Most people would like to wake up feeling refreshed. If you regularly experience unusual symptoms first thing in the morning, however, it may be worth paying attention. Many complaints in the morning can be harmless, but some may indicate a health problem that is worthy of discussion with a healthcare professional.
A group of symptoms that doesn’t always get much attention includes waking up feeling dizzy, weak, confused, or struggling to speak. Occasional symptoms are not necessarily an indicator of a serious issue, but if these symptoms happen on a recurring basis, they can’t be ignored.
Why Morning Symptoms Matter
During sleep, the body undergoes a number of changes. Blood pressure, heart rate, breathing patterns, and blood sugar levels can all change overnight.
For this reason, certain health issues might be more apparent soon after waking. This is the reason why doctors always ask patients about the time of day that symptoms occur and if they seem to happen at any certain time of day.
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Record any symptoms that happen every morning to bring up during a medical visit.
Symptoms Worth Bringing Up
If they happen often or you think they are unusual for you, consider talking about the following:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Unexplained weakness
- Trouble speaking clearly
- Difficulty concentrating or confusion
- Balance problems
- Numbness or tingling
- Severe morning headaches
- Vision changes
There can be many different causes of these symptoms, so a professional evaluation is important.
Don’t Ignore Sudden Neurological Symptoms
CDC recommends that everyone know the warning signs of stroke, which are listed using the acronym F.A.S.T.:
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call emergency services
Seek urgent medical help if symptoms develop suddenly (such as drooping of the face, weakness in the arms, or speaking problems) and do not wait for a scheduled doctor’s appointment.
Keep a Symptom Record
Prior to your visit, it could be useful to make notes of:
- The time the symptom occurs
- How long it lasts
- How often does it occur
- Any other symptoms that happen at the same time
- If there is anything that triggers or relieves it
Even simple notes can help your doctor better understand what you are feeling.
Avoid Self-Diagnosing
Tempting as it may be, people can sometimes go online to see what symptoms match what ails them and then come to the conclusion that there’s something wrong. But some symptoms can be caused by many things.
For instance, dizziness can be a symptom of dehydration, side effects of medications, inner ear problems, blood pressure changes, sleep problems, and a variety of other ailments. The underlying cause can only be determined through evaluation by a healthcare professional.
When to Schedule a Conversation
As a general rule, anything that’s new, recurring, worsening, or interfering with your life is worth talking about at your doctor’s appointment.
It is not necessary to know the cause of the symptom before bringing it up. In fact, your doctor’s job is to look for potential causes.
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Small health changes can sometimes be the easiest to tackle, as Big Laps reminds readers. If you’re waking up with strange symptoms like dizziness, weakness, confusion, or trouble speaking, don’t just shrug them off; let your doctor know.
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