Q:

Today at work I started to get a stomach ache and then I got really dizzy and blacked out for a couple seconds. After I got really cold and sweaty. Yesterday all I ate was two bowls of soup and two small salads and then this morning I had a yogurt prior to working out, where I burned over 500 calories. Could these symptoms be becuase I ate too little, or is it something more serious?

 

A:

You can have a vasovagal syncope (passing out because of slowed heart rate and dropping blood pressure related to gastrointestinal cramping or pain) but there are other concerns that I have about what you describe.

You didn't eat enough calories yesterday--was that because you weren't feeling well or because you are trying to restrict your calorie intake? If you are working out that heavily, you need to fuel your body with adequate calories, otherwise you are apt to be low in blood sugar (which can cause dizziness), or fluid volume (which can cause blacking out) or metabolic abnormalities like potassium or sodium deficiencies which can cause heart rhythm abnormalities.

So, without more information about what your intent is, it is impossible to say what this might have been caused by. My advice is that you make a same day appointment by calling 650-3400 to come in and review with a provider or see Jill Kelly, our dietician, at the Rec Center, as she can review your diet and activity level.

~The Doc