Feeling Lightheaded? 4 Potential Causes And Cures

Written By Lizzie Weakley / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Feeling lightheaded is usually a temporary ailment that goes away soon. Most people only need to sit or lie down for a few minutes. If this is a persistent problem, though, it is the underlying sign of a bigger health problem. Here are four reasons why faintness occurs and how it can be resolved.

Dehydration

Dehydration is a lack of water and nutrients that causes thirst, dizziness, disorientation and fainting. Your body loses more water than it can replenish, which is mainly caused by excessive exposure to heat and physical overexertion. The best cure is to consume more water and replenish the cells with nourishment.

Decreased Blood Flow

Any condition that decreases the blood flow to the brain will cause feelings of being lightheaded. In some people, this occurs when they stand up too quickly. It’s a common symptom in people who have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Their heart rate increases but the blood pressure drops.

The symptoms are relieved when they sit or lie down. A POTS syndrome doctor will recommend that patients significantly increase their fluid and salt intake. They may be prescribed beta blockers or blood-related medications to cope with the condition.

Stroke or Heart Disease

The faint symptom of a pending stroke or heart disease is the result of decades of poor eating habits. A blocked artery or a leaked blood vessel are the main causes of a stroke. The causes of heart disease include atherosclerosis, which hardens the arteries and affects blood pressure.

Resolving the symptoms of these conditions must involve improving one’s unhealthy diet and lifestyle. Common tips are to avoid smoking, exercise, eat healthy, lose excessive weight and lower your blood pressure.

Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar that causes faintness is a common symptom in people with diabetes. In people without diabetes, common causes are hormone deficiencies, excessive alcohol consumption or insulin overproduction.

People with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar levels, eat healthy, exercise regularly and take their medications. People without diabetes should consume enough nutrients for healthy glucose production, reduce excessive alcohol intake or take medications if they have kidney or pituitary gland problems.

Everyone experiences common symptoms every now and then, such as nausea, vomiting, sweating and lightheadedness. When you feel bad all the time, your feelings indicate that a disease may or may not be present. First, determine the reasons why you’re experiencing the symptom and see if it’s possible to fix on your own.

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Written By:

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her three-year-old husky, Snowball.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.