I Have Fainting Spells Almost Every Time I Stand Up.

Dear Anon, I would be concern not just with your eating habits but what are you doing to replace your minerals that protect your heart from heavy work outs?

Have you even been diagnosed with "Postural hypotension"? This condition is a drop in blood pressure (hypotension) due to a change in body position (posture) when a person moves to a more vertical position, from sitting to standing or from lying down to sitting or standing. This condition is more common among older people but it can also happen to younger individuals whose bodies are not getting the necessary nutrients.

What you are experiencing during the change in position is a temporary reduction in blood flow and therefore a shortage of oxygen to the brain. This leads to lightheadedness and, sometimes, a "black out" episode, a loss of consciousness. The ringing in your ears may be also a way your body is telling you that you are pushing too hard or you are lacking nutrients (fuel) to keep going.

If indeed what you are experiencing is postural hypotension, I suggest you exercise caution and slow the process of changing positions from lying to sitting to standing and consult a doctor as soon as possible to make sure it is not something more serious. Make sure you are replacing minerals after your workouts too.

Hi Jessica-

As others have stated, not consuming enough calories at the appropriate time is most likely one of the reasons you are feeling faint.

However, another main component may be breathing incorrectly. When I first started resistance training, I would subconsciously hold my breath instead of breathing at my normal pace. This caused both avoidable faint and headaches. I learned my lesson quickly.

Make sure you are breathing at an appropriate pace, particularly when lifting.

And, as stated above, consult with your doctor as it may be an inner ear problem, anemia, low blood sugar, or another condition.

Thank you for asking EmpowHer!

Hello Jessica! Thank you so much for posting your question. I had a friend who was a distance runner and if he missed a meal due to being sick or too busy to eat he would also sometimes pass out. I think it was due to his having like 2% body fat or something and his strenuous workouts combined with lack of food.

I agree with alysiak and her thoughts about your diet and nutrition. I was wondering too if you are eating enough before you work out.

I'd definitely make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can to discuss this. It might be just a matter of eating more/better before you work out, or it might be a low blood sugar issue or an inner ear issue too. The fact that your ears hurt when you work out makes me wonder if you do have something going on in your ears that would explain both the near-fainting and the pain.

Please post again and let us know what your physician says. Best in health to you, M

Hi, Jessica:

Have you consulted your doctor about this? I would question whether you're eating well enough to sustain your physical exertion. What is your diet like? Have you been diagnosed with any particular health conditions?