Do You Experience Dizziness After Eating?
If you have ever experienced dizziness after eating, and it has been a one-time, or at the very most, a seldom occurrence, chances are there is little for you to worry about. There are any number of things which can make us dizzy. Sometimes dizziness can be a symptom of a disease, at other times it is simply due to the fact that something is affecting the labyrinth, the organ in the inner ear which helps us maintain our balance. Whatever that “something” may be is not necessarily disease related.
Dizziness is mild and temporary most of the time and the reason behind an occurrence of it usually remains an unknown. Medications can cause dizziness, as can a fever, tiredness and stress, and we all know what alcohol can contribute. Age is also a contributing factor to having dizzy spells, including experiencing dizziness after eating, but even in this case disease is not necessarily the root cause.
Underlying Diseases - That said, dizziness after eating often is tied to a disease, particularly if it is a frequent occurrence. Heart or circulatory problems can be significant contributors, which is one reason why occurrences of dizziness such as this should always be looked into. If one is suffering from either atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or osteoarthritis of the neck joints, a sudden movement, such as standing when getting up form the table can cause one to become lightheaded. An excessive drop in blood pressure when standing up can also cause one to become lightheaded or cause dizziness, and when it is responsible for dizziness after eating the condition is known as postprandial hypotension. Because of the blood pressure drop, the brain isn't getting the amount of blood it needs, and responds accordingly.
Hypoglycemia - The most common cause is low blood sugar, a condition known as hypoglycemia. Blood sugar or blood glucose comes from the foods we eat, primarily from the carbohydrates we ingest. Carbohydrates are converted into glucose, which in turn is a source of energy for the body and is absorbed into the blood stream. The hormone insulin then assists cells in using the glucose for energy. Glucose that is taken in excess is simply stored in the liver or in fat for use when needed.
Under normal circumstances, if an incident of hypoglycemia should happen, glycogen, the stored form of glucose, is released and blood sugar levels return to normal. If one is a diabetic however, the glycogen is not effectively broken back down into glucose, and the condition of hypoglycemia persists, often bringing with it dizziness.
When someone has diabetes, they usually are aware of it, or soon will be. Hypoglycemia is usually a temporary condition if glucose-rich food or drink is handy. Circulatory or heart-related conditions may be a little more dangerous, in that the person suffering from them is often totally unaware of their condition. In this respect, recurrences of dizziness after eating can serve as a wake-up call. Other diseases or disorders which can lead to frequent experiences of dizziness include gastritis, kidney or renal disorders, hypothyroidism or other thyroid conditions, and mental or emotional problems or disorders.
Seeing A Doctor - Should you experience dizziness after eating, only experience it one time, and have a reasonably good idea as to what you think might be the cause, there is probably little to worry about. If you can't think of a possible reason for what has happened, or if you begin experiencing the sensation with any regularity at all, it's of course best to see a physician. Before consulting with a physician, it's always a good idea to gather information on when it happened, how you felt, what you were eating, what medications you're taking, and so on. Such information will greatly help the doctor make the correct diagnosis.