Doctor issues warning to anyone who feels dizzy in the morning which could be sign of ‘profound’ problem
If you've suddenly started feeling slightly off balance when you wake up in the morning, one doctor says something more sinister could be afoot.
The same can also be said for individuals experiencing dizziness during your first few hours of the day, with TikTok medic Dr Keiser explaining how best to treat his 'profound' problem.
Now, there are countless reasons why someone might be feeling light-headed.
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Not having had enough water and becoming dehydrating being one example, along with low blood sugar for those who haven't eaten in a while and nervousness in those with anxiety.
Those suffering with anaemia - an iron deficiency - could also experience dizziness if they fail to take the proper medication, and a sudden drop in blood pressure could create the feeling of instability.
Interestingly, however, GP Dr Keiser says that light-headedness experienced during the early morning - or immediately upon waking up - could be triggered by something else entirely, especially when it's noticed on a consistent basis.
"If you're standing up in the morning and you're dizzy every morning, there's probably another symptom that goes with that," he recently explained on TikTok, touching on something called 'selfish brain theory'.
"Are you tired of waking up each morning feeling dizzy and unsteady? You're not alone," he penned online. "But there's more to it than just feeling off-balance."
'Selfish brain theory' - initially founded by German brain researcher Achim Peters back in 1998 - this suggests that our bodies prioritise the brain when it comes to the amount of oxygen being passed around the body via the blood, even if that means other organs don't receive it as efficiently.
If, for some reason, not enough oxygen is transported to the brain, this will result in some unpleasant side effects, including dizziness.
Dr Keiser explains: "The brain requires an uninterrupted supply of oxygen and glucose to function optimally.
"So, if you're experiencing reduced blood flow to your head, it's a clear sign that something significant may be amiss."
He says, therefore, that the cause for the blockage of oxygen is something that needs to be investigated, meaning a trip to the GP should definitely be on the cards.
"Don't overlook the importance of these symptoms," Dr Keiser warns, describing lack of oxygen to the brain as a profound problem.
"So, if you're symptomatically experiencing that you're not getting enough blood flow to your head, there's a likelihood that something profound is probably failing," he summarises.
"Because that [the brain] is what we prioritise the most."
Rhianna Benson