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What Causes Dizziness While Eating, Fatigue And Pain In Calf Muscles?

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Posted on Mon, 24 Nov 2014
Question: So, I have been having some weird things happening to me for about 3 weeks now and I was wondering, if I should be rushing to the doctor. LOL! I have no insurance until XXXXXXX 1.
I’m 48 yr old women, weight 142 @ 5ft 6in. tall. Every time I eat, even before I am done with a meal/snack, I get dizzy and feel like I could very easily faint, especially if it has a higher salt content such as crackers or sunflower seeds. I have stopped eating as many salty foods to see if it would go away. Although it is not as intense of a feeling, I still feel quite dizzy, even when eating some like raw sugar snap peas. I am a very healthy eater, no processed sugar, all vegies and lean meats, high protein, high fiber, no dairy except for the very occasional cheese, lots of water, barely any bread/wheat etc.
Also, the backs of my knees hurt and I wake up in the morning with my left calf aching. I’m also very fatigued. I am normally one who goes and goes but lately I just can’t seem to get my energy back. I just feel off all the way around.
I’m sure it’s impossible to diagnose anything without tests and actually seeing the patient. I just wondered if these symptoms sound like it could be something serious or if it can wait until I have insurance.
Thank you for your time,
Sami
****email is wrong won't let me YYYY@YYYY
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Needs workup

Detailed Answer:
Hello

My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.

I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. As you have mentioned multiple issues so i would discuss each one separately for your ease:

1. Pain behind knee:
There are multiple causes if pain. If it ha started suddenly then most probably it could be due to some trauma or injury. If it has developed gradually then most common cause is baker's cyst. In this a swelling appears behind knee in popliteal fossa which causes pain. If it is the case then a surgeon will examine it thoroughly and will decide further workup. It is not something for which you need to worry at the moment. Only problem it causes is pain and restricted movement.

2. Fainting/dizziness:

a. Postprandial Hypotension:
After meal high quantity of blood is required in G.I tract for food digestion. For this heart must use strength to supply blood to essential organs. Now in some people heart is not able to push blood effectively as a result vitals organs including brain does not get enough blood and as a result dizziness occurs. It is also associated with other conditions like hypertension, diabetes, drug induced or other chronic illness

b. In some cases it may also occurs when blood vessels in your body dilates, as a result blood pools in dependent parts of the body like legs. In this case brain does not gets adequate oxygenation so dizziness and fainting occurs. It is termed as "Vasovagal Syncope". A sitting with medical specialist will help confirming this condition. It is treatable will lifestyle modification & medication like beta blockers.

c. Another cause which is also common is allergic response to particular food. Sometimes body gets allergic to particular food so when one eats that particular food then symptoms like dizziness, rash and/or itch may appear.

3. Pain in calf muscles:
This could be fibromyalgia. In this condition due to causes like stress, sleep problem or anxiety there is pain in muscles of the body which could be specific to one particular group. It can be treated promptly by taking antidepressants & analgesics. If i were your treating doctor then i would have advised ibuprofen & duloxetine. Duloxetine is a prescription drug which you can get from a local doctor.

Conclusion:
You can wait until your get your insurance but you need to take extra care. e.g Don't perform any activity immediately after eating food so that you won't fall down and cause damage to brain or other parts of the body. If a patient comes to my clinic with such problems then apart from medical workup i will give following home care remedy for dizziness after food:
> Avoid skipping meals specially breakfast.
> Eat dinner at least 2 hrs before bedtime.
> Stay well hydrated by drinking adequate fluids like water.
> Avoid alcohol.
> Avoid doing sternous activity immediately after taking meal.
> Avoid food that particularly causes such spells. In you case food with higher salt content.
> take a walk in the evening. It will relieve stress and will make you fresh.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2013

Answered : 1312 Questions

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What Causes Dizziness While Eating, Fatigue And Pain In Calf Muscles?

Brief Answer: Needs workup Detailed Answer: Hello My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem. I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. As you have mentioned multiple issues so i would discuss each one separately for your ease: 1. Pain behind knee: There are multiple causes if pain. If it ha started suddenly then most probably it could be due to some trauma or injury. If it has developed gradually then most common cause is baker's cyst. In this a swelling appears behind knee in popliteal fossa which causes pain. If it is the case then a surgeon will examine it thoroughly and will decide further workup. It is not something for which you need to worry at the moment. Only problem it causes is pain and restricted movement. 2. Fainting/dizziness: a. Postprandial Hypotension: After meal high quantity of blood is required in G.I tract for food digestion. For this heart must use strength to supply blood to essential organs. Now in some people heart is not able to push blood effectively as a result vitals organs including brain does not get enough blood and as a result dizziness occurs. It is also associated with other conditions like hypertension, diabetes, drug induced or other chronic illness b. In some cases it may also occurs when blood vessels in your body dilates, as a result blood pools in dependent parts of the body like legs. In this case brain does not gets adequate oxygenation so dizziness and fainting occurs. It is termed as "Vasovagal Syncope". A sitting with medical specialist will help confirming this condition. It is treatable will lifestyle modification & medication like beta blockers. c. Another cause which is also common is allergic response to particular food. Sometimes body gets allergic to particular food so when one eats that particular food then symptoms like dizziness, rash and/or itch may appear. 3. Pain in calf muscles: This could be fibromyalgia. In this condition due to causes like stress, sleep problem or anxiety there is pain in muscles of the body which could be specific to one particular group. It can be treated promptly by taking antidepressants & analgesics. If i were your treating doctor then i would have advised ibuprofen & duloxetine. Duloxetine is a prescription drug which you can get from a local doctor. Conclusion: You can wait until your get your insurance but you need to take extra care. e.g Don't perform any activity immediately after eating food so that you won't fall down and cause damage to brain or other parts of the body. If a patient comes to my clinic with such problems then apart from medical workup i will give following home care remedy for dizziness after food: > Avoid skipping meals specially breakfast. > Eat dinner at least 2 hrs before bedtime. > Stay well hydrated by drinking adequate fluids like water. > Avoid alcohol. > Avoid doing sternous activity immediately after taking meal. > Avoid food that particularly causes such spells. In you case food with higher salt content. > take a walk in the evening. It will relieve stress and will make you fresh. Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it. Wishing you good health !!