Drink!
December 08, 2013
I spend a lot of time lying down. In addition to sleeping, I stretch and lift weights on the floor, and I meditate lying down.
So I was not prepared for the dizziness I felt when I stood up after my morning stretches a few Fridays ago. I grabbed a nearby doorknob to save myself from falling and thought that perhaps I had gotten up too fast. Later that day, I felt dizzy after meditating and after getting up from exercising on my foam roller. That’s when I called the doctor who told me to come right in. Although my blood pressure was wacky and I was dehydrated, he found nothing life-threatening. So I promised to drink a ton of water, and went home.
Although things got somewhat better, and I was managing by getting up slowly, the on-and-off dizziness continued. So on Thursday I saw an ear, nose and throat specialist who ruled out an inner ear problem with a few non-invasive tests.
However, she reminded me that although I am in super shape in general, there are some inevitable changes with age that affect the way blood moves through the body. Because I have very low blood pressure (which isn’t so good as one ages), I need to increase my blood volume so that it flows to my head more easily when I get up. The remedy is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
I thought I drank a lot of water, but I will drink more.
And so should you.
You're right! Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: Audrey Mitchell | December 09, 2013 at 08:30 AM
This is very useful information. My blood pressure also tends to be low, but I didn't realise it could be a problem - or that drinking lots of water is important. I'm drinking away now. Thank you.
Posted by: Juliet | December 12, 2013 at 01:50 AM