Dizziness is a very common symptom, often described as a feeling of loss of balance, spinning, lightheadedness, or a feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning. Dizziness is not a disease but a manifestation of many different disorders or pathologies, especially involving the vestibular, neurological, cardiovascular, or metabolic systems.
There are four main types of dizziness: vertigo, dysequilibrium, syncope, and lightheadedness.
- Vertigo: An illusion of movement, classically described as “spinning.” Dizziness reflects some level of dysfunction of the vestibular system.
- Disequilibrium: A disturbance in balance or coordination. Observation of the patient’s gait and careful neurological examination are essential to assess for loss of balance.
- Syncope: A feeling of impending loss of consciousness.
- Dizziness: The feeling in your head is not dizziness, fainting, or related to walking.
Causes of dizziness during exercise
Dizziness during exercise is quite common and can happen to anyone, from beginners to professional athletes.
Here are some common causes of dizziness during exercise:
1. Postural hypotension (orthostatic hypotension)
When you stand up or change positions suddenly (such as from lying to standing, bending over and then standing up), blood does not circulate to the brain in time, causing temporary lack of blood to the brain, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness.
2. Hypoglycemia
Exercising on an empty stomach or not eating enough can cause blood sugar to drop suddenly. Low blood sugar makes the brain lack energy, causing dizziness, tremors, fatigue, and nausea.
3. Dehydration
Sweating a lot during exercise causes you to lose water and electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. This affects nerve, muscle and blood pressure activity, which can cause dizziness, cramps, and fatigue.
4. Overtraining or too fast
When you exercise at a higher intensity than your body can handle, or without a full warm-up, your heart and breathing cannot adapt in time, which can cause a temporary lack of oxygen to the brain, leading to dizziness.
5. Vestibular disorders or inner ear diseases
Some people with vestibular disorders, otitis media, or ear, nose, and throat diseases are more likely to get dizzy when changing positions or moving their heads quickly.
6. Hyperventilation
Breathing too fast or too shallow during exercise (especially when anxious or stressed) causes CO₂ in the blood to decrease, constricting blood vessels in the brain and leading to dizziness, numbness of the lips, and numbness of the fingertips.
What is the best strategy to quickly relieve dizziness during exercise?
Here are four strategies you can use to relieve your symptoms:
1. Stop whatever you are doing
It doesn’t matter if you are still in the middle of a workout. You should stop. Find a place to rest and recover. It takes a while for your energy to return. You may even start to feel dizzy until you eventually pass out.
The problem is that you have experienced dizziness in the past. You ignored the feeling because it was mild. You may even believe that it was a normal part of the process. If you feel it more intense this time, you need to stop. Forget about your fitness goals for a while because there is an emergency that you need to deal with.
2. Lie down until you feel better
The best way to overcome dizziness is to lie down. Don’t move until you feel better. This may take a while, depending on how severe the problem is. Close your eyes if you feel like everything around you is moving in a circular motion. It only takes a few minutes for things to get better.
3. Drink plenty of water
One reason you may feel dizzy is because your body doesn’t have enough fluids. Replace the lost fluids. Ask someone to get you some water. Choose warm water because it will help you get rid of the dizziness. Stay away from sugary drinks or energy drinks. You can’t get your energy back by drinking these intoxicating drinks. Even if they do, you’ll crash again in a few minutes.
4. Move slowly
If you feel like you’ve recovered, you can get up and move again. However, you should be careful when moving. Cancel the rest of your exercise routine and rest at home. Don’t go too fast when you leave the gym. Avoid getting up quickly when you feel better and give your body enough time to adjust.
When to see a doctor
If this is not the first time you have experienced this problem, you should see a doctor. You need to know why it keeps happening so that you can find a solution. You can undergo treatments depending on the diagnosis.
If dizziness is accompanied by ringing in the ears, it may be tinnitus. Consult a doctor to limit this problem. It may be due to a physical problem or a mental health problem. If you feel dizzy due to blurred vision and cannot see clearly even before exercising, you should see an eye doctor. It may be time to buy prescription glasses or replace the type of glasses you are wearing.
