Feeling Faint in the Shower

[Heather_Lee]

Everytime I take a shower, I become faint, light -headed and sometimes nauseous.  My vision starts going a bit blurry, and I have to sit down for awhile or else I will pass out.  I know it's not pregnancy because this has been happening since I was about 13 year old on and off, but here lately, it's gotten worse.  

I start off okay for about the first 10 or 15 minutes I'm in the shower and then the symptoms start taking over.  I'll have to sit down for awhile and only be able to stand up for about a minute before I will have to sit down again.

I can't take a bath as I am living in student accomodation without any baths.

I've tried looking for answers on-line to this, but haven't found any.  I'm just wondering what this could be.

Thank you!

[viking65]

My wife has this problem and I thought about Gatorade too. How much per day would you think? She also gets a little dizzy when getting up in the am which she takes meds for.

[reenadaisy]

A related discussion, I faint in the shower everyonce in a while was started.

[tbat40]

This can also be caused by steam... not just the hot water.  Anyone suffering from this should make sure their shower is properly vented by opening a window/door or turning on the exhaust fan. I used to suffer from this, but just making sure that no steam builds up means I can enjoy all the long, hot showers I want.

[ShihTzu925]

It is not in your head.  This happens to a lot of people, me included.  I think it may have something to do with the temperature of the water.  You need to get a new doctor if this is all she can manage when you go to her with a concern.  

[Lotte789]

The same thing happens to me, so mow I take tepid showers.
Thins is what I was told.


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Hot showers (any heat really) dilate (open up) the blood vessels in an attempt to bring down body temperature.

Excessive or rapid dilation can lead to a drop in blood pressure, which sounds like what you experienced. Some other signs on sudden hypotension (low blood pressure) include sweating, nausea, vomiting, tunnel vision, ringing in ears or sounds appearing far away, lightheadedness, feeling dizzy and fainting.

This hypotension can also happen if you stand up too quickly from a sitting or lying down position, and can be prevented by getting up slowly. This is called postural hypotension and can be made worse by things such as a hot shower, as this will further drop blood pressure.

When you feel an episode coming on, lie down, or sit with your head between your knees to aid the return of blood and vital oxygen to your brain. Fainting can cause serious injuries.

Also try having a cooler shower. Cold constricts blood vessels.
Source(s):
Registered nurse
2 years ago Report Abuse

[symptomgirl]

I went to the doctor because not only do I get lightheaded and nauseous after my shower and have to lie down, I sometimes get it first thing after I get out of bed and have to lie on the floor until it passes!  I started taking my blood pressue at home and it has been in the 80's over 50's when I'm feeling really bad, and 90's over 50's when I'm just a little lightheaded. The doctor sent me to a cardiologist and he said to "just increase the salt in your diet"! They seem to feel it is just "low blood pressure" and that it won't hurt me. Yikes! Not sure what else to do about it except increase my fluid intake and salt...haven't noticed much difference, though.