This is another tip for first aid at home, camping, etc. When you have someone pass out or you can see a person who is going to pass out, and you have nowhere to find ammonia, you can use a lemon. Lemons are another option to ammonia to be use when somebody passes out. It's safe and affordable!
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For some reason I have been feeling dizzy or light headed for about a year. It happens when I stand up, or I am sitting down, or when I am doing anything. It happens everyday. Does anybody know what you would call this? Is it really bad?
By cecilia_esparza from Houston, TX
You really should see your doctor. It could be something as simple as iron levels too low or something very serious. The "I'm dizzy all the time" shouldn't even be done over the phone with a medical professional.
Please, don't substitute "medical advice" obtained on the internet for a real doctor that can do the proper testing.
Are you on medications? Like for high blood pressure? Some medications will cause dizziness upon standing (like clonidine), as can mixing of certain meds... Also, if you have Low blood pressure naturally, this also can cause dizziness upon standing. If I were you, I'd talk to my doctor & ask him or her to change my meds. If you aren't on any meds then have your doctor check your blood pressure. If it's not low, dizziness upon standing can be caused by other things as well. This can cause you to black out & fall, possibly breaking your hip or hitting your head & causing massive damage. Ask your doctor, and please be extra careful when you are driving a car!
* If you can't afford a doctor, go to a public hospital where they can't turn you away if you can't pay. In my area we have one attached with our University & they run a daily clinic. Simply Google "public hospitals & the largest city closest to you" these are run by the state, not privately so they can't turn you away for not having money or insurance. (Be sure to bring a good book! You may have to sit & wait for hours!) If you've served in the military, go to the V.A. It may not be the best, but it's free! Lastly, there's always DSHS. To be eligible, you need to not be able to work (due to dizziness) for at least the next 3 months & have almost NO money coming in & under $2000 in the bank. They won't take the house you own & are living in unless you are on long-time care (like a nursing home).
PS. COflower is right... It can also be a sign of low iron levels (anemia). If you have Iron Deficiency Anemia you will probably also be SUPER-tired all the time! (I had this when pregnant) But you really DO need to actually SEE a doctor for an easy inexpensive test to be sure! Many County Health Departments will do a simple test for Iron Deficiency Anemia. Call your local Health Department & ask if they run a wellness clinic for low income people. If you are young enough to need birth control, Planned Parenthood can also do this test while you are applying for birth control. (They charge on a sliding-scale depending on how much money you make) ...If you need to take iron, there are 3 types, Ferrous Gluconate, Ferrous Fumarate & Ferrous Sulfate. (Ferrous just means "Iron"). The one best absorbed by humans is Ferrous Gluconate, second is Ferrous Fumarate. Ferrous Sulfate is the cheapest, but the hardest to absorb into our bodies. It may cost a bit more the take Ferrous Gluconate, but more will be absorbed, so it will work better. Iron needs Vitamin-C to help it absorb into our bodies. It's best to take your iron with a glass of orange juice & avoid dairy products or calcium supplements for an hour before & after taking iron. Iron can cause constipation. You can take Benefiber or include extra fiber in your meals to help prevent constipation caused by the iron supplement. If you get a bit have any tummy problems taking iron then try a liquid iron supplement. These are well tolerated (but cost more).
HERE'S INFO IN IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA:
health.nytimes.com/
Are you a 'diet soda junkie'? If so, stop!
I had developed these same symptoms and after I stopped drinking my diet root beers, my balance returned and dizziness stopped.
"David E. Polen, D.C. - "I have noted in my practice that removing Nutra-Sweet from the diet can have a positive effect on many patients from these other aspartame-related neuro-psychiatric complaints: seizures, headaches, dizziness, disorientation, confusion, severe anxiety, hyperactivity, sleeplessness, insomnia, numbness, paresthesias, atypical facial pain, severe depression, slurred speech and migrating joint pain.
It could be early warning signs of a failing heart. get it checked, and fast. If you are "greying out", half-fainting on standing up, check your soda (and anything else) for fake sugars, and your iron levels.
If it isn't a bad heart issue, add vitamin B to your diet, it can help, but make sure you get checked out before you start a vitamin regimen. It can hide problems or make them worse, depending.
Cecilla, in addition to getting checked by your family md, see a chiropractor. Dizziness can be caused by spinal misalignment putting pressure on the nerve that controls the inner ear. If this is the case, chiropractic adjustments should be able to help without drugs or surgery.
You might have Mal Debarqment syndrome. My mom got it after being on a cruise ship for a week. The symptoms happened within a month and have been lasting for years. I hope you do not have it because at this point there is no cure.
It could be low blood pressure, along with many other possibilities. Please see a doctor ASAP and let us know the outcome.
It could also be an inner ear problem. I had this problem for a while and turned out I had fluid in my ears. Could also stem from stress. I have cardiac arrithmias which in my case is not serious. Dr. said it's anxiety related. Seems to be genetic; my daughter has them and she has a couple friends that has them. My lady pharmacists also gets them. See you doctor but what I'm saying is anxiety and stress can bring on all kinds of health issues.
Tonight was my grandsons Christmas program. The kids performed wonderfully altho we wondered how it would go off. Today, during practice a child passed out and was taken to the hospital. It was said that he buckled his knees causing him to *faint* . My husband said while he was in the Army there were times that guys would pass out on the parade field (this meaning during a parade or practice). I am wondering WHY or how buckling the knees (standing straight pressing back on the knees) can cause one to pass out?
When you "lock your knees straight" it keeps the blood flow from moving smoothly and thus causes one to faint.
I had never heard of this until August, when my very much in control 6' tall, 210 lb son passed out during his wedding! There was a Dr. at the wedding and explained that it was called locked knee syndrome. It is very common, especially at weddings, according to the Priest :)
Merry Christmas, Teresa
When you stand for long time, especially with knees locked, like soldiers etc, the blood pools in the lower half of the body and the brain gets deprived so.. you faint. A good way to prevent it is squeezing your toes together , clenching them, your calf muscles (soldiers are told to do that when they have to stand still)I
Where can I find a bottle of spirit of ammonia in Baltimore, Maryland? I used it years ago to help with unbearably painful headaches, due to medical problems. Now the problem is back and this is the only thing to take my headaches away fast, without using pain meds that have been prescribed.
By dee-dee from Baltimore, MD
Call your local hospital pharmacy.. I have only fainted once in my life, when I was having a biopsy of my uterine lining to check for various hormone levels; the doctor woke me with spirits of ammonia vial. I assume it's still used for the same reason, fainting patients.
I worked at the soda fountain at Matthew Rexall Drug Store in Great Falls, SC in the '60s and made Ammonia and Coke for customers often. I used a cap full (maybe a 4 oz. bottle) for each Coke.
You can buy it online from Walmart made by Hume for 6.98 including tax and shipping.
My mom used it too.
Does anyone remember what drink was CALLED ?
