waking up also increases your fall risk. To help prevent falls, Dr. Honaker advises getting your sea legs before walking or turning after you get up.

“Stand up slowly and pause,” says Dr. Honaker. “Make sure you have your bearings and that you don’t have any symptoms. After you do this self-check, you should be good to go.”

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Oversized temperature guage in front of globe, with mosquitos and clouds around
December 5, 2024/Primary Care
How Does Climate Change Affect Your Health?

Climate change can strain your heart, cause illnesses and make it difficult to breathe, but you can take steps to protect the planet and your health

Hands holding two different kinds of pain medications separated by a white line
November 29, 2024/Primary Care
Can You Take Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Together?

You can alternate these OTCs to help with pain management and fever reduction

Doctor in a white coat holding a clipboard in front of a patient on an operating table with a surgical team surrounding them
November 27, 2024/Primary Care
How Accurate Are Medical TV Shows?

They’re fun to watch, but medical TV shows are often more hype than reality — and you shouldn’t rely on them for factual medical information

Child imagining being afraid of getting a shot, and then being afraid while actually getting a shot by a healthcare provider
November 19, 2024/Primary Care
What’s the Nocebo Effect? Examples and Effects on Your Health

The nocebo effect is a phenomenon where expectations of negative outcomes may influence the results

Female asleep in bed in darkened bedroom, red alarm clock on table
November 15, 2024/Sleep
Why Women Need To Sleep More Than Men

Changing hormones, mental health issues and a higher risk for sleep disorders can all impact women’s sleep needs

Person with eyes closed, inhaling on an asthma inhaler
November 12, 2024/Lung
Why Is My Asthma Worse at Night?

Nighttime asthma attacks can be due to acid reflux, allergens and hormonal changes, but treatment can help prevent them

Red and irritated skin on the armpit of a person with their arm raised
November 7, 2024/Primary Care
How To Prevent Chafing

Irritation from skin rubbing against skin or clothes can affect your whole body, but powders, creams and even the right underwear can help protect you

Person holding to-go coffee cup in one hand and dog leash in the other, walking dog in park, in autumn, leaves falling
November 5, 2024/Sleep
Feeling Tired? Here’s How To Stay Awake

Drink some water, take a little walk, step away from your computer and chat with a coworker, or even your toddler, to help ward off daytime sleepiness

Trending Topics

Person touching aching ear, with home remedies floating around
Home Remedies for an Ear Infection: What To Try and What To Avoid

Not all ear infections need antibiotics — cold and warm compresses and changing up your sleep position can help

Infographic of foods high in iron, including shrimp, oysters, peas, cream of wheat, prunes, eggs, broccoli, beef and chicken
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Person squeezing half a lemon into a glass of water
Is Starting Your Day With Lemon Water Healthy?

A glass of lemon water in the morning can help with digestion and boost vitamin C levels, and may even help get you into a better routine

Ad