What Causes Dizziness When Bending Over & How To Manage It?

Dizziness is quite a common complaint of around 5% of the total population in the United States resulting in an emergency room visit or a physician consultation. Depending on the history of the patient, dizziness can be categorized into four types namely, lightheadedness, vertigo, disequilibrium, and presyncope. There are various causes that are responsible for causing any or all of these types of dizziness. Benign paroxysmal position vertigo is the most common cause of vertigo while vestibular neuritis and Meniere disease are also some of the causes of vertigo.^[1,2,3]

There are a variety of medications that have presyncope as a side effect profile. Disequilibrium can be caused by medical conditions like Parkinson disease and diabetic neuropathy. Lightheadedness can be caused by anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. However, majority of the causes of dizziness are not serious and can be easily dealt with, especially when it is caused when bending over.^{[1, 2, 3]}

However, in some cases it may require medical consultation. This is especially when the individual has dizziness that is severe enough to interfere with activities of daily living and impacts the quality of life significantly. Dizziness with bending over according to studies is quite common in people above the age of 60 and is seen more in females than in males.^{[1, 2, 3]} The article below highlights some of the causes and ways to manage dizziness when bending over.

Some of the causes for Dizziness When Bending Over include:

1. Circulation Problems: Circulation refers to how well the blood is flowing in the body. Blood carries oxygen and smooth flow of blood is necessary for all the organs to get adequate oxygen for functioning, especially the brain. If there are problems with circulation, then the organs including the brain may not get sufficient oxygen. This results in the person having Dizziness When Bending Over.^[3] Dizziness caused due to circulation problem needs to be checked by a physician as early as possible since it may be a sign of potentially serious diseases like myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure.^[3]
2. Hypoglycemia: This is yet another cause for Dizziness When Bending Over. It occurs due to the levels of blood sugar falling low. This is seen especially in diabetics who have not eaten enough food for a prolonged period of time. A diabetic can also have Dizziness When Bending Over due to medication change or bending immediately after taking insulin.^[3]
3. Hypotension: This is a condition when the blood pressure falls below the normal range. When this happens any sudden changes in the position of the head can lead to the person having Dizziness When Bending Over. Hypotension is generally not considered to be a sign of a medical illness but still it has the potential to cause some symptoms due to the blood not reaching the brain quickly enough especially with sudden changes in position. Additional symptoms seen with hypotension include dark spots in the vision, weakness, confusion, and sometimes even loss of consciousness.^[3]
4. Dehydration: This is also one of the common causes of Dizziness When Bending Over. Lack of enough fluids in the body causes dehydration. This happens when a person does not drink enough fluids especially on a hot day for prolonged periods of time. An intense exercise workout and not drinking enough fluids after it can also cause dehydration. Diarrhea and bouts of vomiting also is quite a common cause for dehydration. The lack of enough fluids in the body makes it tough for the brain to work properly causing Dizziness When Bending Over.^[3]
5. Panic Attacks: This is a psychiatric disorder in which hyperventilation is quite common. This results in a sharp decline in the levels of carbon dioxide in the body. This sharp drop of carbon dioxide levels results in Dizziness When Bending Over.^[3]
6. Anemia: This is a condition which is caused due to lack of enough production of red blood cells in the body. This affects the flow of blood to the brain causing Dizziness When Bending Over. Additional symptoms of anemia include persistent fatigue, problems breathing, palpitations, and paleness of skin.^[3]
7. Side Effects of Medications: There are certain medications which have dizziness as a side effect profile. These medications include sedatives, certain antihypertensives, antidepressants, pain medications, certain types of antibiotics, and diuretics. It is always better to consult with a physician if a person suspects medications being a cause of Dizziness When Bending Over.^[3]
8. Hypothyroidism: This is a condition which results due to the thyroid gland not producing enough hormones for various metabolic functions in the body. This can cause hypotension or slow heartbeat which ultimately causes Dizziness When Bending Over.^[3]
9. Inner Ear Dysfunction: It is the ear that controls the balance and any problems with the ears often at times results in Dizziness When Bending Over, especially when the inner ear gets affected. This is mostly caused due to infections or injuries. The most common medical condition caused by inner ear dysfunction is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. This condition occurs when a calcium particle from one part of the ear shifts to another part of the ear resulting in dizziness.^[3]
10. Meniere Disease: Dizziness When Bending Over is quite common in people with Meniere disease. There is apparent cause for this dizziness. Additionally, a person with this condition will also have constant pressure in the ear, tinnitus, and hearing loss.^[3]
11. Medical Conditions: There are also certain medical conditions that also cause Dizziness When Bending Over, although not that commonly. These conditions include migraines, Parkinson disease, Lyme disease, depression, dementia, pregnancy-induced hormonal changes, peripheral neuropathy, and.^[3]

In most of the cases mentioned above, once the underlying cause is managed, the dizziness resolves and it does not require any additional medical intervention. Many of the causes mentioned above like dehydration can be managed at home itself by keeping the body hydrated at all times, especially in the hot weather and avoiding excess of caffeine and alcohol.^[3]

Dizziness caused due to hypotension can be managed by wearing compression socks which have been found to be quite effective. However, it is best to see a physician if the episodes of Dizziness When Bending Over are quite frequent or worsen in severity. A consultation with a physician should also be sought in cases where it is accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, loss of consciousness, changes in vision, chest pain, heart racing, and tinnitus.^[3]

Even if the dizziness is very mild, then also it is better to consult with a physician to find out ways to manage it and prevent any future episodes. In majority of the cases, Dizziness When Bending Over resolves when the person stands up straight and does not need any medical intervention.^[3]

References:

Also Read:

• Vestibular Dizziness: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis
• 8 Common Causes of Dizziness When Lying Down & Ways To Get Rid Of It
• Sleep Deprivation Dizziness: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, Risks
• Causes of Dizziness After Driving Long Distance, Its Symptoms, Management
• Causes of Dizziness After Acupuncture & Ways to Deal With it
• Can Anxiety Cause Dizziness?
• 10 Useful Home Remedies For Dizziness