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What Causes Dizziness, Weakness, Lightheadedness And Heart Palpitations That Usually Reduces After Consuming Food?
Question: It has been 3 weeks since I feel dizziness, weakness, lightheadedness every hour or so, and when I eat I feel better then shortly after it comes again, sometimes I feel my heart is beating fast and my jaws and chest are trembling. I also wake up in the middle of the night so dizzy and then I eat and I feel better for a short period of time. Right before these symptoms appeared, I had a bad cold, then I felt my throat was closed and I could not breathe, so I went to a GP and he told me I have GERD. As a result, he gave me pantoprazole but I discontinued it because it made my stomach sour and I felt like puking a week after. Fast forward, regarding my dizziness I went to GI specialist and she said I could have gastritis, so she gave me dexilant 60 mg but I discontinued it because it made me feel like puking. . then I went to a ENT specialist who sent me to cervical tests and the test showed problems with my cervical system. Is it possible that my symptoms are related to my cervical system not the gastritis and why when I eat I feel better?
Brief Answer:
Two different problems present.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
There are two parts to your problem. One part seems to be due to gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux. Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as faeces. If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand, the bowel habits would not be proper.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep (fluoxetine) (long term anxiolytic and a prescription drug) (it may take time for the action to set in). Discuss this with your treating physician.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
The next part of your problem relates to the cervical problem which is possibly the cause of your dizziness, weakness and lightheadedness. You need to see a physical therapist for the same.
The cervical problem is not related to gastritis and unless the gastritis problem is resolved, you would not eat better.
Hopefully, that should help.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards.
Two different problems present.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
There are two parts to your problem. One part seems to be due to gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux. Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as faeces. If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand, the bowel habits would not be proper.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep (fluoxetine) (long term anxiolytic and a prescription drug) (it may take time for the action to set in). Discuss this with your treating physician.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
The next part of your problem relates to the cervical problem which is possibly the cause of your dizziness, weakness and lightheadedness. You need to see a physical therapist for the same.
The cervical problem is not related to gastritis and unless the gastritis problem is resolved, you would not eat better.
Hopefully, that should help.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Is the constant need to eat (to relieve the dizziness) is related to the gastritis or the cervical issue or do you think it is psychological because it makes me feel less stressed? Can the gastritis cause weakness and dizziness? Also it seems Everytime I have a PPI (like pantaprazole) it makes my stomach sour/nauseous and then I lose my appetite. Therefore I read online that melatonin and mastic gum can replace PPIs so I started taking them. will they help? if not what can replace PPIs?
Brief Answer:
Try to follow the advice I have given.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The constant urge to eat can have some association with gastritis but has no direct relation to the cervical spondylosis or dizziness. It has a psychological component and the same is also related to gastritis. This is where Prodep (fluoxetine) would help. If you are having issues with PPIs, you can skip them. I would not insist on melatonin. Mastic gum promotes the gastric motility and I have already explained the underlying pathology. You can feel free to take it. They are not a replacement for PPIs. But please follow the advice I have given.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha, General & Family Physician
Try to follow the advice I have given.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The constant urge to eat can have some association with gastritis but has no direct relation to the cervical spondylosis or dizziness. It has a psychological component and the same is also related to gastritis. This is where Prodep (fluoxetine) would help. If you are having issues with PPIs, you can skip them. I would not insist on melatonin. Mastic gum promotes the gastric motility and I have already explained the underlying pathology. You can feel free to take it. They are not a replacement for PPIs. But please follow the advice I have given.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha, General & Family Physician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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