Blacking out when you stand up?

[Magpie]

Okay, I often get a little bit dizzy, with maybe a bit of graying out around the edges of my vision, when I get up quickly. It has never worried me, as I know I have very low blood pressure.

So when my 15yo daughter started complaining about this particular thing a couple years ago, I didn't worry about it. I figured she's got low blood pressure like me.

However, she asked me to schedule her a physical exam a couple days ago. I did, of course. And today she explained that the reason she wants to see a doctor is because she's worried about fainting. Apparently these spells are happening more frequently, and with more intensity, when she stands up. She says she often can't see at all for a bit after she stands up, she feels dizzy, and she has to hold on to something until her head clears. (She actually did faint once last year, but we chalked it up to skipping breakfast.)

Now I personally think this could probably be solved if she spent less time reading and more time moving around. But she's not actually all THAT inactive, for a bookish non-athletic girl her age. No more than I was at her age, anyway. So I'm curious...

Does anyone else have this problem? Do you do anything about it?

 

[piglet too]

We took my oldest son (now 16) to the doctor for this last year. He has what the doctor called "vasovagal syncope" which is very common in teens. He was told to be slower about getting up and to be sure he stays well hydrated as well as to keep his sodium level up. The doctor also told him if he ever feels like he is going to pass out, to sit down right away so he does not fall and hit his head on something.

I would still get her checked out just to be safe, but I am sure she will be fine.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Both of you should get an echocardiogram to be on the safe side, just to rule it out.

My 14yodd has vasovagal syncope and my 19yodd has a repaired heart defect.

I also have low blood pressure.

Part of the dizziness came come from dehydration mixed with low blood pressure.

Also anxiety can be a cause of the dizzy spells.

At least get the cardiac stuff checked out.

 

[fimac]

My 13 year old is anemic. So how are her iron levels. Low levels can result on dizziness on standing.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I have low blood pressure and occassionally I'll get dizzy after quickly standing up. If I'm dehydrated and/or my blood sugar is low it is worse.

 

[dizluvah]

My 13 year old is anemic. So how are her iron levels. Low levels can result on dizziness on standing.

I echo this sentiment - anemia was my first thought

 

[diznygirl]

I heard about this - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthostatic_intolerance - when the yellow Wiggle retired. You mentioned your blood pressure. Hopefully you will get things squared away soon!

 

[Imzadi]

Hypoglycemia or anemia. Get her blood checked.

 

[Poohbear123]

I am 53 have High Blood Pressure, on meds for it, for the past 10 years, and NOW I am dizzy when I lay down, dizzy when I get up, Dizzy when I bend down to pick up something...its getting on my nerves! I drink plenty of liquids, and am not hypoglcemic...so......what is it? Will find out on April 6 when I tell the Doc I want a cat scan.

 

[suejai]

We took my oldest son (now 16) to the doctor for this last year. He has what the doctor called "vasovagal syncope" which is very common in teens. He was told to be slower about getting up and to be sure he stays well hydrated as well as to keep his sodium level up. The doctor also told him if he ever feels like he is going to pass out, to sit down right away so he does not fall and hit his head on something.

I would still get her checked out just to be safe, but I am sure she will be fine.

This is the situation for my DS 16 as well, Dr said the exact same thing. He is starting to grow out of it now.

 

[nmmom95]

This happens to me a lot. I'm an odd case, because I have other things wrong, but whenever I have a problem standing, it has been low blood pressure, anemia or dehydration (or a combination).

 

[asta]

My youngest daughter passes out easily. Her pediatrician checked everything and ended saying that there wasn't a problem, she just has this tendancy to faint. He instructed her on getting up slowly and stretching her legs before getting out of bed. This helps in making sure that her body is adjusting to a standing position. The strangest thing is that she passes out almost every time I am working with her hair (thank goodness I don't have to do this very often). She is tall and has to kneel for me to put rollers in or help dry her hair. We have to take breaks for her to move around or she will just crumple to the floor.

 

[mnrose]

This has been an issue for me FOREVER. Years and years. I have very low blood pressure, and have just learned to be careful when I stand up (doing it slowly, rather than quickly, e.g.). I have been tested six ways from Sunday and I am in excellent health.

Having said that, I do think it's worth checking with your doctor. Most likely, it's nothing but low blood pressure and how she naturally "is," but better safe than sorry.

 

[Magpie]

I heard about this - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthostatic_intolerance - when the yellow Wiggle retired. You mentioned your blood pressure. Hopefully you will get things squared away soon!

That "Acute OI" sounds exactly like what she's describing! While we're waiting for her appointment (at the end of this month), I'm going to try to get her to drink a cup of water every two hours, and see if it helps.

I'm actually reminded that when the child was a newborn, her circulation was terrible. It was kind of freaky, actually - if you put her on her side, half of her would turn white and the other half would flush red. And then if you turned her over, it would switch back the other way! Fun games to play with your newborn...

She stopped doing that after a week or so, but she's still always complaining of cold hands and feet.

 

[Mrs. Darcy]

We took my oldest son (now 16) to the doctor for this last year. He has what the doctor called "vasovagal syncope" which is very common in teens. He was told to be slower about getting up and to be sure he stays well hydrated as well as to keep his sodium level up. The doctor also told him if he ever feels like he is going to pass out, to sit down right away so he does not fall and hit his head on something.

I would still get her checked out just to be safe, but I am sure she will be fine.

I found out I had this when I was 14. I never actually passed out when standing, but I get dizzy, have to hold on to something for a moment and my vision turned VERY fuzzy and dark for a few moments. By the time I was 17, it stopped on it's own, but like the other poster, I had to make sure I was hydrated and have daily electrolytes.

 

[miss missy]

This happened to my teen son too. Sodium was the drs orders. Eat chips or anything with salt. He also said its common in teens.

 

[Rora]

I experienced this all the time in college-- it wasn't related to lack of sleep (slept more than I ever did in college) or drinking (didn't drink), or bad nutrition.

I would wake up, go brush my teeth, and then all of a sudden, my vison would go black, I'd feel really hot and woozy. I fainted twice, I believe.

It was awful. I'd have to sit or lay down so I didn't fall. My roommates were terrified and made me leave the bathroom door unlocked and kept tabs on me all the time.

I finally went to the DR on campus. They ran a bunch of tests- heart tests, blood tests, etc. Turns out I was anemic, and had had a series of incredibly bad kidney infections. Apparently, kidney infections, when severe enough, can make you black out.

I took antibiotics for the infection and the blackouts stopped occuring.

OP- I hope you can figure out what's going on with your DD. It is so very scary for everyone involved and I hope that it's something as easy as mine was to fix.