[Scotty13]

This has never happen to me before. I’m a 44 yr old, white male, sleep about seven hrs a day, DON’T have a stressful job, eat healthy and walk several miles during the week. I do spend several hours on the PC building a website.

About three weeks ago, I had a sinus head cold for about 10 days for the first time. Usually I just get a runny nose. I went to my chiropractor, he adjusted my neck and back, so that helped, and I took Sudafed for about 4 days.

Yesterday when I got out of bed (like always do), the room started spinning, so I had to sit down for a few seconds and I was fine for the rest of the day. I started to get a headache at the end of the day and it lasted through the night. I took Tylenol. This morning when I got up in the middle of the night and when I got up at 7am, I felt a slight dizziness.

I’m okay when I get up from a chair with no problems. What could it be?


Thanks in advance,

Scotty13

[smoothy]

When is the last time you had a complete physical? Checked your blood pressure? If it hasn't been recently then its time.

[Scotty13]

Its been YEARS since my last physical. I'll call my doctor and make an appointment. What do you recommend I do in the mean time?

Thanks, I do appreciate this.

Scotty13

[Scotty13]

My doctors appt. isn't until Friday June 4. Something I can eat that will help me?

[J_9]

Most likely what you are experiencing is called Orthostatic Hypotension. This means that your blood pressure drops with changes in position. Particularly sitting/lying down to sitting up/standing.

There is really nothing you can eat to help this. Many times an increase in fluids will help, but that really depends on the root cause.

Have you checked your blood pressure recently? If not, since you have an appt scheduled, I suggest you go to your local pharmacy/walmart, etc. and use one of their BP machines just to get an idea of what your BP range is.

[Scotty13]

Im actually going to be doing that a hour at my local grocery store. What is a normal blood pressure? Thank you

[J_9]

120/80 is the typical norm. 140/90 is still within norm, but is considered borderline high.

[Scotty13]

Tested my pressure and it came back 157/103 Pulse: 73.

I should've cked it again, but I didn't. I'm going to stop at another store in a few hours and test it again.

[smoothy]

That 103 number is a matter of concern. Definitely HIGH.

[Devorameira]

It's possible that you have a little middle ear infection along with your sinus problem.

Also might note that a lot of the cold and sinus medications will make your blood pressure run really high. It will go back down when you stop.

Best advice is to see your doctor and let him check you out.

[smoothy]

THey will definitely put you on meds for high blood pressure.

Acceptable numbers do creep high with age... but you are younger than me, and BOTH those numbers are way higher than mine ever were when they put me on high blood pressure medication. But as was mentioned... its likely to be something else. But good thing you did find out about the pressure. High blood pressure that's untreated can lead to a long list of other problems, some that can kill you.

[J_9]

157/103 is definitely high. You absolutely must have this checked out by your doctor.

It does seem as though you are experiencing orthostatic hypotension... the dizziness when changing positions.

You need to make an appointment as soon as possible with your doctor to have this diagnosed and treated. High blood pressure (HTN) can pose a multitude of health problems if not treated.

[Scotty13]

FYI. Thanks for all your emails. It boils down to my sinus. I had a huge sinus attack for almost three days and ever since, not one dizzy spell. Thanks again, Scott