Lightheadedness/dizziness from Hypoglycemia? - Hypoglycemia Message Board

RopesEnd · 11-15-2000, 02:03 PM

Hello,
I've been experiencing lightheadedness/mild dizziness for about 4 months now.
My lightheadedness lasts all day, everyday, but is quite mild at times, but during the day it will "peak and valley" - sometimes with it (at the worst times) I have mild dizziness and a mild headache.
At times it seems to get worse after eating, but other times not.
I have seen an ENT specialist, who said that she doubts it is an inner ear problem, although I am due to have an ENG at month's end to completely rule it out.
The possibility of diabetes or hypoglycemia is new for me...it was mentioned to me by a friend as something I should check out.
This lightheadedness is not a phantom illness, it is very real, but my G.P. doesn't seem to have any ideas. I had to ask HIM for the ENT appointment (he didn't even bring inner ear up as a possibility). So, yes I need a new doctor, but I also need some help in the meantime.
Can anyone give me some guidance as to whether or not this could be hypoglycemia (or diabetes)? I'm planning on getting my blood checked for it, but is there anything else I should be aware of?
I'm really beginning to wonder if my lightheadedness can be explained by this...at least it would be an answer!!!
If anyone has any ideas what else could be causing these symptoms, please let me know...
Thanks.

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 01-10-2001).]

jrobles · 02-10-2001, 11:21 PM

RopesEnd,
I have been suffering from lightheadiness since June of 2000. I have had plenty of time to search "Lightheaded" on the internet with hopes of finding the right site, however with no luck(I was lucky to find this). My doctor is stumped!! I have had numerous test including mri, ct, eeg and numerous blood test. Before recieving each of the results I worry myself sick. I am not waiting on a hepatitus result. Throughout my 8 months of feeling lightheaded I thought I had a throid problem, brain cancer or tumor, als , the list goes on and on. My wife says that I am a hypochondriac. It is just hard for me to explain "wooziness". Wooziness for me feels like one to many cups of coffe or like having a two beer buzz. I am constantly lightheaded throughtout each day with very frequent peaks and valleys. If a 10 meant feeling normal again, I feel like a 9 when I first wake up in the morning, 8 as soon as I leave for school, 5 while I am at school and then as soon as I get home I feel like a 9 again. I know it looks like stress but I just know that it isn't. It is so frustrating explaing this because lightheadedness is just a symptom, one that can't be measured. I hope we both get over this.
woozy in az

Marie55 · 02-11-2001, 03:59 PM

A light head can be caused from lack of oxygen to the brain. Improper breathing may be a factor. If you are a "sighing" breather, "shallow" breather, "hyperventilator", "hidden hyperventilator", this could be part of the problem.

It is no fun living in fuzz land.

Pay attention to the way you breathe, be sure and breathe with tummy going in and out, not shoulders up and down. Take deep breath and slow exhale. When you take a short breath and/or fast exhale you will not have sufficient carbon dioxide.

A balance of carbon dioxide is needed in order for the red carpusles to release oxygen to the vital organs. Oxygen is in the red carpusles but cannot be released causing body to panic, causing adrenalin spurts or what we may commonly refer to as "fight or flight" syndrome. Oxygen deprivation to vital organs results in the brain not recieving sufficient oxygen and thus the light head.

Majority of doctors never look for this condition. Took approximately 7 years to find a hypertension specialist that recognized my problem immediately.

Search internet for "hyperventilation" to learn more about how to properly breathe.

There is a simple solution to replenish carbon dioxide but since I am not a medical professional I have no idea if it would hurt a person who is not CO2 deficient or not.

The remedy for me was to rebreathe in a paper lunch sack 5 minutes every hour for 3 months then reduce and have continued using sack every 2 or 3 hours during the day to keep a balance of CO2.

Ask you doctor to check for this condition.

Oldguy · 02-11-2001, 05:15 PM

HiMarie and Rope's End, Hyperventilation is not too common, but all of the conditions about breathing in your post are accurate. When you hyperventilate, there is too much CO2 lost, and it is CO2 that regulates the heart rate. Low CO2 equals slow shallow heart rate, which equals low blood pressure and slow delivery of blood and oxygen to the brain. To find if this is the problem, check your blood pressure during one of these periods. If you can't do this, check your heart rate...minimum should be about 70 beats/min.
Hypoglycemia, or hyperinsulemia, is a real possibility. A blood sugar check with a glucose monitor is the way to catch this. Blood glucose should never fall below 50. If it does, fatigue, light headedness, sweating,and nausea are the common symptoms. However, high blood sugar can do the same and will include headache. Many diabetics don't know they have it because it's diagnosed as flu without a simple blood glucose check. My wife had diabetes for a year and I finally demanded a blood glucose check in the emergency room when they told me to take her home because it was just the flu. Her blood glucose turned out to be over 560. Normal should be no higher than 110. Don't give up on the search...Pray for an answer and it will come to pass...God bless and help you, Oldguy