Some people experience dizziness when bending over. What are the causes of this?
To answer this question, the German Association for General and Family Medicine explains that dizziness when bending over has many causes, the most common of which is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. This type of dizziness occurs due to specific head movements, such as:
- Bending over
- Turning or lowering the head
- Lying down, rolling over while lying, or sitting up
The cause of this type of dizziness is the presence of small crystals in the inner ear, which shift position when the head moves. This leads to irritation of the sensory cells. These sensory cells send signals to the brain, but they do not match the movement perceived by the eyes, causing sudden dizziness.
Causes of dizziness in older adults
- Orthostatic hypotension
Dizziness when bending over can also result from a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up or sitting upright, a condition known as orthostatic hypotension, which occurs due to poor blood pressure regulation. The causes of this weakness include the following conditions: - Cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure or coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or dementia
- Kidney failure
- Medications
Some medications can cause dizziness when bending over or standing up if taken over a long period of time, such as:
- Blood pressure-lowering medications
- Diuretics
- Antidepressants
In any case, it is important to consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause of dizziness when bending over, especially if it occurs frequently over a prolonged period or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as fainting.
