What Are the Causes of Dizziness in Diabetics?
The American Diabetes Association and other health professionals are dedicated to the research and treatment of diabetes and associated conditions 3. They have found that the main reason diabetics experience dizziness is because of a lack of control of blood sugar and blood pressure levels. These levels need to be balanced and maintained.
Correct Medication Levels
A medical doctor prescribes a certain amount of medication to many diabetic patients, to be taken at a certain time. Type 1 diabetics require insulin to maintain a proper blood sugar level; Type 2 diabetics may have to rely on oral medication. Medication instructions must be followed precisely. Variation may cause the blood sugar levels to be too high or too low. This is especially true of the Type 1 diabetic. Also, regular doctors visits are important. Blood sugar levels are checked and adjustments made to medication, if needed. Blood sugar levels must be checked at home as well. This is mandatory to keep the levels steady.
- A medical doctor prescribes a certain amount of medication to many diabetic patients, to be taken at a certain time.
- Blood sugar levels are checked and adjustments made to medication, if needed.
Diet and Blood Sugar Levels
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The daily diet is also discussed during these appointments. Diet is just as essential as medication in controlling blood sugar levels, and for diabetics who do not need medication, diet is the source for controlling blood sugar levels. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetics with gastroparesis find it very difficult to control blood sugar levels 3. Gastroparesis is a condition in which the nerves in the stomach that aid digestion are impaired, leading to incomplete digestion, nausea, vomiting and pain.
- The daily diet is also discussed during these appointments.
- Gastroparesis is a condition in which the nerves in the stomach that aid digestion are impaired, leading to incomplete digestion, nausea, vomiting and pain.
Blood pressure
High blood pressure is common in diabetics because of shared causes of the diseases themselves, according to Dr. Patrick Lyden, professor of neuroscience and director of UC San Diego's Stroke Center. High blood pressure can cause dizziness, as can low blood pressure. Dr. Timothy Hain of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago found a connection to circulatory problems in diabetics to dizziness. The general term he uses is orthostatic hypotension, lower blood pressure on standing upright. The idea is that a weak or irregular heart is unable to deliver adequate blood pressure. Damaged blood vessels are unable to control blood pressure as well. These conditions lead to low blood pressure. According to Dr. Balch -- physician, surgeon, researcher and practitioner of diet therapy for major diseases -- diabetes and high blood pressure disease can be triggered by a diet high in fat, sugar and salt.
- High blood pressure is common in diabetics because of shared causes of the diseases themselves, according to Dr. Patrick Lyden, professor of neuroscience and director of UC San Diego's Stroke Center.
- The general term he uses is orthostatic hypotension, lower blood pressure on standing upright.
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References
- Prescription for Natural Cures; Balch, M.D., James E.; Stengler, N.D.
- How to Prevent a Stroke; Lyden, MD, Patrick; Bottom Line's Ultimate Healing: World's Greatest Tresurey of Health Secrets, volume II
- American Diabetic Association
- Orthstatic Hypotension; Hain, MD, Timothy
- American Diabetes Association. Hypertension Management in Adults with diabetes. Diabetes Care 2004; 27(Suppl 1):S65.
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- Buse, JB, Ginsberg, HN, Bakris, GL, et al. Primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in people with diabetes mellitus: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. Circulation 2007; 115:114.
- Daly, CA, Fox, KM, Remme, WJ, et al. The effect of perindopril on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes in the EUROPA study: results from the PERSUADE substudy. Eur Heart J 2005; 26:1369.
- Gaede, P, Vedel, P, Parving, H-H, Pedersen, O. Intensified multifactorial intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria: The Steno type 2 randomized study. Lancet 1999; 353:617.
- Major outcomes in high-risk hypertensive patients randomized to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or calcium channel blocker vs diuretic: The Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT). JAMA 2002; 288:2981.
- Zillich, AJ, Garg, J, Basu, S, et al. Thiazide diuretics, potassium, and the development of diabetes: a quantitative review. Hypertension 2006; 48:219.
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Jazzy Joyner is a retired educator who started her career as a poet and creative writer in high school. She majored in English in college and graduated to become a language arts teacher. She edited a school newspaper while teaching adult education. Joyner holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Wayne State University.