Dizziness is a familiar sensation that makes people feel unsteady as if they are off balance and might faint. This is due to several reasons, the most common being low blood glucose levels.
Glucose in our food is converted into energy that our body utilizes for all the mechanisms and metabolisms. The leftover glucose is stored in the liver and released if a person doesn’t eat a meal to compensate for its level. Hypoglycemia occurs when a person skips meals and doesn’t have glucose reserves.
More frequent episodes of hypoglycemia occur when a person eats simple carbohydrates rather than a balanced diet, including unprocessed fat, fiber, and protein. These simple carbs recharge you for a limited time and drain you out after a little while.
Is hypoglycemia the only reason for lightheadedness?
It is important to monitor glucose levels to rule out the cause. It can be done with a glucometer. If it shows an average sugar level, it is necessary to scan the complete picture and inspect the motivation to decide on a treatment plan. The most common cause is dysfunction of the inner ear.
Every time we move our heads, our inner ear conveys signals to our brain, interpreting these as linear or rotational movements. The brain then delivers information to other systems, such as auditory, sensory, etc., to keep our actions in sync and our body balanced. Suppose the inner ear fails to inform your brain correctly regarding the activities. In that case, your brain will fail to reconcile different pieces of information and will not be able to perceive the actual nature of the movement. This disrupts our orientation and makes us lose our equilibrium.
If a person is feeling dizzy along with other severe symptoms like numbness, it is most likely a warning sign of stroke. According to a study, 4-15% of people feeling giddy and shaky are developing a stroke. Panic attacks also make you dangerous. Dehydration also leads to instability. Other symptoms are dry skin and thirst. Severe migraine attacks and excessive alcohol consumption make you dizzy.
Other causes include muscle relaxants, antihistamines, and anti-epileptic medicine.
How do you prevent bouts of dizziness?
You are eating a healthy, timely diet and staying hydrated to keep most of the health issues away from you. Also, avoid all factors inducing dizziness, like alcohol, smoking, and stress, and make sure you have a proper sleep routine. Too much screen time can also make you shaky and your vision blurry. Eye problems may affect balance. Thus, it is vital to keep it in check.
What steps should you take if you feel dizzy?
Dizziness might not be a big enough problem to take the patient to the hospital, but they should provide immediate care to the patient.
Water is the best solution for dizziness. Ginger is a good remedy for dizziness caused by motion sickness. You can take it in different forms, such as ginger tea, ground food, or ginger supplements. Vitamin C and Vitamin D treat vertigo, while Vitamin E reduces blood circulation issues. Iron treats anemia and soothes dizziness.
Medications that treat dizziness include diuretics, anticholinergics, and antihistamines. Some people opt for acupuncture or physical therapy to manage dizzy spells. Frequent bouts of dizziness can impact your everyday life, and you may want to avoid stepping out of your home to stay safe. Thus, it is mandatory to get yourself treated. Also, always have a close ally with you in case you have an episode outdoors.