Health Question from concernd 18 year old female,

Hello I am a 18 year old female, and I suffer from Dizzing ness apon standing, I feel a

Ask your doctor what to do about it. I went through a period where I had some postural hypotension and was told to carry salt tablets with me. They did help a little but not much when I told my doc that she said, yeah the people who get this tend not to be very salt sensitive then she did not tell me anything else to do that would help. Myabe medical knowledge has improved in the last ten years and they will be able to help you.

Yeah I heard about the salt thing, I have been intaking a lot more salt for the past 2 months and it hasnt changed anything... .I come from a family where we dont go to docters I wasent even born in the hospital, and I have only ever been to the docter that one time to get checked out.. So I have no idea where to even start...

Carey, that sounds like it may be what's called a "syncopal episode." I used to have those, and would faint at the end. How long has it been since you saw the doctor? You really should be checked out for physical problems, as there are many disorders that can cause symptoms like this. Remember that we are not here as healthcare professionals, only sharing our experiences and support.

Until you can be re-evaluated, be careful not to stand up fast. Sit forward on your chair and relax, then get up slowly. Stand a few seconds before you move. If you're in bed, sit on the edge of the bed for a bit before trying to stand. Be sure you're not skipping meals. You also might try drinking some orange juice or eating a piece of candy when the feeling starts, as low blood sugar could be part of the problem also. If the sugar helps, you should see a doctor right away, as that could be a sign of diabetes. After injuring myself a few times, I finally learned to sit down and put my head down or to just lie down when it started. Yes, I've lain down in the hall at university, in the grocery store, etc. Less embarrassing than crashing into a stack of canned peas when you faint, though.

You need to start with a good primary care doctor. At your age that could be a family practice doctor or an internist. Explain your issues and also that you haven't had regular healthcare in the past. Hopefully they'll find nothing wrong and this will just be an inconvenience in your life. But if there is something going on, you can be treated so things don't get worse.

Good luck, dear.

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I just read your post and wanted to respond. I have dysautonomia, which causes the blood pressure to drop upon being upright for any length of time. The test that helps them make the diagnosis is called a tilt table test.

One of the symptoms that it can cause is fatigue due to the body struggling to maintain the blood pressure while upright and lack of blood flow to the brain at times.

There are different treatments depending on what the exact diagnosis is. It is better to drink something with a little salt in it such as 1/2 gatorade and 1/2 water instead of just water - the body tends to hold onto the fluid better which increases the blood volume helping to increase the blood pressure. I've also been prescribed florinef which is a steroid that helps the body hold onto fluid again to increase blood volume. It may also help to wear support hose so that the blood does not pool in the lower legs. Since I have asthma, they didn't prescribe a beta-blocker which is also often prescribed with this condition.

I know that this may not be what you have, but with what you describe I sure would be asking for a tilt table test and if your pcp won't ok it then see a cardiologist for it. I do think you can get some relief from this.
Good luck.

With the symptoms you are having it sounds like you might have Meniere's Disease.  You might want to talk to you doctor and see if this is what you might have.  You can go to webmd and do a search for this to get more info.  With the dizziness and loud ringing in your ears are two of the main symptoms of Meniere disease.  It most often affects people 40 to 60 years old but children and young adults can also have it.  Meniere disease is disease of the inner ear and affects hearing and balance.