Fainting/dizzy spells/syncope

[Ianc2]

A few months ago I slowly crumpled up and fell to the floor and passed out after a 6 mile walk, followed a rapid recovery before my fellow walkers could get their hands on my wallet. I was fortunate to get in and see my cardiologist who told me to increase my water levels by 3 pints a day, make sure I eat some salt, eat regular small meals to keep blood sugar stable and take my ramipril overnight.

But why did it happen in the first place?

I have had a dig around an disturbed Dr Google and all his merry men and the answer that came back quite surprised me. Like many people I tolerate lactose less and less as I get older, and I am not too good with gluten either.so I don't eat biscuits, bread or cakes unless they are gluten/ dairy free.

A typical breakfast is oats and a tumbler of lactose free milk, with the odd bacon and eggs every now and then with a cup of coffee. Next meal is usually something cooked with plenty of Veg and so on.

The results that came back from t'internet identified a distinct link between low sugar levels and fainting. Your brains runs on glucose which has to be constantly replenished. No glucose - lights go out. Lactose is form of sugar so, as a result of my eating patterns, it turns out my consumption of sugar at breakfast time is very limited.

If true it's easily fixed by a spoonful of sugar in my cup of coffee, I hope.

[Shoshov]

hi the oats provide you with plenty of sugar. how is your bp. iv had these problems for the last 18 months with no solution yet. iv got type 2 diabetes and they kept blaming episodes on hypos which diabetic team said no it wasn’t. as you were told to up your water intake and salt intake it sounds like you may have low bp like me as that’s what i have to do. do you have a bp monitor. keep pestering them. if your in uk health service runs at its own pace unless it’s an emergency when it becomes next to none. good luck❤️shiona

[Ianc2 in reply to Shoshov]

Hi Shoshov

Thanks for your reply. My sugar scores are usually very reasonable, but my BP is usually around 140/80. I have an irregular heart beat which makes measuring it difficult so tis all a bit of a game.

[Shoshov in reply to Ianc2]

well it’s not low bp🤣. it’s a game of trial and error. iv recently seen a neurologist and had a ct scan on thursday at his request to rule out neurological reasons. don’t know what else to suggest. as i’m only talking from my experience i suggest to be proactive and try and sort it out now instead of 18 months down the line like me. good luck my friend❤️

[Dicky-ticker]

I have vasovagal syncope on an ongoing basis and have done for the past 3 months alongside supraventricular ectopics. The cardiologist thinks ?!?! it's linked to low BP and low oxygen levels causing me to collapse. Having said this I'm still waiting on the NHS for treatment or appointment following my long list of assessments. I collapse after 20 minutes of standing or walking on a continuous basis .

[mistymolly]

I hope so. I feel faint because I was diagnosed with a myocardial bridge and it affects my circulation. It's an absolute nightmare. I hope you feel better soon. Try taking the sugar, as you suggest and best of luck

[Ianc2 in reply to mistymolly]

Had a few further thoughts. In the summer I tend to wake up with the sun, bright and very early, whether I want to or not I have breakfast at about 6 am, usually porridge and a coffee, followed by another coffee about 9.80 and then off for a walk.

On the day I collapsed at about 1pm, I had done about 6 hours of activity and six miles walking on very little fuel. I am 74 so relying on stored glycogen in my muscles may not be a very clever idea. I have revised my eating plan and I now take an energy bar and have a coffee with sugar half way round. Instant fuel.

Seems to be working so far.

[mistymolly in reply to Ianc2]

That's great. Keep it up. The walking is marvellous if you can do it.

[lillyofthevalley37]

The brain uses more glucose than any other organ in the body

If a hospital was banned from giving patients glucose people would die