Dizziness after eating can be a sign of postprandial hypoglycemia, kidney or thyroid disease, gastrointestinal diseases, heart disease, mental illnesses, or medication side effects. Keeping a log of foods eaten and symptoms can help diagnose the underlying problem, and doctors can run diagnostic tests to determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment.
Dizziness after eating can be associated with a number of medical problems, most commonly postprandial hypoglycemia, in which blood sugar levels drop after eating. People who notice dizziness and lightheadedness developing after meals should see a doctor for an evaluation, as it can be a sign of a serious underlying medical problem. In other cases, patients may be being treated for a condition without being aware that feeling this way after eating is a common symptom.
In addition to postprandial hypoglycemia, dizziness after eating may be associated with kidney or thyroid disease. Either way, disruptions to normal function can lead to blood chemistry imbalance, potentially contributing to dizziness. Food changes blood chemistry as the metabolism kicks in to process it, and the patient may feel unwell after meals. Nausea and vomiting may also occur.
Gastrointestinal diseases, including gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining, and acid reflux, can also cause dizziness after eating. Symptoms may get worse over time, and the patient usually also feels pain in the abdomen and upper chest. Heart disease can include dizziness as a symptom, as can some mental illnesses. Emotionally distressed people can develop disordered eating habits, sometimes contributing to food-related dizziness. Additionally, some medications are linked to dizziness and lightheadedness, and sometimes eating can be a trigger.
People who notice dizziness after eating may want to keep a log, noting the foods eaten and how long it takes for the dizziness to set in. This can sometimes provide important diagnostic clues for a doctor evaluating a patient. If dizziness occurs at other times or patients notice problems such as fainting, feeling generally tired or distorted vision, these should also be noted and discussed with a doctor. Any increase in symptom severity should be discussed with a doctor to see if you need to come in for a visit.
Doctors can run a variety of diagnostic tests to find out why a patient feels dizzy after eating. These can include blood sugar tests, including tests after fasting and after eating. Endoscopy of the esophagus and stomach may be recommended to check for signs of inflammation and disease. Other diagnostic options can be explored if needed. Treatments can range from simply changing a medication to eliminate side effects to providing hypoglycemia treatments to control blood sugar with diet, exercise, medications, and other measures.
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