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Aussie Barb
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| Joined: | Thu Jul 22nd, 2004 |
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Posted: Sun Nov 6th, 2005 01:52 |
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Why am I dizzy and/or fainting? What should I do?
Dizziness is due to the disease process
Many persons with Th1 inflammation report dizziness or lightheadedness both before and during their recovery on the Marshall Protocol. The initial hormonal adjustment to Benicar may be responsible. Then, later on, immunopathology may cause dizziness. See Does Benicar cause dizziness?
Dizziness is not caused by hypotension. Low blood pressure is a coincidental symptom.
Dizziness will resolve as your Th1 inflammation resolves with treatment on the Marshall Protocol.
Dr Greg Blaney MD wrote:
"With regards to 'fainting' episodes, it has been my observation of my own response and my patients that there are 2 different conditions. One is almost always postural and is benign. Being attentive to the possibility of fainting with change of position plus insuring adequate hydration and some salt intake is usually all that is necessary. Lay low, stay in bed, drink adequate fluids, eat salty foods and wait for the symptoms to wane.
Fainting may be due to neurological immunopathology
The other, IMO, is a mild seizure disorder due to neurological Herx reaction. This causes 'blacking out' which does not require postural change, is usually associated with some form of aura, and causes a transient loss of consciousness. This, I believe, is due to glial cell apoptysis (die off) and subsequent transient dysruption of neuron function. If spells are frequent or severe, an anti-epileptic, such as neurontin, may be necessary.
"Besides myself, I have had several patients who have 'blacked out'. These were not because of low blood pressure but were, I believe, a neurological event. It tends to occur in people with pre-existing neurological symptoms such as tinnitis, visual disturbance or paraesthesia. I found increasing hydration afterwards lessens after effects.
It also tends to become less frequent as one progresses and decreases the bacterial load. IMO, it is a Herx reaction affecting the electrical functioning of the brain, similar to the symptoms seen in the heart where conduction abnormalities are common in Th1 disease."
Fainting is addressed on the Chicago Conference DVDs (click here).
See What is neuro immunopathology?
Syncope
Syncope (fainting) is defined as a transient loss of consciousness with an inability to maintain postural tone that is followed by spontaneous recovery. The term syncope excludes seizures, coma, shock, or other states of altered consciousness. Cardiac syncope is associated with increased mortality, whereas vasovagal syncope is not.
Cardiac causes should be ruled out when a syncopal episode occurs.
Cough syncope
People with lung disease can pass out during a coughing spell. This is called (in medical terms) cough syncope. If you feel it coming, sit, kneel or lie down to prevent injury due to a fall.
Treatment
Adjusting Benicar and/or antibiotics is the best way to manage dizziness. Please see What to do when immunopathology (immune system reaction) is too strong.
Preventing injury
Lie down as soon as you feel lightheaded or dizzy, to keep from falling and hurting yourself if you do faint. If you're in a place where it's impossible to lie down, then sit (even if you have to slowly sink to the floor )and try to put your head between your knees. And naturally, if you're doing anything that might put you or others at risk for injury, such as driving, stop right away.
Lying on your left side will maximize blood flow to your heart and thus to your brain, and will likely keep you from actually fainting and probably relieve the sensation of lightheadedness altogether.
Situations that may exacerbate dizziness
Here are some of the most common situations that may cause lightheadedness and advice for avoiding them:
• Standing up too fast. When you stand up suddenly, blood pools in your lower extremities (your feet and lower legs). This pooling can also happen as a result of prolonged standing. If your body isn't able to adjust when you stand up, not enough blood returns to your heart from your legs and your blood pressure drops quickly, which can leave you feeling faint. If you sometimes feel faint when you stand up, avoid springing up from your chair or bed. When you're lying down, sit up slowly and stay sitting a few minutes with your legs dangling over the side of the bed. Then slowly rise from sitting to standing. If you're standing in one place for a long time, move your legs to promote circulation. Wearing support stockings can also help circulation in the lower half of your body.
• Not enough food and drink. When you don't eat enough, you can end up with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can make you feel dizzy or faint. Dehydration can have a similar affect. Make sure you stay well hydrated by drinking enough fluids. Try to keep your blood sugar from getting too low by eating small frequent meals during the day instead of three large ones. Carry healthy snacks with you so you can eat when you get hungry. Follow a Modified Low Carbohydrate Diet
• Getting overheated. Spending time in a very hot room or taking a hot bath or shower can cause your blood vessels to dilate, lowering your blood pressure and making you woozy. If you feel dizzy when you get hot, avoid hot crowded places and wear clothing in layers so you can shed some as necessary. Take warm instead of hot showers or baths, and try to keep the bathroom cool.
Natural light exposure may exacerbate dizziness. See Why does exposure to natural light increase symptoms?
• Hyperventilation. Anxiety can sometimes cause you to hyperventilate and feel faint. See also How can I control my anxiety?
• Vasovagal syncope. Some people get dizzy when they strain to cough, pee, or have a bowel movement. These actions can sometimes prompt a "vasovagal" response (this is the effect of your vagus nerve on your circulatory system): a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, leading to dizziness and fainting. Dehydration, anxiety, or pain can also trigger this type of fainting, sometimes called vasovagal syncope. It's often preceded by lightheadedness and other warning signs, such as a feeling of warmth, paleness, sweating, nausea, yawning, and hyperventilation. Paying attention to these signs and lying down immediately will often keep you from fainting.
Vertigo
Vertigo (a specific type of dizziness) is symptom, not a disease. The term vertigo refers to the sensation of spinning or whirling that occurs as a result of a disturbance in balance (equilibrium). It also may be used to describe feelings of dizziness, lightheadedness, faintness, and unsteadiness. The sensation of movement is called subjective vertigo and the perception of movement in surrounding objects is called objective vertigo.
Vertigo usually occurs as a result of a disorder in the vestibular system (i.e., structures of the inner ear, the vestibular nerve, brainstem, and cerebellum). The vestibular system is responsible for integrating sensory stimuli and movement and for keeping objects in visual focus as the body moves.
This condition is probably due to Th1 inflammation and should resolve with treatment on the MP.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a type of physical therapy used to treat vertigo. In VRT, the patient performs exercises designed to allow the brain to adapt to and compensate for whatever is causing the vertigo.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo may be treated with meclizine (Antivert®), an oral antiemetic that can be taken up to 3 times a day, or only as needed. Meclizine may cause drowsiness, dry mouth, and blurred vision.
Emergency treatment
It isn't necessary to force someone to wake up following fainting. Tell your family to make sure you are breathing and call for emergency assistance only if you do not arouse with normal stimulation of movement and noise, in a couple minutes.
Related FAQ:
Do I need to take extra salt if my BP is low?
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Barb: Dx Inflammatory Disease Endocrine Imbalance 2003| Depression| 24+ years not Dx| MP Aug04| ABC of MP| MP Search|
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Aussie Barb
Research Team
| Joined: | Thu Jul 22nd, 2004 |
| Location: | Australia |
| Posts: | 19523 |
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Posted: Mon Feb 20th, 2006 16:05 |
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Belinda wrote: coughsyncopelink
People with lung disease can pass out with a coughing spell. This is called - in medical terms - cough syncope. If you feel it coming and sit, kneel or lie down, it helps in two ways:
1) it may allow the normal flow of blood to the brain to resume, avoiding fainting and
2) it means if you fall, you won't have far to go.
____________________
Barb: Dx Inflammatory Disease Endocrine Imbalance 2003| Depression| 24+ years not Dx| MP Aug04| ABC of MP| MP Search|
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