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Suggest Treatment For Dizzy Spells In A Diabetic Patient
Question: Yes, I am also diabetic only taking metformin. I have been having weak spells before bowel movement as I mentioned before. My daughter, a dietician, said I may have diabetic dumping syndrome which seems to fit. Since the heart episode, I take Metamucil morning and night, I have added a stool softener in afternoon. Should I eliminate any of these or add something else?
Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back, and thank you for asking me again!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Yes your symptoms may be caused or aggravated from diabetes. It's a well known that diabetic patient has a more pronounced vasovagal reflex, which is manifested with hypotension, profuse sweating and faint (syncope, sinusal arrest).
However is essential to do some examinations to find out what is causing your symptoms. If you were my patient I would recommend to do:
- Blood sugar levels profile (including fasting glucose and two hour after eating levels, glycosylated hemoglobine).
- Holter monitoring
- Cardiac echo and doppler of the neck arteries (carotid arteries)
- Tilt test
This examinations are essential to exclude any cardio-vascular problems that may be corrected in time.
If all these exams will be normal, than your problems are definitely caused by a pronounced vasovagal reflex. In these case I would add some suggestions (to the previous suggestions):
- Use duphalac as a stool softener
- Use simetichone to reduce stomach and bowel gas (distention)
- Use antispastic (buscopan) to relieve bowel pain.
- Use chamomile tea
- Sit on bed 5 min before standing up
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
p.s: If you have more questions please don't hesitate to ask me again.
Following answer to your query...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back, and thank you for asking me again!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Yes your symptoms may be caused or aggravated from diabetes. It's a well known that diabetic patient has a more pronounced vasovagal reflex, which is manifested with hypotension, profuse sweating and faint (syncope, sinusal arrest).
However is essential to do some examinations to find out what is causing your symptoms. If you were my patient I would recommend to do:
- Blood sugar levels profile (including fasting glucose and two hour after eating levels, glycosylated hemoglobine).
- Holter monitoring
- Cardiac echo and doppler of the neck arteries (carotid arteries)
- Tilt test
This examinations are essential to exclude any cardio-vascular problems that may be corrected in time.
If all these exams will be normal, than your problems are definitely caused by a pronounced vasovagal reflex. In these case I would add some suggestions (to the previous suggestions):
- Use duphalac as a stool softener
- Use simetichone to reduce stomach and bowel gas (distention)
- Use antispastic (buscopan) to relieve bowel pain.
- Use chamomile tea
- Sit on bed 5 min before standing up
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
p.s: If you have more questions please don't hesitate to ask me again.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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