Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTreatmentsWhen to See a ProviderDiagnosisPreventionFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Treatments
When to See a Provider
Diagnosis
Prevention
FAQ
There are many reasons why you may be dizzy after eating. Whiledizzinessusually occurs if you’ve gone too long without food. thingslow blood sugar,low blood pressure, and certaindiabetes medicationscan also sometimes cause dizziness after a meal.
By pinpointing the cause of dizziness after eating, you and your healthcare provider can find ways to minimize or entirely avoid future episodes.
This article explores the causes of dizziness after eating, including ways to treat and prevent them.
SimpleImages / Getty Images
Why Do I Get Dizzy After Eating?
Some eating-related causes include a post-meal drop in blood sugar or blood pressure, the effects of certain diabetes medications, and certain food allergies or intolerances.
Low Blood Sugar
Non-diabetic hypoglycemiais a rare condition in which blood sugar levels drop in people who do not havediabetes.
Typically, blood sugar levels increase following a meal. However, when a person experiences low blood sugar two to five hours after eating, it is calledreactive hypoglycemia. This is a type of non-diabetic hypoglycemia that can cause dizzy spells after consuming high-carbohydrate foods.
Symptoms of reactive hypotension include:
People withprediabetesare more prone to reactive hypoglycemia. This is because they have trouble producing the right amount ofinsulinwhich helps regulate blood sugar.
Bariatric (weight loss) surgerycan also lead to low blood sugar because it causes metabolic changes that lead to excess insulin production after eating.
Diabetes Medications
If a person does not eat enough carbohydrates after taking insulin or other diabetes medications, it can lead to low blood sugar and dizziness. The timing can sometimes be tricky, given that certain foods are absorbed faster than others (such as beverages which are absorbed quicker than solids).
Symptoms of low blood sugar include:
Injecting too much insulin (or injecting it directly into the muscle) can also lead to hypoglycemia and dizziness after eating.
Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure after eating, also known aspostprandial hypotension, is a condition that affects up to one-third of older adults.
Postprandial hypotension happens when a person’s intestines and stomach demand extra blood for digestion, resulting in decreased blood flow to other body parts, including the brain.
It is a condition most often due to aging-related changes that interfere with the body’s ability to respond quickly to sudden changes in blood pressure. A major culprit ishypertension(high blood pressure) which stiffens arteries and makes it harder for them to narrow and relax when needed.
Symptoms of postprandial hypotension can develop abruptly and cause:
Food Allergy
When a person with afood allergycomes in contact with a trigger food, they can experience dizziness and other symtoms within minutes to two hours of ingestion.
Symptoms of a food allergy may include:
When to Call 911When a food allergy causes dizziness along with rash or hives, rapid or irregular heartbeat, wheezing, shortness of breath, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, you need to call 911 immediately. These are signs of a potentially life-threatening, whole-body allergy known asanaphylaxis.
When to Call 911
When a food allergy causes dizziness along with rash or hives, rapid or irregular heartbeat, wheezing, shortness of breath, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, you need to call 911 immediately. These are signs of a potentially life-threatening, whole-body allergy known asanaphylaxis.
Food Triggers
Certain foods may trigger people with specific conditions, causing dizziness after eating. For example, people withMénières diseaseshould avoid salty foods because salt can increase pressure in the inner ear, worsening dizziness.
Alcoholic beverages, in particular, can also be a trigger. This is because alcohol in the blood can affect the inner ear, causing a feeling like the room is spinning.Alcohol can also cause low blood sugar when it interacts with diabetes medications.
Food intolerancesmay also cause dizziness after eating. For example, limited evidence linkslactose intoleranceto lightheadedness and feelings of intoxication.
Additionally, a person sensitive to caffeine may become dizzy after drinking caffeinated beverages.
Certain foods or food ingredients may triggermigraines, which can cause dizziness. The most common food triggers reported are:
How to Treat Dizziness After Eating
Treatments for dizziness after eating involve addressing the root cause.
If a person has dizziness due to low blood sugar, the immediate treatment involves eating or drinking 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates. This is equivalent to 1/2 cup of fruit juice or six or seven hard candies.
If the reason is an allergy,antihistamineslike Claritin (loratadine) or Zyrtec (cetirizine) can counter the effects of histamine which triggers allergy symptoms. Certain antihistamines like Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), and Antivert (meclizine) are specifically used to treat vertigo (spinning sensations) and nausea.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Minor episodes of dizziness usually resolve on their own and do not require a trip to the emergency room. However, call 911 if any of the following symptoms accompany dizziness after eating:
If you continue to experience dizziness after eating without life-threatening symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. It could be a sign of another treatable, underlying condition.
How to Diagnose the Cause of Dizziness
If dizziness occurs exclusively after eating, your healthcare provider may want to measure your blood sugar and blood pressure before and after meals to see if there are any fluctuations that might explain your symptoms. Other tests may be used if a food allergy or food intolerance is suspected.
The tests may include:
Other tests may be used to detect specific food intolerances.
There are several techniques a person can try to reduce or prevent dizziness after eating:
Summary
Frequently Asked QuestionsA person who has pre-diabetes or is at risk for diabetes may experience dizziness after eating because their body is not producing the right amount of insulin, causing blood sugar to fall.Standing quickly after sitting down for an extended period can reduce blood pressure resulting in dizziness. Pregnant women who experience dizziness after eating often experience improvement after delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
A person who has pre-diabetes or is at risk for diabetes may experience dizziness after eating because their body is not producing the right amount of insulin, causing blood sugar to fall.
Standing quickly after sitting down for an extended period can reduce blood pressure resulting in dizziness. Pregnant women who experience dizziness after eating often experience improvement after delivery.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health Publishing.Dizzy spells when you stand up: should you worry?Endocrine Society.Hypoglycemia.Altuntaş Y.Postprandial reactive hypoglycemia.Sisli Etfal. 2019:53(3):215-20. doi:10.14744/SEMB.2019.59455Endocrine Society.Bariatric surgery.American Diabetes Association.Understanding and managing low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).Trahair LG, Horowitz M, Jones KL.Postprandial hypotension: a systematic review.J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014;15(6):394-409. doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2014.01.011American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Food allergy.MedlinePlus.Ménière disease - self-care.American Addiction Centers.The spins: why alcohol can make you feel dizzy.American Diabetes Association.Alcohol and diabetes.Matthews SB, Waud JP, Roberts AG, Campbell AK.Systemic lactose intolerance: a new perspective on an old problem.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2005;81(953):167-173. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2004.025551Orlando Health.Caffeine-packed drinks may be dangerous to your heart.American Migraine Foundation.Diet and headache control.National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low Blood Glucose.Parkridge Health System.When to go to the ER for dizziness.Shimbo D, Abdalla M, Falzon L, Townsend RR, Muntner P.Role of ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring in clinical practice: a narrative review.Ann Intern Med. 2015 Nov 3;163(9):691-700. doi:10.7326/M15-1270.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy diagnosis.Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al.ACG clinical guideline: management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(1):17-44. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health Publishing.Dizzy spells when you stand up: should you worry?Endocrine Society.Hypoglycemia.Altuntaş Y.Postprandial reactive hypoglycemia.Sisli Etfal. 2019:53(3):215-20. doi:10.14744/SEMB.2019.59455Endocrine Society.Bariatric surgery.American Diabetes Association.Understanding and managing low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).Trahair LG, Horowitz M, Jones KL.Postprandial hypotension: a systematic review.J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014;15(6):394-409. doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2014.01.011American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Food allergy.MedlinePlus.Ménière disease - self-care.American Addiction Centers.The spins: why alcohol can make you feel dizzy.American Diabetes Association.Alcohol and diabetes.Matthews SB, Waud JP, Roberts AG, Campbell AK.Systemic lactose intolerance: a new perspective on an old problem.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2005;81(953):167-173. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2004.025551Orlando Health.Caffeine-packed drinks may be dangerous to your heart.American Migraine Foundation.Diet and headache control.National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low Blood Glucose.Parkridge Health System.When to go to the ER for dizziness.Shimbo D, Abdalla M, Falzon L, Townsend RR, Muntner P.Role of ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring in clinical practice: a narrative review.Ann Intern Med. 2015 Nov 3;163(9):691-700. doi:10.7326/M15-1270.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy diagnosis.Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al.ACG clinical guideline: management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(1):17-44. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Health Publishing.Dizzy spells when you stand up: should you worry?Endocrine Society.Hypoglycemia.Altuntaş Y.Postprandial reactive hypoglycemia.Sisli Etfal. 2019:53(3):215-20. doi:10.14744/SEMB.2019.59455Endocrine Society.Bariatric surgery.American Diabetes Association.Understanding and managing low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).Trahair LG, Horowitz M, Jones KL.Postprandial hypotension: a systematic review.J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014;15(6):394-409. doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2014.01.011American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Food allergy.MedlinePlus.Ménière disease - self-care.American Addiction Centers.The spins: why alcohol can make you feel dizzy.American Diabetes Association.Alcohol and diabetes.Matthews SB, Waud JP, Roberts AG, Campbell AK.Systemic lactose intolerance: a new perspective on an old problem.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2005;81(953):167-173. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2004.025551Orlando Health.Caffeine-packed drinks may be dangerous to your heart.American Migraine Foundation.Diet and headache control.National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low Blood Glucose.Parkridge Health System.When to go to the ER for dizziness.Shimbo D, Abdalla M, Falzon L, Townsend RR, Muntner P.Role of ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring in clinical practice: a narrative review.Ann Intern Med. 2015 Nov 3;163(9):691-700. doi:10.7326/M15-1270.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy diagnosis.Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al.ACG clinical guideline: management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(1):17-44. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036
Harvard Health Publishing.Dizzy spells when you stand up: should you worry?
Endocrine Society.Hypoglycemia.
Altuntaş Y.Postprandial reactive hypoglycemia.Sisli Etfal. 2019:53(3):215-20. doi:10.14744/SEMB.2019.59455
Endocrine Society.Bariatric surgery.
American Diabetes Association.Understanding and managing low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
Trahair LG, Horowitz M, Jones KL.Postprandial hypotension: a systematic review.J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014;15(6):394-409. doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2014.01.011
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Food allergy.
MedlinePlus.Ménière disease - self-care.
American Addiction Centers.The spins: why alcohol can make you feel dizzy.
American Diabetes Association.Alcohol and diabetes.
Matthews SB, Waud JP, Roberts AG, Campbell AK.Systemic lactose intolerance: a new perspective on an old problem.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2005;81(953):167-173. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2004.025551
Orlando Health.Caffeine-packed drinks may be dangerous to your heart.
American Migraine Foundation.Diet and headache control.
National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low Blood Glucose.
Parkridge Health System.When to go to the ER for dizziness.
Shimbo D, Abdalla M, Falzon L, Townsend RR, Muntner P.Role of ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring in clinical practice: a narrative review.Ann Intern Med. 2015 Nov 3;163(9):691-700. doi:10.7326/M15-1270.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy diagnosis.
Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al.ACG clinical guideline: management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(1):17-44. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
