Lightheadedness is a peculiar feeling in which a person feels dizzy and has tendency to faint and fall. It is a symptom you may come across in many condition, some of them may not be bothersome while some may be of clinical significance. It is not uncommon for a person to feel lightheaded and dizzy if he does not eat for a long period of time.
If you are one of them, then most probably you may be having hypoglycemia, a condition caused due to low level of sugar in the blood.
What Can Cause Lightheadedness?
There are several causes of lightheadedness. One of the most common causes of lightheadedness is skipping your meals. Besides this you may feel dizzy and lightheaded when your blood pressure is low or the level of your blood sugar is low if you are a diabetic patient. Use of certain drugs, anxiety, upper respiratory tract infection, and dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea are all other causative pathologies for it.
Even though feeling lightheaded may be assumed to be a minor ailment, you should always consult your doctor especially if the episodes are too frequent. This is because there are serious conditions such as cardiac arrhythmia or internal bleeding which may also cause such feeling.
Causes Of Lightheadedness When Hungry
Since your lightheadedness is relevance with the food, the most probable cause is hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. It occurs when the blood sugar level becomes too low. If you do not eat your meals for long period of time, normally the body cells will meet its requirement from the stored glucose in the liver. In such time, liver releases the stored glucose in the circulation and suffices cellular requirement.
The cells may also get other nutrients that will keep them working. But brain cells only relay on glucose as their energy source. Hence, falling sugar level in blood will affect the functioning of brain, producing symptoms such as lightheadedness and fainting spells.
Symptoms Of Lightheadedness When Hungry
Some people may withstand being hungry for hours without any problem, even if their blood sugar level drops. Their body is able to adjust accordingly. However, each one is different and few of them may experience symptoms of lightheadedness accompanied with other symptoms of hypoglycemia such as intense weakness, sweating, nausea, excessive hunger, irritability and headache.
Some people may also suffer from disorientation and may slip into coma. This usually occurs in diabetics who are on anti-diabetic medicine and insulin therapy. After taking their medicine if they miss eating their meals they are likely to suffer from hypoglycemia and lightheadedness within few hours.
Treatment For Lightheadedness Due To Hunger
The simple solution when your head feels light and dizzy because of hunger is to eat or drink something that contains simple sugar. Eat foods that can be digested easily so that the sugar is replenished quickly in the blood. Drink a glass of any juice that contains sugar. Eat a light snack or eat a sandwich if you are not able to find proper meal.
The main aim is to bring your sugar level back to normal. Lightheadedness is also a symptom of dehydration so drink a glass of lemon juice containing sugar and salt. You can also drink a sports drink if lemon juice is not available.