Lightheaded During Workouts: When To See a Healthcare Provider
Don't ignore a feeling of lightheadedness when you exercise.
Medically reviewed by Katrina Carter, DPT
While exercise generally benefits your physical and mental health, you might be worried when you start feeling sick and dizzy during exercise. If you're becoming dizzy even during light exercise, it may be a sign you need to see a healthcare provider.
That dizziness can happen because of a too-intense workout or a symptom of health conditions like heart and lung diseases. Learn more about the causes of dizziness during exercise and when to seek further care when you start feeling lightheaded.
Dehydration
Dizziness is one of the severe signs that you're dehydrated. Other severe dehydration symptoms include:
A lack of urination
Dark yellow urine
Delirium or confusion
Dry, shriveled skin
Irritability
Rapid breathing or heartbeat
Shock from a lack of blood flow in the body
Sunken eyes
Thirstiness
Unconsciousness
Ensure you drink enough water throughout the day. The water you need will vary based on age, sex, and pregnancy or breastfeeding status. You'll also want to have water on hand during your workout to replace any fluids you sweat out.
Low Blood Sugar
One review explained that people could experience various symptoms, including dizziness and lightheadedness, due to inadequate calorie intake before exercise.
According to the researchers, low blood sugar is one of the possible effects. Exercise uses a lot of energy, and you may feel dizzy if you haven't appropriately eaten beforehand.
Medical Conditions
Many medical-related issues can cause lightheadedness, including:
Brain tumors
Certain medications
Diabetes
Heart, lung, and inner ear diseases
Low blood pressure
Here's what you should know about some of the most common health conditions that may be the root of dizziness or lightheadedness while exercising.
Balance Disorders
Conditions that cause balance problems can cause lightheadedness associated with exercise. Those conditions may include:
Inner ear disorders
Stroke
Those conditions can cause worsening symptoms, increasing your risk of falling while exercising. Treatment can help alleviate symptoms, and a physical therapist can teach you how to exercise safely.
Diabetes
Diabetes causes high blood sugar. You can regulate your blood sugar with diet and medicines like insulin. For people with diabetes, exercise can cause low blood sugar, especially if you haven't adjusted your diet or medication before exercising.
If you have diabetes, talk to a healthcare provider about managing your blood sugar when exercising.
Heart Disease
Dizziness during a workout could signal an underlying heart problem. Those problems may include:
Arrhythmia, an irregular heart rate
Congestive heart failure (CHF), a condition when your heart can't pump enough blood with a lot of oxygen in it throughout the body
Low blood pressure
Lung Disease
Lung diseases can make you feel like your head is spinning when you work out. One possible cause is exercise-induced asthma, which causes shortness of breath or chest tightness. Exercising can also make you feel short of breath and lightheaded if you have chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).
Not Breathing Effectively
Feeling sick and dizzy during exercise might be based on how you breathe. If you're not getting enough air while you're active, it can be a form of dysfunctional breathing (DB) called hyperventilation syndrome (HVS).
HVS is when you experience acute or chronic hyperventilation, or faster breathing, while resting and exercising or if you're stressed. Though taking more breaths, you can become short of breath and lightheaded or dizzy.
Overexertion
Dizziness could also be a sign that you're overdoing it. You can get lightheaded if you push yourself too hard, primarily if you aren't used to exercising or are not pacing yourself and hydrating.
Researchers explained that excessive exercise could damage your organs, and dizziness is an early symptom. While it's great to challenge yourself in your gym sessions, going so hard that your head whirls is not a good idea.
Take it easy during workouts by going slower or doing fewer reps. Also, gradually increase your exercise time and intensity when you start.
When To See a Healthcare Provider
Exercising is beneficial for most people and even helpful for people with serious health conditions. Talk to a healthcare provider who can help you figure out what's going on—whether it's just changing your exercise habits or needing treatment for an underlying health issue.
Also, seek immediate medical attention if you have dizziness plus other symptoms, including:
Fainting and loss of alertness
Fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
Headaches or stiff neck
Head injury
Hearing loss
Irregular heartbeat
Nonstop vomiting or problems keeping fluids down
Shortness of breath
Vision or speech changes
Weakness or inability to move limbs
A Quick Review
If you feel lightheaded while exercising, you may need to pay attention to your health and safety. Different causes of dizziness during physical activity may include balance disorders, low blood sugar, or overexertion. Consult a healthcare provider if you often become dizzy during exercise or if dizziness happens with symptoms like fever, seizures, or weakness.
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Read the original article on Health.