Feeling Tired and Giddy? Don’t Ignore It
Given the hustle and bustle of city life and fast-paced life, the feeling of tiredness and fatigue is common. However, there is a chance that other health conditions are confused with the symptoms of fatigue and giddiness. Thus, it’s important to understand what fatigue and giddiness are.
Fatigue can be described as an extreme physical and mental tiredness that does not go away after a proper amount of rest and sleep. Giddiness or dizziness can be referred to like the feeling of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or the feelings of lack in balance.
Giddiness: Causes
Let’s have a look at some of the common giddiness causes.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
This is alternatively referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis. As the name suggests, fatigue is the primary symptom of giddiness. Though sometimes the symptoms are low in intensity, at times, the symptoms are chronic and ultimately interferes with the daily functioning of an individual. Often, after a session of exercise, the intensity of symptoms tend to worsen.
Individuals with the symptoms of CFS may also experience secondary symptoms such as sleep problems, joint/muscle pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, and rarely sore throat. Some of the individuals might experience mild to severe headaches and episodes during which they might have difficulty in thinking, concentrating, and memory-related issues.
Migraine:
It is a form of headache that is so severe in intensity that it might impact an individual’s daily functioning abilities. It is a type of throbbing headache that may last for hours to a couple of days. People with migraines are sensitive to light and sound. Nausea is common during extreme pain felt due to throbbing headaches.
Iron-deficiency Anaemia:
Iron-deficiency anaemia can be referred to as a condition in which a lack of iron leads to feelings of giddiness and fatigue. Iron is a crucial micronutrient for the body as it helps to carry oxygen around the body that keeps the body’s cells healthy. Some of the other symptoms associated with IDA include pale or yellow skin, shortness of breath, hair loss, a pounding noise in the ears, and rapid heartbeat.
Though anyone is at the risk of having IDA, mostly vegetarians or vegans, women who are pregnant, have heavy periods, or lost a lot of blood are more prone to this condition. Some times medical conditions such as peptic ulcers and inflammatory bowel diseases may also make an individual prone to IDA.
Hypoglycemia:
Hypoglycemia refers to a drop in blood sugar or glucose level. People with hypoglycemia may experience symptoms such as feeling jittery, excessive sweating, blurred vision, headache, poor concentration, and coordination as well as irregular heartbeat.
The above causes of dizziness are common, and there might be a myriad of secondary causes as well. It is important to identify the symptoms from their onset and seek immediate medical attention.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Here, we have highlighted certain situations where the individual experiencing giddiness must seek medical attention. They are:
- Persisting headache that does not go away after proper rest and medication;
- Personality and behavioural changes;
- Memory-related issues;
- Bouts of unconsciousness;
- Feelings of nausea & vomiting.
Preventive Measures
Symptoms of giddiness vary depending on the causes of it. Thus, the treatment and preventive measures also should be according to the underlying symptoms.
Here are some of the suggested preventive measures:
- Habit changes to coordinate sleeping patterns;
- Consistent exercise regimen to cope better with fatigue;
- Doctors may recommend wearing support stockings to avoid lightheadedness;
- Individuals with hypoglycemia should keep their insulin dosage handy;
- Consumption of iron-rich food such as fish, meat, legumes, and leafy green vegetables is recommended;
Giddiness, mild or severe, may lead to chronic health ailments and thus should not be ignored or taken lightly. If the symptoms tend to be extreme, it’s recommended to seek immediate medical attention.
