It’s not unusual to experience sudden lightheadedness while taking a shower or unwinding in the bathtub. It can be a frightening sensation, and if you don’t understand its origin, it might even surprise you. Although it is not a cause for concern in the vast majority of situations, feeling lightheaded while taking a bath is. However, if it persists, you may want to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician for a checkup.
Learn what to do if this occurs to you as well as why it happens more frequently after taking a shower.
Why Did I Suddenly Get Dizzy in the Shower?
Do hot showers and baths harm your health and why do they make you feel queasy and lightheaded? Let’s find out!
Blood Pressure Concern
According to Joshua Hoffman MD, the medical director of Sutter Medical Group Hospitalist Program in California, “[Bathing or taking a shower causes blood vessels to enlarge and lowers blood pressure. Moving too quickly could deprive your brain of enough oxygen, leaving you feeling faint and unsteady.”
Whatever is in hot water tends to get diluted. Your body may become hotter due to the heat and stimulation of the shower spray or the bathwater running. Your blood becomes thinner and moves more quickly as a result. Your blood pressure rises as a result, and as a result of your blood flowing more quickly under more pressure, your blood vessels begin to dilate.
Your circulation increases, your heart beats more quickly, and your blood pressure rises as a result of your blood vessels opening. The result of all this rushing blood is that your blood pressure increases, which places strain on your brainstem. Dizziness follows, and with the increased circulation to your organs, your stomach may respond by sending signals to your brain that you are nauseous.
This effect may be increased if you enjoy turning the shower on high and pummeling your body with shower spray; nausea and disorientation may then occur. Disorientation often triggers dizziness. You might not notice the effects right away if you’re feeling lightheaded after a hot shower because you’re standing up. However, if you take a hot bath, you might suddenly feel dizzy if you try to get up and get out of the tub.
This is because the change in position may spur on your blood circulation even more, suddenly raising your blood pressure more. In extreme circumstances, you might even discover that taking a hot bath or shower gives you a throbbing headache or migraine. As your body enters a state of anxiety due to the elevated blood pressure, feeling dizzy can result in passing out or even muscle weakness.
Pregnant
If you happen to be pregnant, very dehydrated or very hungry, you might feel faint from time to time. You might also have liquid in your inner ear, which can make you feel strangely off-kilter and light-headed.
Chemical Substance Effects
As some people are extremely sensitive to substances like fluoride or chlorine as well as other chemicals that might be in the water, it is also possible that the problem lies with the water itself. Keep in mind that feeling dizzy from hot water alone is possible. If you transition from one extreme to another, such as entering a hot house after entering a cold one.
Changing Your Medication
Don’t discount other problems that you might not have considered. You could be affected if you’ve recently switched medications. If you have an infection or have recently been hospitalized, your body may not be able to handle normal activities, which can make you feel lightheaded.
If you recently started taking a new prescription drug, you might find that the heat and moisture from a shower or bath can cause your blood pressure to drop, which can cause nausea and a feeling of faintness.
Lack of Water
You might be dehydrated, and taking a hot bath can further lower your blood pressure and cause your skin to lose vital fluids. This is also the reason why, after a hot bath or shower, your skin might feel dry.
Low Blood Sugar
Those who suffer from problems with blood sugar often report that they feel dizzy, nauseous and dizzy. Those with thyroid issues or people who don’t consume enough iodine in their diet may experience this frequently.
When you don’t eat enough and take a shower or bath, your blood sugar may drop, which can cause nausea and dizziness.
How to Prevent Dizzy in the Shower?
Use Cold Water
A cool shower can help your body get back to normal if a bath or shower makes you feel dizzy. For this reason, people who frequently use saunas frequently wash off after their session with cold water.
Decrease Your Bath and Shower Time When Pregnant
Hot water and steam may make you feel lightheaded if you’re pregnant. Your body will be exposed to less heat by taking a shorter shower or bath. Better advice during pregnancy is to take a cooler, shorter shower or bath.
Take a Lukewarm Bath
If your body is already going through changes due to new medications, then toning things down with a lukewarm shower or bath is a good idea.
Give yourself a break and practice self-care by taking a bath or shower at a cooler temperature while your body adjusts to the chemical changes.
Have a Snack
Try to have a snack or a cup of sweet tea to help balance your blood sugar before you soap up if you are aware that you frequently feel dizzy before a shower or bath.
Final Thoughts
It’s time to visit the doctor if you frequently feel lightheaded while taking a shower. You might want to determine your reproductive status, whether you have any underlying medical issues, and whether you are consuming enough food and water. If you feel lightheaded or dizzy, you can also check your blood pressure at home to see if it falls.
FAQs
Why Do I Get Dizzy in the Shower? is It a Serious Problem?
You might ask yourself any of these queries as soon as you start to feel lightheaded. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the majority of causes of dizziness can be treated quickly or don’t really matter. Most likely, everything is fine with you.
