Light headedness followed by urination?

Question

Whenever my grandpa stands up he gets light headed and dizzy and if he continues to walk he gets to the point that he can't move and will fall over if he doesn't sit down. Immediately after the dizziness he has to urinate. Recently he had colon cancer and we thought this may be why this was happening, but after it was removed they seem to be getting worse. He had his blood sugar tested and it was fine. None of the doctors know what the problem is. Anybody have any ideas?

Answer 1

This sound like a blood pressure problem, and it happens a LOT in older people.

Your grandpa needs to stand up SLOWLY, and stand still for a few seconds after he stands up but before he starts walking (hold on to the chair if possible).  This will let his blood pressure settle before he tries to move.

I think the need to urinate might be caused by an adrenaling dump -- it's the same thing that make you feel like you gotta pee when you see somebody get hurt on TV . . .And this "dump" is casues by the low blood pressure.

Have grandpa talk to his doctro about this.  Maybe he needs medication to RAISE his blood pressure???

I've got the feeling I'm not as old as your granpa, but the same thing happens to me every morning.  I have learned to set on the edge of the bed for 2 or 3 minutes before I stand up.  Then, I'm fine after that.

Answer 2

He could be diabetic even though when they checked his blood sugar it was fine. His blood sugar could fluctuate wildly during the day, so that by the time the doctors check it he is fine again. He could of course also be hypoglycemic.

Answer 3

It sounds like your grandpa has a condition called orthostatic hypotension - a condition where your blood pressure plummets when you stand up and mobilise. It can be treated with medication so please take him to the GP. Blood pressure and kidney function are closely related which explains why he has to urinate after these spells.