Care Advice
Dizziness from Sudden or Prolonged Standing
What You Should Know:
- Standing up quickly is the most common cause of dizziness. This type of dizziness only lasts a short time. Getting out of bed is when it usually happens.
- Prolonged standing in one place is another common cause.
- Not drinking enough fluids or eating enough salt always makes it worse.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Standing - Pump Legs:
- In the mornings, sit up for a few minutes before you stand up.
- This will help your blood flow stay steady and adjust before you stand up.
- With prolonged standing, contract and relax your leg muscles. Reason: This helps pump the blood back to the heart.
- Sit down or lie down if you feel dizzy.
Salt - Increase Intake:
- Most people with this type of dizziness (due to standing) don't get enough salt.
- Try to eat some salty foods (potato chips or pretzels) every day.
Fluids - Drink More:
- Drink several glasses of fruit juice, other clear fluids or water.
- This will improve your child's fluid status and blood sugar.
- If the weather is hot, make sure the fluids are cold.
Lie Down:
- Lie down with feet up for 1 hour.
- Reason: this will increase blood flow to the brain.
Prevention:
- Extra water and salty foods during sports or hot weather
- Regular mealtimes and snacks
- Enough sleep and rest
What to Expect:
- With treatment, the dizziness usually goes away in 1 to 2 hours.
Call Your Doctor If:
- After 2 hours of rest and fluids, still feels dizzy
- Your child passes out (faints)
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Dizziness from Poor Fluid Intake
What You Should Know:
- Not drinking enough fluids and being a little dehydrated probably caused the dizziness.
- It should go away with drinking fluids and resting in a cool place.
- This is always made worse during hot weather. Too much sun exposure can also increase the body's need for fluid.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Fluids - Drink More:
- Drink several glasses of fruit juice, other clear fluids or water.
- This will improve your child's fluid status and blood sugar.
- If the weather is hot, make sure the fluids are cold.
Cool Off:
- If the weather is hot, use a cold pack or washcloth to the forehead.
- Taking a cool shower or bath will help even more.
Lie Down:
- Lie down with feet up for 1 hour.
- Reason: this will increase blood flow to the brain.
Prevention:
- Extra water and salty foods during sports or hot weather
- Regular mealtimes and snacks
- Enough sleep and rest
What to Expect:
- With treatment, the dizziness usually goes away in 1 to 2 hours.
Call Your Doctor If:
- After 2 hours of rest and fluids, still feels dizzy
- Your child passes out (faints)
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Dizziness from Unknown Cause
What You Should Know:
- Dizziness that goes away is a harmless symptom.
- It's usually due to not drinking enough water during sports or hot weather.
- It can also be caused by skipping a meal or too much sun.
- Sometimes, it's part of a viral illness.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Lie down with feet up for 1 hour.
- Reason: this will increase blood flow to the brain.
Fluids - Drink More:
- Drink several glasses of fruit juice, other clear fluids or water.
- This will improve your child's fluid status and blood sugar.
- If the weather is hot, make sure the fluids are cold.
Cool Off:
- If the weather is hot, use a cold pack or washcloth to the forehead.
- Taking a cool shower or bath will help even more.
Prevention:
- Extra water and salty foods during sports or hot weather
- Regular mealtimes and snacks
- Enough sleep and rest
What to Expect:
- With treatment, the dizziness usually goes away in 1 to 2 hours.
- Mild dizziness with a viral illness may last 1 or 2 days.
Call Your Doctor If:
- After 2 hours of rest and fluids, still feeling dizzy
- Mild dizziness lasts over 3 days
- Your child passes out (faints)
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.