Break out the pillows and give yourself a good lie-down. Really. It’s what’s recommended. Also, if there’s no bed handy, you can put your head between your knees (or toward that general area if you’re not that flexible) which will also help.
Today, as I was trying to work on school stuff and not die of the plague, I got incredibly dizzy. I managed to get home in one piece, and now that I am supine and semi-coherent, what better time to post about dizziness, light-headedness and various causes and cures? At this juncture, it’s taking me about twice as long to write half as well as usual, so pardon any typos and I’ll try and make sure my html tags are closed.
Sensation(s): a sensation of turning round or whirling; a swaying sensation, or a feeling of weakness, faintness, light-headedness or unsteadiness; feelings of unreality, faints, blackouts; etc.
Many (both mental and physical) Causes of Dizziness and Light-headedness:
- Shock
- Low blood sugar
- Inner-ear issues
- Anemia
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- And on and on…
Some quick help for non-serious cases:
Drink plenty of fluids. If you become dehydrated, your blood pressure will drop and you might feel light-headed.
Don’t forget to eat regularly. Skipping meals can result in low blood sugar, a common cause of light-headedness…
Indulge your sweet tooth. If you suspect your light-headedness is caused by low blood sugar, then try eating a piece of candy or chocolate or drinking a glass of orange juice….
Cool off. Hot, humid days can drain the body of fluids and make you feel light-headed. “My advice in that situation is to get into an air-conditioned room and drink at least a couple of glasses of water, and you’ll probably feel a lot better very quickly,” Dr. Amedee says. [I would caution against taking this approach at face value, actually. Although you should get out of the sun if you’re feeling unwell, it seems like going from very hot to very cold would be shocking to your system. If anything, keep the a/c on low and have room-temperature water.]
Reel in your drugs. Some drugs, particularly those used to treat high blood pressure, can cause light-headedness. Ask your doctor to review your medications with you.
Bow your head. If you feel light-headed, lie down or lower your head between your legs. That will increase blood flow to your brain and heart and reduce your chances of fainting, doctors say.
Brown-bag it. Often, hyperventilation causes light-headedness because overbreathing decreases the amount of oxygen and increases levels of carbon dioxide in your body. If you are hyperventilating, try holding your breath for several seconds or place a paper bag over your nose and mouth and take slow, deep breaths until the light-headedness is gone.
Sources: BUPA & From the Rodale book, Symptoms, Their Causes & Cures
In Case of Emergency, Break Glass 