Why You Might Get Dizzy When You’re Constipated
First, know that constipation isn’t a common cause of dizziness, says Michael D. Brown, MD, gastroenterologist and professor of medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. However, in certain circumstances, it might contribute to it. Here’s what might be going on.
Straining or having a rather large or voluminous bowel movement (usually in the context of explosive diarrhea) or a gastrointestinal bleed, can cause what Dr. Brown calls a vagal event.
Vasovagal syncope, or the overstimulation of your vagus nerve, can lead to a drop in your pulse rate, and without enough blood going to your brain, you can get dizzy and even faint. A number of factors can trigger this condition, according to Cedars Sinai, including extreme heat, dehydration, skipping meals, prolonged exercise, and, sometimes, having a bowel movement.
Sometimes a condition called orthostatic hypotension is also to blame for fainting, according to Cleveland Clinic. It can occur when you change positions quickly (like going from lying down to standing up) and your blood pressure drops.
If you are constipated, you might be spending a little too much time on the toilet trying to go. And so, if you spend an hour sitting down and then get up quickly, you could experience orthostatic hypotension.
Blood pools in your legs as you sit, less blood flows to the brain, and as a result, you may feel faint, dizzy, or confused according to MedlinePlus.
Sitting down for long periods of time can also make your legs go numb, Brown says.
