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Many people experience dizziness before meals due to low blood glucose. Dizziness after eating is less common but can also be caused by certain medical conditions or food sensitivities.
1. The relationship between dizziness and eating
Eating often helps relieve dizziness by increasing blood sugar. So, when you feel dizzy after eating a main meal or snack, be mindful (not to mention feeling nauseous).
There are many potential causes of dizziness after eating. Most of the patients have treatment options and help resolve the vertigo quickly.
2. Factors explaining dizziness after eating
2.1. Low blood sugar Low blood sugar can cause dizziness. Blood sugar usually rises after a meal. The spike in blood sugar after eating is why people who feel dizzy before eating often feel better afterward.
When blood sugar drops after a meal and causes dizziness after eating, reactive hypoglycemia can occur.
People with diabetes or prediabetes may experience low blood sugar after a meal because their body produces too much insulin.
However, people without diabetes can also experience hypoglycemia. For example, people who have had gastric bypass surgery may digest foods too quickly, making it difficult for the body to absorb glucose from them. A rare deficiency of certain digestive enzymes can also lower blood sugar.
Doctors can use tests to identify diabetes in people with the disease and prediabetes in people at risk.
Eating smaller, more frequent meals with lower sugar content can also help people who experience dizziness after eating because of low blood sugar.
2.2. Low blood pressure Sometimes, a person's blood pressure drops suddenly after eating, postprandial hypotension. People with high blood pressure are more likely to have this symptom because high blood pressure can cause hardening and blockages in the arteries. These changes make it harder for blood to flow to the brain as blood also flows to the digestive system. Reduced blood flow to the brain can lead to dizziness.
Hạ huyết áp sau ăn làm giảm lưu lượng máu lên não và có thể dẫn tới chóng mặt
Older adults, people with Parkinson's disease, and people with nervous system disorders may also be more susceptible to postprandial hypotension.
In many cases, treating high blood pressure can be helpful. Drinking more water before meals and eating more often but smaller meals, such as six small meals instead of three large ones, can also improve symptoms.
2.3. Diabetes medications Some diabetes medications, including insulin, can cause dizziness when they lower blood sugar too much. A person who takes the medicine just before a meal may experience dizziness after the meal as the medicine takes effect.
People with diabetes who frequently experience dizziness after meals should talk to their doctor about changing their medication, taking a lower dose, or adjusting their eating schedule.
2.4. Food, drink, and alcohol Certain chemicals in alcohol can make a person feel dizzy after drinking alcohol with a meal.
Food sensitivities can make some people feel dizzy or nauseous. Certain drugs and chemicals, including caffeine and alcohol, can also cause dizziness after meals.
People who frequently experience dizziness after eating might consider keeping a record of these episodes and taking note of what they ate before each episode.
Over time, it may become apparent that a particular food or food group is causing the dizziness.
2.5. Stand up immediately after sitting Most people sit to eat a meal and then stand up afterwards. Some people experience a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing. When this happens, the problem is not with the meal itself, but with the abrupt transition from a sitting position to a standing position. Canker sores occur when a person transitions from a sitting to a standing position, but most people call this haste.
Some potential causes include: nervous system disorders, dehydration, low blood sugar, heart problems that make it hard for the heart to pump enough blood when a person stands, high blood pressure medications, pregnancy , exposure to extreme heat, infection or fever, Diabetes, blocked blood vessels, anemia, bleeding somewhere in the body, such as in the stomach.
In people with only occasional drops in blood pressure, drinking more fluids may be helpful. If not, it's important to see a doctor to make sure there isn't a serious underlying medical condition.
Chuyển đổi tư thế đột ngột là một trong những nguyên nhân dẫn đến tình trạng chóng mặt
A single case of dizziness after eating usually does not mean a person has a serious medical condition. It could be a temporary change in a person's blood sugar or blood pressure, or something in their meal, causing the dizziness. There is no need to see a doctor for short-term dizziness.
Pregnant women who experience dizziness after meals often find that this symptom improves after giving birth. However, if the dizziness is severe, persistent, or interferes with a woman's activities, she should call her doctor.
Rarely, very low blood pressure can cut off blood supply to the brain. When this happens, it can cause an ischemic stroke, which can be life-threatening. A person with symptoms of a stroke should go to the emergency room.
Symptoms of a stroke include: numbness or weakness on one side of the face or body, inability to smile or move your mouth normally, sagging face, confusion, severe headache, difficulty walking, problems with eyesight
A person who frequently gets dizzy after meals or eats sweets a lot gets dizzy or eats sweets gets dizzy should consult a doctor. People with diabetes who experience dizziness after meals may need to adjust their medication or eating schedule.
3. Prevention
A person can sometimes prevent dizziness by drinking water before and during meals. Several strategies can help reduce dizziness after eating. People can try the following:
Drink more water before and during meals. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and high-sodium meals, which can increase the risk of dehydration. Sit or lie down for 30-60 minutes after a meal. Eat less easily digestible carbohydrates, such as white bread and pasta. The body quickly digests these foods, and this can cause low blood pressure after a meal.
Uống nhiều nước trước và trong bữa ăn có thể ngăn ngừa tình trạng chóng mặt
Eat smaller but more frequent meals. Some people find that eating every 2–3 hours helps reduce post-meal dizziness. Ask your doctor about adjusting your diabetes or blood pressure medication. Manage and treat any chronic medical conditions, especially diabetes and high blood pressure. Follow a healthy lifestyle to reduce your risk of blood vessel problems. Regular exercise, eating a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients, and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of some conditions that can cause dizziness after eating. Many conditions, ranging from benign to very serious, can cause dizziness after meals. The cause cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms alone. So it's important for someone who frequently experiences dizziness after eating to see a doctor. By using some simple tests, a doctor can often determine the cause, recommend treatment options, and provide peace of mind.
Hope the above information has provided you with more options and answers why you are dizzy after eating sweets. Wish you always have a scientific diet and improve your work productivity and improve your life.
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References: healthline.com, medicalnewstoday.com
