Aa
MedHelp.org will cease operations on May 31, 2024. It has been our pleasure to join you on your health journey for the past 30 years. For more info, click here.
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

why do i feel lightheaded sometimes after meals even when im sitting down

why do i feel light headed after meals and sometimes i feel so even when im sitting down and not even eating. I did an ECG and an echocardiogram on my heart it was normal, but somedays i feel light headed especially during mid-day, even when im sitting down. My heart races sometimes but it`s mainly caused by me worrying if im gonna faint or die. It sometimes is accompanied by slight head aches, it lasts for anytime betweeen 15mins-1hr. I was a chronic smoker but i have stopped smoking for 3 months now, so would this be a reason?


This discussion is related to Light headedness after eating..
49 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hi I also feel light headed after I eat any meal light or heavy or healthy. I just turned 31 and ive gone to the ER 3 times in the last 6 months, it all starts with a stomach pain I go to the bathroom I feel like vomiting and a throbing head ache takes over followed by my heart beat racing fast, I feel as if I am gonna pass out or die!! And saliva starts to decrees to the point I have none. Everytime I go to the ER they check my heart with a machine they do blood work blood presure sugar levals and find nothing!! It is very stressfull to no something must be wrong but the doctors find nothing... Someone please help this is very scary!!! I feel like im going to die!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have these feeling too, sometimes before eating and sometimes after after eating, even i tried to limit my diet.. Lately i found out that not eating to much oily foods, and sea foods help me not to get dizzy, I stopped eating too much fatty foods and processed foods..

And having chalistenics exercises or daily exercise get me more ok than before..

exercises that's makes you sweat really helps. (but if you have heart problem walking and stretching helps.. but first of all consult doctor first)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've had these symptoms too, and that is why I went online to look for an answer. I had bloodwork done last year to find out the reason why, but they came back normal. As you said, I feel lightheaded and strange after my first meal and less as the day goes on. I don't feel dizzy before I eat only after. I suspect it depends on what I eat or drink. I like hot tea with sugar, and I think the sugar in the tea spikes my blood sugar. I can't even touch yogurt or Raisin Bran, because these make me lethargic. I've been eating egg sandwiches a lot for breakfast, because these give me the most energy without making me feel sluggish. My grandma is a diabetic, so I wonder if this is an indicator that I might get Diabetes down the road.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
In case you are still following this thread, what was the answer to your problems?
I hope you are feeling good now.
I'm having similar problems, did a lot of tests (EEG, MRI, MRA, ECG, Holter, blood tests, etc) and don't have an answer after about 4 months. I'm looking for any direction that I can suggest to my doctors.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had this happen on several occasions and even went through all the same heart tests you went through.  It is a very scary feeling!  It  turned out that I have hypoglycemia.  It is specifically known as reactive hypoglycemia as it happens as a result of eating.  I had a glucose tolerance test done where they make you drink a soda-like drink that has a high sugar content and then they take your blood every so often after you consume it to see what your blood glucose levels do. Mine took a dive into the mid 40's and the lab technician had to move me to a room with a call button as he was afraid I might pass out.  My levels ended up coming back up on their own, but if they wouldn't have, they would have had to give me something to eat to get them back on track.

Something you could try when you have these dizzy spells is to drink a little orange juice, suck on a piece of candy or even eat a cracker and see if that helps.  If it is happening because your blood glucose levels are too low, these things will bring you back very quickly.  

You may also want to keep in mind, that high blood glucose levels give you about the same feeling.  It might be wise to get yourself checked for diabetes. You can actually get a blood glucose monitor very cheap these days and test your own blood glucose levels when you have that dizzy feeling.

Hope you find some answers soon.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have also started having these symptoms in the last 1 week. Dizzyness, and difficulty in applying my mind right after meals. More severe after breakfast, and then it becomes less obvious during subsequent meals. The dizziness is sometime accompanied by palpitations/ throbbing in the neck.

I am 35, 77 kg, and am relatively active (gym 2-3 times a week). I have no other problems, and am not on any medication. My father has type 2 diabetes, so I have been worried that I'll get it too. When I started getting these dizzy spells, I suspected reactive hypo.

I visited my GP, and told her about my symptoms. Since I did not have the classical diabetes symptoms, she said it was not likely diabetes, and did a test. It was exactly 2 hours after my bf, and the level came to 76 - well within normal ranges - but a bit low.

Not fully satisfied, I started checking my bg regularly using my father's meter, and my readings are averaging 110 fasting and between 105 and 120 2 hours after breakfast. Strangely, I have never had a reading less than 100 on my father's meter, so the 76 at the GPs was a huge outlier (could the GPs or my father's meter be wrongly calibrated?).

I am not totally confused, and need some advice. I am considering:

1. Ask my GP for a reference to a diabetes specialist
2. Get a new Glucose meter

Does anyone with similar symptoms have had any further learning on the cause for this condition?
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Gastroenterology Community

Popular Resources
Learn which OTC medications can help relieve your digestive troubles.
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
Discover common causes of and remedies for heartburn.
This common yet mysterious bowel condition plagues millions of Americans
Don't get burned again. Banish nighttime heartburn with these quick tips
Get answers to your top questions about this pervasive digestive problem