Dizziness is often confused with lightheadedness while exercising. Dizziness is not common and could mean a serious issue. Dizziness is described as a spinning sensation. Lightheadedness leaves you feeling faint or weak and is common, affecting athletes at all levels. Let’s take a look at why this happens?
Common reasons for dizziness while working out:
- Ear infections.
Anytime your ears are compromised it can cause dizziness. Since your ears are your balance center when there is a change in pressure it can cause a sensation of dizziness.
- Concussion.
Getting even a small hit to the head can cause dizziness. So if you got hit and are dizzy, make sure you get checked out by the proper medical personnel.
Common causes of lightheadedness while exercising
- Dehydration.
Dehydration is one of the most common causes of dizziness when exercising. When the body lacks sufficient fluid, blood pressure can drop and you can experience dizziness and balance issues.
- Overexertion
Pushing yourself too hard for too long often results in dizziness
- Improper breathing
It’s quite common for athletes to forget to breathe when working out, or take shallow breaths. Especially when performing new or challenging tasks. This leads to decreased oxygen and that fuzzy headed feeling.
Other causes of lightheadedness while exercising
- Low blood sugar
Exercising on an empty stomach can cause low blood sugar, leading to lightheadedness and dizziness. This is especially true during prolonged or intense workouts. This is more common for athletes with diabetes or in ultra endurance sports, but it can happen to any athlete who forgets to eat.
- Low blood pressure
Dehydration can also create a drop in blood pressure. This can leave you with a dizzy, fuzzy feeling and leads to passing out.
- Heat illness
Extreme temperatures can drain the body faster than expected. The extra cooling dehydrates the body quickly and can create dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting.
- POTS or other neurological conditions. – if you have any of these please follow medical guidelines for your workout.
Top 3 tips to prevent dizziness while exercising
- Stay hydrated – drink before, during, and after training to maintain blood pressure, temperature regulation and prevent dizziness.
- Fueling to prevent low blood sugar – small simple snack 30-60 minutes before training, and for anything over three hours have a mid training snack for sustained energy.
- Proper warm up and pacing – Sudden increases in exercise can create dizziness. pay attention to what your body is telling you during training. Don’t be afraid to take a break if you start to feel dizzy and shaky.
If you experience true dizziness or are frequently lightheaded during exercise please seek medical care.
Still having difficulty with your nutrition and training? Work with me to get yourself on the right track and move toward your goals.
Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.