Dizziness at night

Getting out of bed quickly can briefly make you feel faint, especially after a warm room, illness, limited fluid intake or medicines that affect blood pressure. Darkness can make balance harder, while turning over or looking up may trigger spinning from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Nighttime symptoms can also occur with low blood sugar or anxiety.

Notice whether the sensation is spinning, swaying or near-fainting. Record whether it happens only when sitting up or standing, after turning your head, after eating, or while lying still. Anaemia and heart-rhythm problems can cause dizziness at any time, so timing alone does not identify the cause.

Before standing, sit on the bed and let your eyes adjust. Turn on a light, place both feet on the floor and rise slowly while holding a stable support. If dizzy, sit or lie down immediately. Keep a clear route to the bathroom, wear secure footwear and avoid walking while unsteady.

Drink regularly during the day unless a clinician has advised fluid restriction. Do not change prescribed medicines without advice. If you have diabetes, follow your personal plan for nighttime low blood sugar. Keep a diary of sleep, food, fluids, medicines, position and symptoms for a clinician.

Call emergency services for fainting, chest pain, severe breathlessness, a new irregular heartbeat, one-sided weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, severe confusion or a sudden severe headache. Seek urgent care after a fall with a significant injury or if you cannot walk safely.

Arrange a review when nighttime dizziness repeats, disrupts sleep, begins after a medicine change or occurs while lying still. Dehydration, Hypoglycaemia and Generalised Anxiety Disorder are among conditions a clinician may consider alongside inner-ear and circulation causes.

Ask whether your blood pressure and medicines could contribute, whether an inner-ear assessment is appropriate, and which checks are needed for anaemia or an irregular rhythm. Mention falls, snoring, heavy bleeding, diabetes and exactly when the dizziness starts during the night.