Why am I getting dizzy?

[BarHugger]

Hi Os

 

It is good if you can eliminate the hypovolemia and possible sodium loss. Both of these can have an influence on your BP regulating mechanisms.

 

If all your physiology is normal, you might find the following articles (a bit old - 1993, 2003) interesting:

 

http://jp.physoc.org.../2/601.full.pdf

 

http://jp.physoc.org...1.full.pdf html

 

Pressure up and keep moving.

 

Extra:

 

http://athletewithstent.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Fadel-2008-Baroreflexes-Rest-Exercise.pdf

Edited January 8, 2014 by BarHugger

[SwissVan]

Over the last few months I've (and the biokineticist) noticed that I get dizzy getting upright after doing squats (especially) or during boot camp type exercises at the start of the runs between the squats / sit ups / push ups.

 

It also happens from time to time between running intervals, and even some times during cycling, stopping at a red traffic light after a hard interval.

 

I decided to go to the GP, and my blood pressure was found to be high. Sent to the cardiologist, found my blood pressure to be high (150/90 at that time).

 

The cardiologist's findings were:

• no hypertrophy,
  
• no isceaemic changes,
  
• non-dilated left ventriclae + normal systolic function,
  
• diastolic function, septum, wall motion, valves, right ventricular size and function are all normal.
  
• Troponin levels normal,
  
• Ascending aorta normal,
  
• Left atrium size normal,
  
• cardiac enzymes normal
  

 

In summary: No evidence of 'target organ' damage, heart is structurally normal with no evidence of underlying ischemic heart disease

 

I have a history of highish (just below levels for medication) blood pressure. The GP sent me packing to a cardiologist who did a bunch of test (stress ECG, heart sonar, blood tests) and found that my blood pressure is high but everything else is normal.

Put me on medication (dapamax), which sucked the life out of me. I stopped for two days, felt better and tried again. Life sucked out of me again. Phoned the cardiologist, receptionist said he'll send me a new prescription.

 

Decided that since I cannot "trou met die handskoen", nor "koop eiendom met die handskoen" neither can he treat me in that manner.

 

Went back to the GP who agreed I can go off the medicines first, and come back later (I was under a lot of stress leading up to this point)

 

I've started training again towards the middle of December - life got in the way of that in 2013....

 

Anyway, went back to the GP today, who confirmed that all the BP measurements I took during end Nov and Dec indicating my BP improved to the point of being normal (113/80 ish, with a pulse of <50 when doing the test) is correct.

 

So now I am officially not on BP medication, however I still get the occasional dizzy spell during exercise....

 

Anybody willing to venture a guess / idea / suggestion, as I am out of ideas....?

 

I'm just a mechanic and no Dr so don't understand all the big words mentioned previously...

 

What about a blood supply problem / restriction to the brain...i.e. if the arteries supplying blood to the brain are restricted for some reason? Perhaps not severely restricted but enough to cause dizziness at certain moments.

[Dirtracker]

Over the last few months I've (and the biokineticist) noticed that I get dizzy getting upright after doing squats (especially) or during boot camp type exercises at the start of the runs between the squats / sit ups / push ups.

 

It also happens from time to time between running intervals, and even some times during cycling, stopping at a red traffic light after a hard interval.

 

I decided to go to the GP, and my blood pressure was found to be high. Sent to the cardiologist, found my blood pressure to be high (150/90 at that time).

 

The cardiologist's findings were:

• no hypertrophy,
  
• no isceaemic changes,
  
• non-dilated left ventriclae + normal systolic function,
  
• diastolic function, septum, wall motion, valves, right ventricular size and function are all normal.
  
• Troponin levels normal,
  
• Ascending aorta normal,
  
• Left atrium size normal,
  
• cardiac enzymes normal
  

In summary: No evidence of 'target organ' damage, heart is structurally normal with no evidence of underlying ischemic heart disease

 

I have a history of highish (just below levels for medication) blood pressure. The GP sent me packing to a cardiologist who did a bunch of test (stress ECG, heart sonar, blood tests) and found that my blood pressure is high but everything else is normal.

Put me on medication (dapamax), which sucked the life out of me. I stopped for two days, felt better and tried again. Life sucked out of me again. Phoned the cardiologist, receptionist said he'll send me a new prescription.

 

Decided that since I cannot "trou met die handskoen", nor "koop eiendom met die handskoen" neither can he treat me in that manner.

 

Went back to the GP who agreed I can go off the medicines first, and come back later (I was under a lot of stress leading up to this point)

 

I've started training again towards the middle of December - life got in the way of that in 2013....

 

Anyway, went back to the GP today, who confirmed that all the BP measurements I took during end Nov and Dec indicating my BP improved to the point of being normal (113/80 ish, with a pulse of <50 when doing the test) is correct.

 

So now I am officially not on BP medication, however I still get the occasional dizzy spell during exercise....

 

Anybody willing to venture a guess / idea / suggestion, as I am out of ideas....?

 

Check an E & T to ensure that you do not have an inner ear infection. Speaking from experience.

[Ratty]

I suffer from fairly low blood pressure. Normally its around 110/64, but the moment I get a sinus infection or any other illness it will drop.

 

The dizzy spells for me start when the first figure drops below 108.

[Agteros]

Check an E & T to ensure that you do not have an inner ear infection. Speaking from experience.

I've had the symptoms for more than a year. It was only with the regular UFO sessions it became an issue.

Middle ear for more than a year? eish

[the racing bug]

heres my 2 cents...this type of thing normally happens when your heart rate spikes to zone 5ish, then you stop..dizzyness creeps in....so keep cycling or running after the zone 5ish workout and bring it down gradually..

 

to do interval training....u should have a good level of base training as well before u start ur next phase of intervals..

 

this will prevent the dizzyness - just my thoughts on what worked for me at my training buddies...good luck..

[Sniffie]

I am no doctor and might be grilled by Latent and co, but are you taking in enough sodium (salt)? I have normal to fairly low BP and feel the dizziness after a long hot ride. A salty broth normally sorts it out for me within half an hour.

[Agteros]

Extra:

 

http://athletewithst...st-Exercise.pdf

 

Thanks very interesting, did not read thorugh the whole document - lack of medeical technical vocab this side

Having done endurance type of sports all my life (middle distances & cross country from primary school days) this seems quite feasible. Glad to see that all I am is reasonably fit

[BarHugger]

heres my 2 cents...this type of thing normally happens when your heart rate spikes to zone 5ish, then you stop..dizzyness creeps in....so keep cycling or running after the zone 5ish workout and bring it down gradually..

 

to do interval training....u should have a good level of base training as well before u start ur next phase of intervals..

 

this will prevent the dizzyness - just my thoughts on what worked for me at my training buddies...good luck..

 

What you are referring to is generally called "blood pooling".

 

Quote:

"According to the American Council on Exercise, if you suddenly stop after doing exercise that gets your heart rate up you can be at the risk of getting Blood Pooling Syndrome. During strenuous activity, your heart sends blood to the muscles because of their increased need for oxygen and nutrients. The blood vessels in your legs and feet expand causing more blood to flow into your lower extremities. Blood Pooling Syndrome is when you suddenly stop without taking time to cool down causing your heart rate to drop abruptly. This can cause blood to stay and pool in your lower body instead of circulating back to the heart (and brain)."

 

It is often seen with athletes who do very strenous or high intensity workouts (anaerobic interval training). One such an activity where the anaerobic capacity of the leg musculature can be evaluated is the 30sec Wingate Anaerobic Cycle Test. You cycle for 30sec against a resistance (body weight determined) as fast and as hard as you can. You often see athletes experience a spell of dizziness after such a test if not allowed to gradually decrease the intensity after the 30sec period. That is why this test is sometimes also referred to as the "Windgat-test" because once you finished it, overinflated perspectives on your ability gets a reality check.

Edited January 8, 2014 by BarHugger

[V12man]

Yup it falls right into how mine seems to respond. Never been a fan of getting up quickly, etc (Guess the body / mind subconciously knows what is good for it!). Will keep an eye on it and just work on the fitness again. Things should (hopefully) get better, otherwise I will ascribe it to lack of 'youngster-ness', and not to lack of fitness

 

You can easily test your propensity for this problem - you just need one of those backboards you swing upside down on, and a bp measuring device, and someone who knows how to operate it - there is a protocol for the formal test, but I can't remember it - getting old...

 

I think it's better ascribed as the fault of your parents... more of a genetic thing rather than an age or level of fitness thing.

 

Just be careful you don't fall over and hit your head during a dizzy spell - sit down quickly if you feel one coming on - put your feet up and you will recover quickly - alternately wear a bmx helmet all the time...

[Agteros]

 

You can easily test your propensity for this problem - you just need one of those backboards you swing upside down on, and a bp measuring device, and someone who knows how to operate it - there is a protocol for the formal test, but I can't remember it - getting old...

 

I think it's better ascribed as the fault of your parents... more of a genetic thing rather than an age or level of fitness thing.

 

Just be careful you don't fall over and hit your head during a dizzy spell - sit down quickly if you feel one coming on - put your feet up and you will recover quickly - alternately wear a bmx helmet all the time...

I'd rather hold on to the wall. Getting up from my haunches will most probably induce light headedness again.

[V12man]

I'd rather hold on to the wall.

 

Your call - but if you have a big spell you won't be standing up unless someone holds you up... just play it by ear and manage the situation appropriately - with caution.... my running partner managed to drop a kettle full of hot water on herself during a spell a couple of years ago - and has a fair amount of scarring left over from that incident - after a trip to a plastics guy - could have been worse....

[Dirtracker]

I've had the symptoms for more than a year. It was only with the regular UFO sessions it became an issue.

Middle ear for more than a year? eish

 

Not to be glib on the issue, that is your problem. I have the same symptoms and no amount of antibiotics help. Swimming is a contributor if to put your head under. Do you suffer from permanent sinusitis?

Edited January 8, 2014 by Dirtracker

[Guest Latent Blue]

I am no doctor and might be grilled by Latent and co, but are you taking in enough sodium (salt)? I have normal to fairly low BP and feel the dizziness after a long hot ride. A salty broth normally sorts it out for me within half an hour.

Its a valid point, but he had blood tests done...

[Guest Latent Blue]

Check an E & T to ensure that you do not have an inner ear infection. Speaking from experience.

 

Thats brings me to another actually important question.

 

Os. do you have/experience:

 

dizzy (loopy, feeling 'faint', light headed)

 

vertigo (you can actually see the world spin, omg, the room is actually spinnning and my eyes feel funny, i dont have balance oh damn!)

 

presyncope (its getting dark, im going, oh hell here i go, im gonna faint)

 

 

sorry but this is always how i explain it to people, have always worked for me...

[Agteros]

Thats brings me to another actually important question.

 

Os. do you have/experience:

 

dizzy (loopy, feeling 'faint', light headed)

 

vertigo (you can actually see the world spin, omg, the room is actually spinnning and my eyes feel funny, i dont have balance oh damn!)

 

presyncope (its getting dark, im going, oh hell here i go, im gonna faint)

 

 

sorry but this is always how i explain it to people, have always worked for me...

 

dizzy is more of a feeling than actual spinning walls (never been drunk, so cannot relate 100%)

If I am fit enough, I can run up a hill until I see black spots....

Never "seen darkness", however getting up from doing floor exercises at the bio I sometimes went ash white in the face, and could not concentrate on that around me. Had to stand still, close eyes and gather myself again.

 

Ash white face came (and went) as if a light switch is flicked