Orthostatic Hypotension – Dizziness on Standing is a patient-friendly glossary entry reviewed for vertigo and ENT education.

Orthostatic hypotension means blood pressure drops after standing, causing lightheadedness, dim vision, weakness or faintness.

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What orthostatic hypotension means

Orthostatic hypotension means blood pressure drops after standing, causing lightheadedness, dim vision, weakness or faintness. The term matters because patients often use one word, dizziness, for several different body sensations.

A clear definition helps decide whether the likely problem is inner-ear vertigo, blood pressure, migraine, medicine effect, anxiety-related dizziness, neck-related dizziness or a neurological warning sign.

Why it matters

It is a common non-ear cause of dizziness and can be missed when every dizzy spell is assumed to be vertigo. This is why the symptom story, timing, triggers, hearing symptoms, eye movements and balance examination are all important.

For medical SEO and patient safety, this glossary page should guide the reader toward the right canonical guide rather than replacing a diagnosis.

How I use it in clinic

In clinic, I ask about standing triggers, dehydration, diabetes, blood pressure medicines, fainting and falls. I also check for red flags such as new weakness, double vision, slurred speech, severe headache, fainting, chest pain, new hearing loss or inability to walk.

That clinical filter prevents two common mistakes: treating every dizzy spell as BPPV, or treating every patient only with tablets without finding the cause.

What patients should do next

The feeling is usually faintness rather than spinning, although patients may describe both as dizziness. Repeated fainting, injury, chest pain or neurological symptoms need urgent assessment.

Before a consultation, note the first day of symptoms, attack duration, triggers, ear symptoms, headache history, neck problems, falls, medicines and any previous test reports.

This page is for patient education only and does not replace examination by a qualified doctor.