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What Causes Light Headedness While Eating?

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Posted on Tue, 30 Jun 2015
Question: I have achalasia...awaiting hellers myotomy.
My food is always sticking but why do I go light headed whilst eating?? Is my oesophagus pressing on something (it does get dilated and presses on my trachea restricting breathing during exercise or stressed times). Many thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Your symptoms are caused by vagal nerve stimulations.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

Your symptoms are caused by vagal nerve stimulations. The lower part of esophagus (1/3 portions) is innervated by vagal nerve. When the food pass through the achalasia segment, the esophagus will distend causing vagal nerve stimulation that are manifested with vagal symptoms.

Vagal symptoms are manifested with, sweating, light headiness, presyncope, hypotension etc. Only dyspnea is more likely to be related with local compression of trachea.

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (20 minutes later)
Ok great thank you. Is this serious? Will the myotomy help relieve the symptoms due to no more back up of food. Its really not a pleasant feeling.
also with regard to the breathing...when I exert myself ie exercise I become breathless because I also have asthma but then the breathing becomes noisy almost like a whoppy cushion but only when I breathe in...it feels almost like im am being strangled. Just below the XXXXXXX apple area. Is this also linked to the achalasia or should I seek advice from my gp?
Many thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Your symptoms especially lightheaded while eating will be relieved after the myotomy procedure.

With regard to breathing problems they doesn't seem related to achalasia, but more likely related to asthma problems. Achalasia didn't cause problems in the region around XXXXXXX apple and you should seek advice to your GP.

If you were my patient I would suggest to do:
- a chest x ray
- respiratory functional test
- cervical area ultrasound to exclude thyroid gland enlargement

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Klerida
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2266 Questions

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What Causes Light Headedness While Eating?

Brief Answer: Your symptoms are caused by vagal nerve stimulations. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX! I read your query and understood your concerns. Your symptoms are caused by vagal nerve stimulations. The lower part of esophagus (1/3 portions) is innervated by vagal nerve. When the food pass through the achalasia segment, the esophagus will distend causing vagal nerve stimulation that are manifested with vagal symptoms. Vagal symptoms are manifested with, sweating, light headiness, presyncope, hypotension etc. Only dyspnea is more likely to be related with local compression of trachea. Hope this was of help! Wish you health! Dr. Shehu