Causes Of Lightheadedness May Be Dehydration Medication Side Effects Sudden Blood Pressure Drops Low Blood Sugar And Heart Disease Or Stroke
Feeling woozy, lightheaded, or a little faint is a common complaint among older adults. Although it’s not usually caused by anything life-threatening, it could be, so you need to be careful.
“Don’t ignore it. Even if the lightheadedness does not have a serious cause, it could lead to serious injuries from a fall. And at the worst, the cause may itself be life-threatening,” says Dr. Shamai Grossman, an associate professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School.
If you feel lightheaded and/or woozy, Dr. Grossman recommends having a drink of water or orange juice and lying down. If symptoms last more than 15 minutes, he says it’s time to seek medical help in an urgent or emergency care setting. Even if symptoms are brief, and even if you think you know the cause, report the lightheadedness to your doctor.
Can You Explain Hyperglycemia And Hypoglycemia And Their Relationship With Headaches How Does Someone Know They Have This Condition Is It A Temporary Condition Or Do You Always Have It
Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia arent diseases themselves, but rather symptoms, or indicators of a health problem.
Dr. Patel was quoted as saying:Hyperglycemia occurs when the body is not producing or using enough insulin, the hormone that absorbs glucose into cells to be used for energy.
Again, this is typical in diabetics. Hypoglycemia is caused by very low blood glucose and is often associated with diabetes treatment. It can also very rarely be a side effect of medication, alcohol consumption, severe liver illnesses or hormone deficiencies.
Acid Reflux And Croup
Children often wake up in the middle of the night with coup-like symptoms which include a barking cough, and trouble breathing.
These symptoms are often the result of an over-acidic diet. As an example, chocolate milk may seem like a healthy treat for children. However, the combination of dairy and sugar is highly acidic, and because dairy takes longer to process in the digestive system, symptoms often present themselves at night.
The acid reflux caused by excessive amounts of sugar eaten throughout the day could be the reason for your kids cough at night.
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Other Side Effects Of Caffeine
People who have cardiovascular conditions, irritable bowel syndrome or an ulcer or who are prone to osteoporosis should use caffeine with caution, if at all. One big side effect of caffeine is insomnia, so stay away from caffeinated substances later in the day.
Caffeine is rarely harmful, but you can overdose on it. Because tolerance to caffeine varies so much, an overdose is identified by the symptoms it produces, rather than by the specific amount consumed. Besides dizziness, the symptoms of an overdose could include difficulty breathing, convulsions, diarrhea, fever, an irregular heartbeat, twitchiness and vomiting. If you think you’ve overdosed on caffeine, don’t attempt to treat it yourself. You should call 911 or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
How Much Sugar Is Too Much
When it comes to how much added sugar to eat per day, the answer isn’t so clearcut.
The most recent dietary guidelines recommend that added sugars make up no more than 10 percent of your daily calories. That equates to 38 grams for women on a 1,500-calorie diet or 50 grams for men on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Both the American Heart Association and World Health Organization are more conservative, recommending about 25 grams per day of added sugar for women and 36 grams per day for men.
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What If The 15
If you dont feel better after three tries, or if your symptoms get worse, call your healthcare provider or 911. Healthcare providers can use a medication called glucagon. They inject it with a needle or squirt it up your nose. Glucagon is also available for home use. Your healthcare provider can prescribe it and teach a family member or friend how to use it in the event of severe hypoglycemia.
Is It Your Circulation
Dizziness can be a sign of a problem with your blood flow. Your brain needs a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood. Otherwise, you can become lightheaded and even faint.
Some causes of low blood flow to the brain include blood clots, clogged arteries, heart failure, and an irregular heartbeat. For many older people, standing suddenly can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure.
It’s important to get medical help immediately if you’re dizzy and faint or lose consciousness.
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When To Visit The Er
Go to the emergency room if:
- You experience dizziness after a head injury or other accident
- Someone you are with loses consciousness and you are unable to wake them
- You have signs of a stroke, such as one-sided weakness or facial drooping — postponing treatment in the case of a stroke can lead to serious long-term disability or even death
- You or someone close to you is having seizures or convulsions
- You or someone you are with has a severe headache, especially if they describe their headache as being the worst they’ve ever had
- You have a high fever, especially if you also have a sore or stiff neck or if you’ve already tried to bring the fever down using acetaminophen or other measures without success
- You have had severe diarrhea and/or vomiting and suspect dehydration
- The dizziness is accompanied by sudden hearing loss
- You have chest pain, a rapid heart rate, or difficulty breathing
How Food Affects The Vestibular Problems
Vertigo is a consequence of certain problems in the inner ear. It can be an infection, mechanical problems like dislodgement of calcium carbonate particles , inflammation, functional disorders, weak immune response, increased inner ear pressure, etc.
The underlying pathological conditions need proper medication and treatment. Dietary modifications may augment the effect of the medical management.
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You’re Moody And Irritable
Some studies have linked sugars to mood disorders like depression. In addition to blood sugar swings, sugar can mess with the neurotransmitters in your brain that regulate your moods. Sugar, in particular, causes a spike in the feel-good hormone serotonin. “Because we know carbs affect neurotransmitters, it only follows that when you upset your carb balance by having so many entering your body at an unnatural rate it might make you feel better at first. But what goes up comes down, and they may make you feel worse in the long run,” says Ansel. Result: You feel cranky and tired.
Zeitlin says the best way to stabilize your blood sugar and mood is to eat more foods that take longer to digest, like whole grains, fiber, and protein.
Fatigue After Eating Sugar Heres What All You Need To Know
Do you feel exhausted and tired every time you eat an ice cream or a muffin? Read the following article to find out the reasons behind your experience of tiredness after eating sugar.
Do you feel exhausted and tired every time you eat an ice cream or a muffin? Read the following article to find out the reasons behind your experience of tiredness after eating sugar.
We all love sweets and often consume them to satisfy our taste buds. Some of us even get sugar cravings, which no other foods can satisfy. Sweets or any other high sugar content food item, for that matter, can alleviate our mood or so we think. In some people however, it has an adverse effect. Following are the causes, certain accompanying symptoms and preventive measures to be taken to alleviate the condition.
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What Are The Symptoms Experienced When A Person Feels Dizzy
- Lightheadedness is the feeling of weakness and faintness as if you are about to pass out. The symptoms tend to be short-lived, depending on the cause. There may be associated nausea, sweating, and blurred vision.
- If the cause is dehydration or bleeding, the symptoms may worsen by standing quickly and may resolve somewhat by lying down
- Heart rhythm disturbances may occur without warning and may be associated with palpitations. This may come and go or it may persist. The heartbeat may be felt as too fast , too slow, and/or irregular.
- Vertigo is the sensation of spinning and may present without warning and be associated with nausea and vomiting. People with inner ear problems may be debilitated and unable to move without generating symptoms.
- People with a cerebellar cause of vertigo such as a stroke or tumor may have associated coordination problems or difficulty walking, and other signs of stroke.
What Foods Have Added Sugars
Ultra-processed foodsâfoods with added flavors, colors, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and other additivesâcontribute to nearly 90 percent of our sugar intake, according to a BMJ Journal study. The main sources of added sugars in ultra-processed foods are:
- soft drinks
- breakfast cereals
- ice cream and ice-pops
As you can see, sugar-sweetened drinks are the top three sources of sugar in our diet. In fact, almost half of the added sugars in our diets come from drinks like soda and fruit drinks.
Check both the nutrition label and ingredients to find added sugar foods. “Just because a label says ‘no added sugar,’ you still want to read the label and see how many grams of sugar there are in that item per serving,” says Zeitlin.
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How Can Dizziness After Eating Be Treated
The treatments for dizziness after eating usually depend on the underlying cause. For example, if postprandial hypotension is causing the problem, some treatments can include these options:
- Choose foods that take longer to digest, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. High-sugar foods and refined carbohydrates digest rapidly and increase the risks for postprandial hypotension.
- Drink plenty of water, especially before a meal. Drinking a glass or two of water can increase the amount of blood volume in a persons body so that their blood pressure is less likely to drop.
- Eat several small meals in a day instead of a few large meals. Because the body uses more energy and blood flow to digest a large meal, eating small meals can reduce dizziness after eating.
- Get up slowly during the first hour after eating as this is the time when dizziness after eating is most likely to occur.
- Avoid foods known to trigger dizziness such as caffeine, alcohol, and high-sodium foods.
If your dizziness is the result of eating a certain food or having a food allergy, you should avoid that food. If youre uncertain exactly which food is causing the problem, talk to your doctor about an elimination diet to pinpoint the exact underlying cause.
But Did You Know That Sugar Can Also Cause Hangovers
Its true. If you havent given up sugar yet, pay close attention to how you feel after eating foods with sugar or even too many natural sugars in fruit.
Here are some of the symptoms of sugar hangover1:
- Fuzzy thinking or foggy mind
- Fatigue or sleepiness after meals
- Gas, bloating or extended stomach after meals
- Headache
- Skin problems
- Allergy symptoms
- Emotional Mood swings like emotional highs and then lows
Many of them are actually similar to how you might feel after too much alcohol. And theres a reason for that
Too much alcohol, just like too much sugar, affects your kidneys, liver, stomach and small intestines, which explains some of what is happening in your body. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal disturbances and disruption of sleep are some of the results.
And if you are aware of the symptoms of candida, they too carry a similarity.
Candida floods your body with a toxic by-product called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde produces similar symptoms to an alcohol hangover.
This serious toxin is poisonous to your tissues, is not easily eliminated and accumulates in your brain, spinal cord and muscles. Keeping in mind that your heart and intestines are muscles, you may now understand why you have symptoms of brain fog, muscle weakness and even pain.
And guess what feeds candida? SUGAR!
And thats simply too much for the human body to digest effectively.
Heres what happens in your body after you eat too much sugar or processed foods2:
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When To See A Healthcare Provider
Dizziness caused by motion sickness, by drinking alcohol or by using prescribed narcotic pain medication does not usually need to be evaluated by a healthcare provider. While not necessarily an emergency, dizziness caused by migraines should be evaluated, as should any persistent or unexplained dizziness.
If you experience dizziness after starting a new medication, stop taking the medication and call your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Stand up slowly to avoid a sudden drop in blood pressure. Talk to your healthcare provider about the possible causes of orthostatic hypotension. This condition is not usually an emergency, but the dizziness can lead to injuries from falls and should be treated. A chronic condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome may need to be ruled out.
If you or someone you are with is hyperventilating, stay calm, take deep breaths and use other techniques to treat hyperventilation syndrome.
If you suspect low blood sugar , eat something that preferably contains both carbohydrates and protein if you do not have a snack that contains both, carbohydrates are best. Examples of simple carbohydrates that will quickly raise blood sugar include fruit juice, candy, honey or cake icing. If you suspect that someone you are with has low blood sugar and they become unconscious, do not try to feed them because they may choke or aspirate instead, call 911.
Treating Low Blood Glucose If You Take Medicines That Slow Down Digestion
Some diabetes medicines slow down the digestion of carbohydrates to keep blood glucose levels from rising too high after you eat. If you develop low blood glucose while taking these medicines, you will need to take glucose tablets or glucose gel right away. Eating or drinking other sources of carbohydrates wont raise your blood glucose level quickly enough.
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You Keep Getting Cavities
This one’s a no-brainer, but sugar is a major cause behind tooth decay, according to the American Dental Association. When sugar sits on your teeth, it feeds plaque bacteria that are already naturally there, producing acids that wear away at your tooth enamel , which leads to cavities. “The worst is a combo of sugar and acid, which you get from sports drink or soda, since both destroy tooth enamel,” says Ansel. “People who drink lots of these drinks tend to have lots more dental problems.”
Solution: Swap the soda for sparkling or mineral water infused with your favorite fruit and/or herbs, like watermelon and basil or blackberries and mint.
You’re Experiencing Digestive Issues And Irregular Bowel Movements
Some research suggests that sugar might decrease the diversity of healthy bacteria in your gut within as little as a week, making your digestive system sluggish. “Too much white sugar won’t help you if you’re trying to promote healthy bacteria in your system,” adds Zeitlin. Foods naturally high in fiber have a positive impactâand people eating lots of sugar generally aren’t eating a lot of fiber, says Ansel.
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When Should I Call The Doctor For Dizziness
Dizziness is a common complaint and often has resolved by the time the patient arrives to see a health care professional. Usually there is no rush to seek care. However, while the complaint of dizziness is not often an emergency, seek care immediately if it is accompanied by any of the following:
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations. These symptoms should not be ignored, as they suggest the heart may be the source of the dizziness.
- Dehydration. Often there may be an associated illness including fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- People with diabetes may have dizziness due to low blood sugar or high blood sugar , and may need emergent care to stabilize their insulin and medication requirements.
- Bleeding from any source.
- Altered mental status or thinking. This may include symptoms such as confusion, change in vision, change in speech, facial droop, weakness of one side of the body, or headache. These may be signs of stroke, bleeding in the brain, or tumor.
- FAST warning signs of a stroke:
- Face — facial droop
- Arm — arm or leg weakness
- Speech — difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Time — time is of the essence. Call 911.
How Is Hypoglycemia Diagnosed
The only way to know if you have hypoglycemia is to check your blood sugar with a blood glucose meter. Its a small machine that measures blood sugar. Most of these devices use a tiny prick of the finger to take a small amount of blood.
People with hypoglycemia unawareness may need a continuous glucose monitor. These wearable devices measure glucose every few minutes, day and night. An alarm sounds if blood sugar drops too low.
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You’ve Lost Motivation To Work Out
Consuming too much sugar can make you gain weight in many ways, but the weirdest way is that it can reduce actual physical activity. In one University of Illinois study, mice that were fed a diet that mimicked the standard American dietâi.e., one that was about 18 percent added sugarsâgained more body fat even though they weren’t fed more calories. One of the reasons was that the mice traveled about 20 percent less in their little cages than mice that weren’t fed the sugary diet.