Dizziness when bending over is common, but it requires professional medical evaluation if it is frequent, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms.
While it is often caused by benign issues such as dehydration or temporary orthostatic hypotension, persistent dizziness may indicate underlying cardiovascular, neurological, or inner-ear conditions.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, an online medical portal, dizziness is a common symptom that usually points to underlying issues such as inner ear problems, motion sickness, or medication side effects.
“While rarely dangerous, it can signal serious conditions like stroke or cardiovascular issues, particularly if persistent,” it stated.
A Chief Consultant Otolaryngologist at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State, Prof Mala Sandabe, explained that the inner ear is responsible for body balance, and any disruption may lead to imbalance and dizziness.
According to Medical News Today, patients experiencing persistent dizziness should see a doctor, especially when it interferes with daily life or occurs every time one bends over.
It noted that causes may include poor circulation, low blood sugar, hypothyroidism, Ménière’s disease, and others.
“A person should see a doctor if the dizziness is frequent or severe enough to interfere with daily activities. A doctor can help determine and treat the underlying cause. It becomes increasingly common as people age and is more common in women,” it stated.
In this article, Saturday PUNCH highlights six possible causes of dizziness when bending over and why they should not be ignored.
Dizziness that involves intense spinning, vomiting, fainting sensations, or worsening over time is a red flag.
A doctor should be consulted if dizziness is accompanied by severe headaches (especially in the morning), blurred or double vision, chest pain or palpitations, numbness or tingling, weakness in the limbs or face, difficulty walking, speaking or hearing, loss of consciousness, or if the person is over 65 years, has diabetes, or has a known history of heart or vascular disease.
Dizziness may signal poor circulation or stroke risk
Circulation refers to how well blood moves around the body. A sitting position may sometimes give a false impression of poor circulation.
“Blood carries oxygen, so if it does not circulate properly, the brain may not get enough oxygen. If the brain lacks oxygen, sudden movements such as bending over may cause dizziness,” said a consultant gynaecologist and surgeon at the Federal Medical Centre, Epe, Lagos, Dr Cynthia Okafor.
Other signs of poor circulation include cold hands or feet and numbness or swelling in the extremities.
She advised medical consultation, as it may signal serious conditions such as a heart attack, arrhythmia, or congestive heart failure.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
Low blood sugar can cause dizziness and impair brain function. It may occur when a person has not eaten for several hours. It is more common among people with diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, hypoglycaemia leads to over 202,000 emergency department visits in the United States annually.
The Mayo Clinic adds that it may also result from malnutrition, starvation, or reactive hypoglycaemia occurring a few hours after eating.
Anaemia
Anaemia occurs when the body lacks enough oxygen-carrying red blood cells. This can reduce oxygen delivery to the brain, causing dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin, and palpitations.
The World Health Organisation notes that anaemia causes dizziness or light-headedness.
“It is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or haemoglobin concentration is lower than normal. It mainly affects women and children. Globally, about 40 per cent of children aged 6–59 months, 37 per cent of pregnant women, and 30 per cent of women aged 15–49 are affected,” it stated.
Inner ear disorders
Sandabe explained that the inner ear regulates balance, and any disturbance can result in dizziness.
“Ear infections or injuries can cause dizziness when standing or bending over. A common condition is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), where small calcium particles shift within the inner ear, triggering vertigo and imbalance,” the professor said.
High blood pressure (hypertension)
According to the British Heart Foundation, hypertension is a serious condition that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage, and premature death if untreated.
Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Low blood pressure is less discussed but can also cause dizziness. The British Heart Foundation notes that while it is not always dangerous, it may indicate an underlying condition.
“When blood pressure is too low, symptoms such as dizziness, spinning sensations, dark vision spots, weakness, confusion, and fainting may occur, especially when standing or bending. It requires proper medical evaluation,” it added.
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