Besides the obvious 'eat more', what can help against this?
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RaspberryRafal
Dizziness and nausea
if regularity isn't there, that's important too — it usually points to something being low, whether blood pressure or blood sugar (i'm the wrong person to ask how to tell the difference, i just knew i felt shitty). preferably something fast-release energy if you feel really bad, bc i used to troubleshoot whateverthefuckitwas with a ration of 'emergency nuts' which turned out to be the wrong macro completely. "it's caloriiieessss why don't i feel any betteeerrrr" .......because fats are slowest to digest
1. Please see a doctor if you have those symptoms:
First, if you're feeling these symptoms, you really should speak with a medical provider because there are many things it could be, and we wouldn't be able to know without seeing your labs and taking your vitals, and these things can be quite serious/time sensitive.
2. If medical providers aren't accessible, there are some monitoring options that would be better than nothing:
If speaking to a provider isn't accessible, you can still get labs done on your own at like a Quest Diagnostics, you can check your vitals with at home blood pressure monitor and heart rate monitor or smart watch, and if low blood sugar is something you think you may get frequently, you could get a blood sugar monitor.
3. Could be low blood sugar/hypoglycemia:
Dizziness and nausea can be a sign of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The only way to increase blood sugar is to eat things that have carbohydrates (sugar). I've had low blood sugar (I don't have diabetes) and anyone can get low blood sugar. But one of my family members has diabetes so I've seen how to treat low blood sugar on a regular basis. You could even get a blood sugar monitor to check your blood sugar if you suspect it's this in the long term for harm reduction.
If you have restricted in the past day(s) and if it's blood sugar related, taking quick access sugar will help. Juice, candy, etc. Then after a few minutes, it's good to take a balanced intake of food, think something with carbohydrates, fats, protein, and some fiber ideally because having all four of those will help the blood sugar stabilize for a longer period of time.
4. Could be electrolyte imbalances
Electrolyte imbalances can also impact things and those can be pretty serious. Although those are much more difficult to track at home, but taking electrolytes is a good harm reduction option if labs and/or doctors and/or sufficient/normative nutrition is not an option right now.
Important electrolytes to take are sodium, potassium, magnesium, and thiamine. Those can all be taken over the counter. (Think table salt for sodium, NoSalt for potassium, magnesium glycinate capsules for magnesium, and like a Vitamin B complex for thiamine - thiamine is Vitamin B1). I always try to take these when I am experiencing restriction ED symptoms. They don't recommend taking the salt or potassium in a capsule form if one isn't eating enough in case it sticks to stomach wall, rather diluting/mixing it in water is better/safer.
Phosphate/phosphorus is an important electrolyte too, especially if someone is at risk of refeeding syndrome, but that usually can't be purchased over the counter because getting too much of it can be very dangerous just like not having enough during refeeding syndrome can be very dangerous. But a provider can write a prescription for the appropriate amount for your body's needs if appropriate.
5. Low blood pressure/low heart rate or high heart rate or high blood pressure
I'm not actually sure how to help with those. I know restriction/ED symptoms can mess up blood pressure and heart rate. The only thing for that that seemed to work for me was consistent nourishment for an extended period of time. Perhaps if this is something you experience, an option might be harm reduction via increased food intake to a level that reduces symptoms?
---
I know symptoms like that can be scary and you deserve to feel better 🩵! You're sick enough and I hope you feel better soon!
* Edited to fix typo
First, if you're feeling these symptoms, you really should speak with a medical provider because there are many things it could be, and we wouldn't be able to know without seeing your labs and taking your vitals, and these things can be quite serious/time sensitive.
2. If medical providers aren't accessible, there are some monitoring options that would be better than nothing:
If speaking to a provider isn't accessible, you can still get labs done on your own at like a Quest Diagnostics, you can check your vitals with at home blood pressure monitor and heart rate monitor or smart watch, and if low blood sugar is something you think you may get frequently, you could get a blood sugar monitor.
3. Could be low blood sugar/hypoglycemia:
Dizziness and nausea can be a sign of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The only way to increase blood sugar is to eat things that have carbohydrates (sugar). I've had low blood sugar (I don't have diabetes) and anyone can get low blood sugar. But one of my family members has diabetes so I've seen how to treat low blood sugar on a regular basis. You could even get a blood sugar monitor to check your blood sugar if you suspect it's this in the long term for harm reduction.
If you have restricted in the past day(s) and if it's blood sugar related, taking quick access sugar will help. Juice, candy, etc. Then after a few minutes, it's good to take a balanced intake of food, think something with carbohydrates, fats, protein, and some fiber ideally because having all four of those will help the blood sugar stabilize for a longer period of time.
4. Could be electrolyte imbalances
Electrolyte imbalances can also impact things and those can be pretty serious. Although those are much more difficult to track at home, but taking electrolytes is a good harm reduction option if labs and/or doctors and/or sufficient/normative nutrition is not an option right now.
Important electrolytes to take are sodium, potassium, magnesium, and thiamine. Those can all be taken over the counter. (Think table salt for sodium, NoSalt for potassium, magnesium glycinate capsules for magnesium, and like a Vitamin B complex for thiamine - thiamine is Vitamin B1). I always try to take these when I am experiencing restriction ED symptoms. They don't recommend taking the salt or potassium in a capsule form if one isn't eating enough in case it sticks to stomach wall, rather diluting/mixing it in water is better/safer.
Phosphate/phosphorus is an important electrolyte too, especially if someone is at risk of refeeding syndrome, but that usually can't be purchased over the counter because getting too much of it can be very dangerous just like not having enough during refeeding syndrome can be very dangerous. But a provider can write a prescription for the appropriate amount for your body's needs if appropriate.
5. Low blood pressure/low heart rate or high heart rate or high blood pressure
I'm not actually sure how to help with those. I know restriction/ED symptoms can mess up blood pressure and heart rate. The only thing for that that seemed to work for me was consistent nourishment for an extended period of time. Perhaps if this is something you experience, an option might be harm reduction via increased food intake to a level that reduces symptoms?
---
I know symptoms like that can be scary and you deserve to feel better 🩵! You're sick enough and I hope you feel better soon!
* Edited to fix typo
Supplements like vitamins and minerals
Drink some water, but dont overdo it, it can also get rid of too many minerals and salts
Maybe look up the recomended amount for your body
If you eat very little salt have some or some salty food
Your body really does need some salt, and it can help with low blood pressure
Also some carbs/ sugar
I know protein is amazing, but having too little carbs and energy also causes me to have low blood sugar
Best something with fiber like oats or a piece of fruit
Have as much as you manage to allow yourself, but even a tiny portion sometimes helps me to feel better even if i dont allow myself much bc of calories
Lay down with your legs up, also helps if its bc of low blood pressure
Spend some time myself with my legs up, having some salt and water.
Always a good time lol
Take care <3
Drink some water, but dont overdo it, it can also get rid of too many minerals and salts
Maybe look up the recomended amount for your body
If you eat very little salt have some or some salty food
Your body really does need some salt, and it can help with low blood pressure
Also some carbs/ sugar
I know protein is amazing, but having too little carbs and energy also causes me to have low blood sugar
Best something with fiber like oats or a piece of fruit
Have as much as you manage to allow yourself, but even a tiny portion sometimes helps me to feel better even if i dont allow myself much bc of calories
Lay down with your legs up, also helps if its bc of low blood pressure
Spend some time myself with my legs up, having some salt and water.
Always a good time lol
Take care <3
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