Dizziness in the morning

After sleep, you may be slightly short of fluids or have gone a long time without food. Moving quickly from lying to standing can briefly lower blood flow to the brain, causing a faint feeling. Alcohol, illness, a warm bedroom and some medicines can add to this effect. Anaemia or iron deficiency anaemia may cause morning fatigue and lightheadedness, while spinning when you turn in bed can fit benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Notice whether the feeling fades after sitting, drinking or eating, or whether it persists through the day. Record snoring, palpitations, headaches, hearing changes and any recent medicine change for your clinician.

Before standing, sit on the edge of the bed and move your ankles. Rise slowly while holding a stable support, then pause before walking. Drink water and have breakfast if appropriate for your health needs. Keep pathways clear, use good lighting and avoid driving while unsteady. If symptoms are linked to a prescribed medicine, speak to the prescriber rather than stopping it independently.

Call emergency services for fainting with injury, chest pain, breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, severe headache, confusion or new vision changes. Arrange prompt assessment for repeated morning episodes, an irregular or racing heartbeat, black stools, heavy bleeding, persistent vomiting or dizziness that lasts after food and fluids. Heat exposure with confusion or profound weakness also needs urgent attention.

Ask whether blood pressure should be checked lying and standing, whether blood tests are appropriate, and if your medicines, sleep, hydration or meal pattern could play a role. Mention any falls or near-fainting.