"Why Does Dizziness, Blurred Vision, and Leg Numbness Occur After Squatting? Its More Than Just Simple Dizziness!"

Dizziness and Leg Numbness After Squatting: Causes and Precautions

Almost everyone experiences dizziness and leg numbness when suddenly standing up from a squatting position, but these symptoms usually subside within a few minutes. Some people attribute this to anemia or a calcium deficiency. However, is this really the case? Let's delve into the reasons behind dizziness and leg numbness after squatting.

1. Dizziness After Squatting

Feeling dizzy or seeing black spots upon standing up from a squat is not solely indicative of anemia but could be a sign of orthostatic hypotension. When sitting or squatting, the blood vessels in the legs and waist are compressed for an extended period, hindering blood circulation. Rising abruptly relieves this pressure, causing a surge of blood towards the legs and waist, resulting in a temporary shortage of blood supply to the brain, leading to headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision.

Individuals with cardiovascular diseases or those with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol levels are more prone to severe symptoms like loss of consciousness or even fainting, which could lead to falls or fractures. To diagnose orthostatic hypotension, measure your blood pressure while lying down for three minutes, then stand up and rest for another three minutes before measuring again. A drop in systolic blood pressure by more than 20 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure by more than 10 mmHg upon standing indicates orthostatic hypotension.

Elderly individuals or those with cardiovascular conditions should rise slowly from a seated or squatting position. In case of a hypotensive episode, drinking a glass of saline water can help restore blood volume and elevate blood pressure. However, maintaining stable blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar levels is crucial for long-term health. Persistent symptoms like headaches, dizziness, weakness, paleness, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or difficulty reading and speaking should prompt a medical evaluation for potential conditions like anemia, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cerebral infarction, or cerebral atherosclerosis.

2. Leg Numbness After Prolonged Squatting

Leg numbness after squatting for a long time is a normal neurological response. Prolonged squatting compresses the nerves and blood vessels in the legs, leading to ischemia and hypoxia in local nerve cells. Suddenly standing up causes a rapid circulation of blood, flooding the brain with nerve signals, causing confusion and numbness in the legs. To alleviate this, wiggle your toes before standing up, and the numbness should dissipate within 2-3 minutes.

If numbness persists in both legs and arms, it could indicate lumbar spine issues like lumbar spinal stenosis or lumbar disc herniation, which compress the nerves. Severe cases may lead to pain, muscle atrophy, and even urinary incontinence. Symmetrical numbness could also be a sign of diabetic neuropathy, where long-term diabetes disrupts blood lipid metabolism and leads to nerve damage.

Final Thoughts

After squatting, pay attention to your body's signals. Brief episodes of dizziness and leg numbness are generally harmless, but if accompanied by palpitations, shortness of breath, or general discomfort, seek medical advice, especially if you are middle-aged or older.