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

[jbiz]

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..

[margypops]

I have had similar in the past has gone for the Moment, but I found it was yo do with the Low Blood sugar I am not diabetic but do get Hypoglecemia, and eating effects it , get your Blood suger level tested ,I also got palipations and found them worse when I was anxious.

[mothbhai]

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?

[luv2teachkidz]

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.

[bgabriel]

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.