Living with Hypoglycemia & Vasovagal Syncope
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Something that I struggle with but don't ever discuss is living with hypoglycemia and vasovagal syncope. It's not something that comes to mind for me to talk about yet it has a huge affect on my life. Existence a fitness competitor is extremely hard for me (towards the stop of prep) considering of it. Hypoglycemia tin can be best and easily described every bit having periods of low blood glucose (low blood saccharide). Vasovagal Syncope can be best described equally fainting due to over-reaction to certain things such as the sight of blood/needles, etc.
LIVING WITH HYPOGLYCEMIA – MY Health JOURNEY
When I was in college I didn't know the best ways to eat healthy. I knew how to work out just this was however before my heavy lifting days. I could often exist caught running the treadmill for 45 minutes and doing perhaps thirty minutes of light weights. I would count calories and idea fat was the enemy. I never considered how much protein, carbs or fat I was getting because I was then stuck on the number of calories.
Towards the end of college I had a few episodes where I would become really shaky, silly and dizzy. A few times I passed out. I thought it was a fluke thing the first few times but as the episodes increased getting worse each time, I knew something was wrong.
I call up getting ready for ane of my showtime post-graduation interviews. I was blow-drying my hair and started to become extremely weak. I got nauseous, I felt clammy and I started to milk shake. I would blow-dry for a minute, take a break, blow-dry for a infinitesimal, take a break. Not wanting to miss my interview I kept telling myself it would pass. I got in my car and started to drive to my interview, making it to ane of the busiest roads in town. Before I knew information technology I was in a total-diddled sweat and I was starting to lose my vision. Luckily, I was able to get to the side of the ride before I lost consummate vision. I couldn't meet a thing. By some grace of god, I didn't pass out and lose command of my machine. It took me a few minutes to go my vision back and when I woke up I was COVERED in sweat and shaking uncontrollably.
Over the side by side few years I had many random occurrences of passing out. I usually got a pocket-sized window of time where I could feel it coming on and I could call for assistance. No one could always continue it from happening but at to the lowest degree I knew if someone was there I wouldn't go hurt. Information technology wasn't until me and my married man decided to accept kids that I was ever diagnosed.
One mean solar day we visited a Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. who sees patients for endometriosis, PCOS and many other issues. I was there for a possible endometriosis evaluation which had null to do with my fainting episodes. During the sit-down in the Dr.'s bodily office I started to become weak. I was sweating, felt light-headed and couldn't put my words together. Me and my husband were sitting straight across from the Dr. and I told them both (as I was sitting downwards) "I'm going to pass out". Sure enough right in front of the Dr., I passed out common cold. I'1000 sure it would be embarrassing for some merely to me I was happy it happened in front of him. Looking at the circumstances and knowing my blood sugar, he pretty much diagnosed me on the spot (with some further testing after).
My Dr. gave me some advice on how to control living with hypoglycemia and my blood saccharide. To this day I detect them all imperative to keeping my good for you. I have not had an episode since taking these steps. I've listed some below.
- Eat meals that accept carbs/protein/fat. A great snack bar if y'all take hypoglycemia: Kashi Bars
- Make sure you lot are getting plenty CARBS
- Do not drink alcohol without a sufficient amount of food
- Do non skip meals
- Swallow when yous are hungry, don't let yourself go likewise long betwixt meals or become famished
- Bank check your blood sugar (there are lots of devices you lot can put right in your pocket)
Fast frontward a few months from THAT Dr. appt. and I was also given an appt. at my cardiologist office. I was given a tracking device that I had to wear for a week or so (can't remember exactly, it was awhile agone) to evaluate my heart. All turned out ok but he did say that I was definitely suffering from vasovagal syncope episodes every bit well. Not only did I pass out for unforeseen reasons often but I also passed out whenever I would have blood taken or get HIGHLY anxious.
With these 2 issues combined he gave me a pretty serious possible outcome: losing my license. I think my jaw was on the floor when he said this. Luckily, with the help and advice of my Dr.'south and support of my husband (taking me to Dr. appts., supporting my constant need to swallow lol) I was able to avoid this. My cardiologists instructions for me to help avoid these vasovagal episodes:
- Consume a TON of salt. People are amazed at how much common salt I put on ALL my meals!
- Stay well hydrated – The Nalgene Water Canteen is marked with ounces and milliliters making information technology easy for you lot to track your h2o throughout the day.
- Don't drink much alcohol
- Try to have a loftier-cobweb diet
- If you lot ever feel symptoms, lay on the floor and lift your legs direct up. Drawing the blood back down makes it almost impossible for you to pass out. (seriously a life-saver although you may await coo-koo doing this in the mall HA!)
As I'one thousand sure y'all can imagine, prepping for a fitness contest while living with hypoglycemia l is EXTREMELY difficult. A very strict nutrition is imperative if you want to do well in a competition. In that location is no indicate in inbound if you cannot follow the nutrition. You cannot out-train a poor diet. I push myself as much as I can in terms of diet but my health always comes offset. If I e'er feel like I'm starting to feel "not right" I let my coach know and nosotros accommodate accordingly. You just have to listen to your torso.
Here is an instance of 1 of my fettle competition prep meals. It works for me because there is enough poly peptide, carbs and fat.
If you have any symptoms like mine or experience like yous may have either of these conditions, go become checked! It'due south meliorate to know and learn how to manage information technology so to struggle with the unknown.
Source: https://www.fitmommyinheels.com/managing-hypoglycemia/
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