What causes dizziness after running?

Sep 12, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Dizziness after running may be caused by lack of exercise, dehydration, low blood sugar, anemia, low blood pressure, or other reasons. In daily life, it is important to warm up adequately before running to ensure the body is in good condition, and to replenish fluids and energy appropriately, avoiding running on an empty stomach or when overly fatigued, in order to prevent dizziness or other discomfort after running.

Generally, dizziness after running may be caused by lack of exercise, dehydration, hypoglycemia, anemia, low blood pressure, and other reasons. It can be treated under a doctor's guidance through general measures and medication. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Lack of Exercise

Individuals who have long lacked physical activity may find their respiratory and circulatory systems unable to quickly adapt to high-intensity exercise when they suddenly start running. This can lead to insufficient oxygen supply in the body, resulting in dizziness. It is recommended to begin with low-intensity exercises and gradually increase the amount of physical activity.

2. Dehydration

During running, the body dissipates heat through sweat to maintain thermal balance. Excessive sweating without timely fluid replacement can lead to loss of body water, blood concentration, and decreased blood pressure, thereby causing dizziness. It is important to adequately hydrate before running in daily life.

3. Hypoglycemia

Running on an empty stomach or without sufficient food intake prior to exercise causes the body to consume large amounts of energy during physical activity, leading to reduced blood glucose levels and impaired brain energy supply, thus triggering the aforementioned symptoms. This may be accompanied by palpitations and cold sweats. Medications such as furosemide tablets, carbamazepine tablets, and phenobarbital tablets should be used according to medical advice.

4. Anemia

Anemia can result from abnormal hematopoietic function, trauma, heavy menstrual bleeding, and other factors. Patients with anemia have insufficient quantity or quality of red blood cells, leading to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity. During running, increased oxygen demand further exacerbates cerebral hypoxia, causing dizziness. Symptoms may include pallor and fatigue. Patients should take ferrous sulfate tablets, vitamin C tablets, folic acid tablets, and other medications as directed by a physician.

5. Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure)

Causes of hypotension are numerous, including prolonged standing, lack of physical activity, and drug side effects. After running, blood flow significantly increases to muscles and the skin surface, which may cause a temporary drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness. Symptoms may include blurred vision and unsteadiness. Treatment should involve medications such as Shengmai Yin oral solution, indapamide tablets, and captopril tablets under medical supervision.

Before running, it is important to warm up thoroughly, ensure good physical condition, and timely replenish fluids and energy. Avoid exercising on an empty stomach or when overly fatigued to prevent discomfort such as dizziness after running.

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