", Unlock this expert answer by supporting wikiHow. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Support wikiHow by Light-headedness usually goes away or gets better when you lie down. "It was very clear and understandable/easy to read. If you are over the age of 65 years, you are more likely to have a medical condition or take medications that causes lightheadedness. Use night-lights to prevent your brain from becoming disoriented in the dark. Take a moment to relax and breathe before slowly standing up. Tuck away any electrical wires which you might be in danger of tripping over during dizzy spells. Turn your head 90 degrees toward the unaffected ear. Get plenty of rest, especially if you have a … In this case, 85% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Bright light may cause you to feel disoriented and make the dizziness worse. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. By using our site, you agree to our. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Master using Zoom and feel more confident online. lie down until dizziness passes, then get up slowly move slowly and carefully get plenty of rest drink plenty of fluids, especially water Enter X578 in the search box to learn more about "Light-Headedness or Faintness: Care Instructions". If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. ", "I was just feeling light headed and this helped. Next stop, "From the antibiotics I'm taking for neck swelling I be feeling lightheaded when I wake in the morning. These may include: Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body. ", "wikiHow's articles are great, please continue on delivering the best. Master's Degree, Nursing, University of Tennessee Knoxville. Lying down will achieve the same result. Once the worst of the dizziness passes, hydrate with water or energy drinks and eat a banana. Feeling woozy, lightheaded, or a little faint is a common complaint among older adults. ", "Have lots of water, have a rest and relax.". First you should sit up slowly in bed, then put your feet on the floor. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Can hunger cause you to become light headed? Hyperthermia, or overheating, and dehydration can make you feel lightheaded. Try to regain some of your carbon dioxide by slowing down your breathing rate. You should drink at least 10 glasses of liquid a day to prevent dehydration. % of people told us that this article helped them. Then, breathe slowly and deeply to make sure you’re getting enough oxygen and to help steady your heart rate. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. If you are experiencing dizziness, refrain from any activities which might put your safety or the safety of others in danger, for example, climbing a ladder, operating machinery or driving a car. Keep a log of the times you feel lightheaded to share with your doctor. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Additionally, make sure that you stay hydrated and are eating regular, healthy meals to maintain normal blood sugar. Try breathing to a count to help you focus on stabilizing your oxygen levels and pulse. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. In some cases, not having enough sodium in your diet can cause lightheadedness. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt into a glass of water and this may help regulate your circulation and relieve your lightheadedness. It often is caused by a short-lasting drop in blood pressure and blood flow to your head that occurs when you get up too quickly from a seated or lying position. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. This will help to get your circulation going and minimize light-headedness. ", "The sitting up with head in between my legs helped a lot. If you’ve experienced past episodes of lightheadedness, you're more likely to get them in the future. Sit down in a well vented place like outside or near a window and drink cold water. Thanks! ", "I will try some of these methods that I haven't before. You should now be looking at the floor. Panicking may cause your lightheadedness to get worse. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Light-headedness usually is not caused by a serious problem. ", "Using the ginger. Your doctor will ask you questions about the symptoms of lightheadedness you have as well as about any medical conditions you have and medications you take. Your doctor may also prescribe to help prevent attacks or relieve nausea. Thanks. so much for this article. Is it possible that my dizziness is from being in a crowded area? ", "It really helped with the dizziness coming to my head. Also, I am going to purchase Dramamine. Try to take slow, controlled breaths that last about 15 seconds, and hold your breath for a couple of seconds (at most) between the inhalation and exhalation. I drank 6 glasses of water (2 glasses per hour) and the dizziness, "I used apple cider vinegar mixed with honey. Helpful 15 Not Helpful 0 Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. You may also get a prescription for meclizine (Antivert), diazepam (Valium), or dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) to help immediately alleviate nausea and lightheadedness. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Light-headedness is a feeling that you are about to faint or "pass out." Your light-headedness gets worse or does not get better with home care. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Dizziness may be a symptom of: An inner ear condition, such as labyrinthitis, BPPV or Meniere's disease. This article was medically reviewed by Ronn Callada, RN, MS. Ronn Callada, ANP, RN is a Nurse Practitioner at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. ", "Great place for information!! You may also be dehydrated or not eating properly. This article has been viewed 268,101 times. Try sitting or lying down in a dark room, or close your eyes for a minute or two. Keeping your home well lit and free of hazards that might cause you to trip or fall will also help you avoid serious injury. As soon as you begin to feel dizzy, sit down and put your head between your legs. When you're getting up in the morning, make sure to get up in stages. You have symptoms of a heart attack. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. A heart rhythm problem, such as atrial fibrillation. Remove as many clothes as possible to keep yourself cool and from losing any more fluids. Lots of good ideas. I had not thought about that. Chewing on a small slice of fresh ginger root. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,755,303 times. Figure out your dizziness triggers and you should be able to head them off in advance. Ronn is also part of the adjunct faculty at New York University in nursing. % of people told us that this article helped them. Examples of iron-rich foods are red and organ meats such as beef and liver, spinach, and dried beans. If you're sitting down, try putting your head between your legs. Can I feel lightheaded due to lack of sleep? After lying down, sit up slowly and remain sitting for 1 to 2 minutes before slowly standing up. If you are not laying down and are able, consider putting your head on or between your knees. ", "It helped me understand more about light-headed and dizzyness. But if you’re feeling lightheaded? Drink 2 US quarts (2,000 ml) or 2 liters of cool liquids every 2 to 4 hours to relieve dehydration and overheating. Although more popular as an antihistamine in treating rashes and itches, diphenhydramine is commonly used in treating motion sickness, and is readily available. Ronn is also part of the adjunct faculty at New York University in nursing. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). ", "I was just feeling light headed and this helped. Approved. References Your doctor may recommend between 12.5 to 25 mg taken orally (in pill form) or rectally (as a suppository) 3 to 4 times per day.