By Dr.Ravindra Patil
The answer, surprisingly, is ‘yes’.
Can ‘gas’ (meaning a bloated feeling in the stomach) cause dizziness? Yes, it can. Stomach conditions can indeed cause dizziness. Hence it is sometimes referred to as ‘Symptoms of Gastric Vertigo’. A gastric problem is sometimes associated with dizziness. Let us see gastric problem symptoms and their association with dizziness.
Abdominal pain can be caused by a wide variety of conditions like infections, food poisoning, ulcers, or some cancers.
Abdominal pain, or stomach aches, and dizziness often go hand in hand. In order to find the cause of these symptoms, it’s important to know which one came first, the stomach problem, or the dizziness.
Pain around your stomach area can be localized or felt all over, affecting other areas of the body. Many times, dizziness comes after abdominal pain as a secondary symptom.
Both are often thought to be the same, however they are different. While dizziness is a range of feelings that make you feel unbalanced or unsteady. You feel as if the room or the world is revolving around you. Dizziness is often because of minor causes and is transient. While it is a condition that often needs medications and other therapies. Both can be symptoms of many diseases. But dizziness is never thought of as a disease. Dizziness is only a symptom. While in some cases, it is thought of as a disease.
Let us start with abdominal pain and its different types. It can be:
Severe pain of any type can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy. Stomach aches and dizziness often go away without treatment. You may feel better after getting some rest. Either sit or lie down and see if you notice a difference.
But if your abdominal pain and dizziness also accompany other symptoms, such as changes in vision and bleeding, it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Make an appointment with your doctor if your symptoms are caused by an injury, interfere with your day-to-day activities, or are getting progressively worse.
In rare cases, chest pain can mimic abdominal pain. The pain moves to your upper stomach area even though it starts in the chest.
These are symptoms of a heart attack and require immediate medical attention.
Surprisingly, there are many conditions which cause abdominal pain or discomfort and dizziness. Some of them may seem to be not so important, but remember, this data is collected over years of study and compilation. Some of these conditions are medical emergencies and need immediate care.
It means low blood pressure after a meal. If you feel abdominal pain and dizziness after eating, it may be because your blood pressure hasn’t stabilized. This sudden drop in blood pressure after a meal is called postprandial hypotension.
Normally, when you eat, blood flow increases to your stomach and small intestine. Your heart also beats faster to maintain blood flow and pressure in the rest of your body. In postprandial hypotension, your blood decreases everywhere but the digestive system. This imbalance of postprandial hypotension can cause:
This condition is more common in older adults and people with damaged nerve receptors or blood pressure sensors. These damaged receptors and sensors affect how other parts of your body react during digestion.
Always seek immediate medical attention for any pain that lasts seven to 10 days or becomes so problematic that it interferes with your day-to-day activities.
Also, see a doctor if you’re experiencing abdominal pain and dizziness along with:
In addition, take an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms for more than 24 hours:
This information is only a summary of emergency symptoms. Common sense must prevail to decide if you abdominal pain and dizziness are minor conditions or may be signs of serious conditions.
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history to help make a diagnosis. If you explaining your symptoms in detail,it will help your doctor determine the cause.
For example, upper abdominal pain may be a sign of a peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, or gallbladder disease. Lower right abdominal pain can be a sign of kidney stones, appendicitis, or ovarian cysts.
Be mindful of the severity of your dizziness. It’s important to note that light-headedness feels like you’re about to faint, whereas it is the sensation that your environment is moving.
Experiencing it is more likely to be an issue with your sensory system. It’s usually an inner ear disorder rather than a result of poor blood circulation.
Myelomeningocele although easily diagnosed because of the sac protruding from the back, can be confused with many other birth defects like these:
The above are rare and complicated disorders best handled by specialists.
In some cases, abdominal pain and dizziness resolves without treatment. This is common for food poisoning, stomach flu, and motion sickness. Sadly, it is not the case always.
Treatments for abdominal pain and dizziness vary depending on the primary symptom and underlying cause. For example, a gastric ulcer may require medicine or surgery. Your doctor can recommend a specific treatment course to treat the condition.
Try to drink lots of fluids if vomiting and diarrhoea accompany your stomach pains. Lying or sitting down can help as you wait for symptoms to improve. You can also take medication to reduce stomach pains and dizziness.
Tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine are linked to abdominal pain and dizziness. Avoiding excess consumption can help lessen these symptoms.
Drinking water during intense exercise can also help reduce stomach cramps and dehydration. It’s recommended to drink at least 4 ounces of water every 15 minutes when you are in the heat or exercising.
Also, be careful not to over-exercise to the point of vomiting, losing consciousness, or injuring yourself.
Samarth Neuro and Superspeciality Hospital has 100+ beds & specializes in emergency surgery for neurological issues/disorders & diagnostics.
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