Diet and Nutrition

Feel lightheaded, dizzy, bit nauseous, wobbly

04/18/2007

Question:

Hello,
First i would like to thank you for your time. I am 24/male, in reletivly good physical shape, i work out regularly and have a pretty good diet(atleast i think)
The past few days i have felt light headed, slightly dizzy, a little nautious, though not to the point of throwing up or even close just a odd feeling, and maybe a little wobbly.
I cant figure out why, perhaps im not getting neough of something, or perhaps too much of something, im thinking of going to the pharmacy and grabbing am ulti vitamine or something i would like to know if you perhaps know of something specific associated with that set of symptoms.
It may also be itneresting to note that this seems to occur more later in the day, yesterday i was fine for the better part of the day then suddenly just felt like this, but today it has been ever since an hour or two after i woke up although the feeling is much less then what it was. I thought perhaps it was low blood preasure so i took some ginseng which i have in an extract form to boost it but it didnt seem to help.
Im sorry if my description of the symptoms isnt that great, their just very very strange, makes me feel like i have no control, the firs time i happened it almost felt like an over-dose, i once a long time ago took too many pain killers for a headache that just wouldnt go away and felt a very similar way, its the best way i have to describe it.
I live in canada and o i dont have a family doctor, it would probably be more likely to find burried tresure in my backyard then to find a doctor so i hoping perhaps you could help shed some light on this.
I really appriciate your time and help.

Answer:

Thanks for your question. The symptoms you describe could be related to dehydration, or simple exhaustion from too much exercise, and too little food and/or sleep. It is possible you could have a mineral deficiency (such as iron), but the only way you would know this, would be to be examined by a physician and have iron studies (blood work) done. I find it hard to believe that doctors are so hard to come by in Canada! Surely, if you are feeling this lousy, you would seek medical help.

A multivitamin (men's formula) certainly can't hurt you to take once a day. In the meantime, be sure to drink water 15 minutes before, during and after exercise lasting longer than an hour to stay hydrated. Since I don't know your height, weight or exercise regimen, I can't tell you how many calories you need per day. You may wish to check out the My Pyramid web site to evaluate your own diet and assess your calorie needs. The web site is below. Good luck!

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Response by:

Lisa Cicciarello Andrews, MEd, RD, LD
Adjunct Faculty
University of Cincinnati