Feeling like you’re going to fall over every time you stand up is never a good sensation. You want to be able to move around the world the way you always did, instead of having to worry about staying on your feet.
But why might you feel like you’re going to fall over all the time? What are the conditions that can cause this sensation? Let’s take a look.
You have an issue with your inner ear
One of the main reasons you feel like you’re going to fall over all the time is because you have an issue with your inner ear. When the inner ear isn’t working properly and not acting like the body’s natural spirit level, it doesn’t know where your head is in space. Because of this, everything else feels out of whack.
If you have this problem, it’s often worth going to a balance treatment center. Professionals can help identify the root cause of the problem in the ear and then provide treatment. Usually, it is just a matter of redistributing internal fluid or dealing with Meniere’s disease.
You experience a drop in blood pressure
Another reason you feel like you’re going to fall all the time is when you experience a sudden drop in blood pressure. Sudden drops in blood pressure usually happen when you go from a sitting to a standing position. This condition is called orthostatic hypotension.
It happens because when you stand up, gravity pulls blood down to your legs. If your body doesn’t pump it back up to your brain fast enough, it can lead to lightheadedness and unsteadiness. If you have low blood pressure, it may be because you aren’t eating enough food or you lack sufficient salt in your diet. It can also be related to sudden medical conditions, or it can be completely benign and something that you just have to manage as part of your daily life.
Proprioception issues
You may also encounter proprioception issues. Proprioception is how your body tells you where it is in space, including while it’s moving. It maps all of your joints, muscles, and limbs into a mental model that the brain can then work with.
Proprioception problems usually occur if you have nerve damage or poor circulation, and signals from your feet and other extremities don’t reach the brain fast enough. You’re not getting clear data on where everything is. This can increase your risk of falling, so it’s worth going to a medical professional to ask what you can do to treat the underlying cause.
Medication side effects
Finally, you might be experiencing medication side effects. For instance, let’s say that your wobbles began after you started a new prescription. Pills in your prescription cabinet could be the problem.
The main culprits in this instance are blood pressure medications, especially beta blockers. These reduce blood pressure so much that they can sometimes make you feel unsteady, especially if you’re combining them with a hypotensive diet. Other medications that can make you feel unsteady include sedatives, anti-anxiety drugs, and some over-the-counter allergy medications. These dull your reflexes and affect how the central nervous system operates.
