I'm 15 years old. For about two years whenever I stand up from sitting in front of a computer or game console for several hours, I will walk a couple steps then feel extremely lightheaded and sometimes stumble and fall. I didn't think this was actually a problem until just today when I stood up and started shaking and fell. I was only on the ground for about 10 seconds and I stood up and felt perfectly fine. It almost seems like an effect of epilepsy, but there is no history of it in my family. Please let me know if I am just being overly cautious or if this could actually be a problem.
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Lightheaded and Stumbling
- Thread starter Wilko
- Start date
It could be so many things.
What's your weight? Height? How long does your symptoms last? How does your body feel? Have you ever taking your heart rate during this? how severe is your symptoms? Does your vision change?
To help you, here are a few conditions you might have, though it could be more efficient with more information.
1. Fainting
Fainting occurs when there is Insufficient oxygen reaching the brain. This causes a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness.
Causes of Fainting
Numerous causes may produce fainting. These include a sudden decrease in blood flow to the brain, resulting from heartbeat abnormalities or diseases that limit the amount of blood that the heart pumps. Prolonged straining, such as from severe coughing or attempted bowel movements when constipated, can reduce blood flow to the heart and lead to fainting. Sudden emotional stress can lead to neurological output that produces fainting by slowing the heart and output of the heart. Rapidly rising from sitting or lying down, especially in chronically ill or bed ridden patients, can produce orthostatic hypotension. This leads to fainting. Hypoglycemia, severe pain and heart attack can all produce temporary loss of consciousness or fainting.
Signs and Symptoms of Fainting
Symptoms of fainting include sudden light-headedness, general weakness and falling. Blurred vision, nausea, pallor and sweating frequently occur. There is usually a rapid heart beat and rapid breathing. In the absence of heartbeat or breathing, a cardiac arrest may be initially mistaken for fainting.
2.Hypotension
Hypotension describes a condition in which the blood pressure is significantly below normal. It has many causes, some of which are life threatening. Loss of blood, either externally or internally is the most common cause. Systemic infections which can decrease the ability of the blood vessels to constrict and decrease the ability of the heart muscle to contract, can lead to hypotension. Neurological injury to the spinal cord, when severe, results in the loss of nerve supply to the blood vessels. They are no longer able to maintain tone or constrict and the blood pressure is reduced. Any type of damage to the heart can produce hypotension. In addition, irregular or rapid heart beats may not allow adequate pumping by the heart with the production of hypotension. Lastly, severe allergic reactions cause dilation of the blood vessels. The allergic response causes the blood vessels to become permeable and fluid leaks out of them. Both of these mechanisms may severely decrease the blood pressure.
Causes of Hypotension
The conditions leading to hypotension are related either to the amount of blood within the vascular system, the ability of the heart to pump the blood, the ability of the small arteries to constrict and the integrity of the nervous system. Dysfunction of any of these areas can lead to hypotension.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypotension
Depending on the severity of hypotension, the symptoms range from light-headedness to coma. Commonly, changes of position, particularly when standing up, will increase symptoms. The heart rate will increase and the person may faint. As hypotension becomes severe, the heart races to try and pump additional blood. The vessels of the skin are contracted to try and force blood to more vital organs. The skin usually feels cold and moist.
3.Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the ability to transport oxygen in the body is diminished. This occurs because there are less red cells or less hemoglobin. There are many types of anemias and they may be caused by a variety of problems.
Causes of Anemia
The causes of the various anemias are listed separately in this index. To further understand them please click on the appropriate type of anemia.
Signs and Symptoms of Anemia
Initially, people seldom have symptoms from anemia. However, as it progresses the symptoms of anemia become more severe and more obvious. Most people feel tired and may appear pale. When you attempt to exercise, you rapidly become breathless and develop a much faster heart beat than normal.
Pernicious anemia affects the nervous system. People develop problems with numbness and unsteady gait. Also, loss of appetite, impaired memory, and a sore tongue may develop.
Common symptoms which also occur in folic acid anemia are weight loss and diarrhea.
Sickle cell anemia often is associated with episodes of pain, recurrent infections, and a family history of similar symptoms.
Hemolytic anemia often produces jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes - dark urine, and a tender swollen spleen.
Iron deficiency anemia is commonly associated with blood loss. This may be due to surgery, to gastrointestinal bleeding, to heavy menstrual bleeding, and to recurrent nose bleeds.
Aplastic anemia is often the result of toxic injury to the bone marrow. There is often a history of antibiotic or medication use.
4.hypoglycemia
Functional hypoglycemia is the excessive production of insulin by the pancreas, which causes low blood sugar. This is not a disease and is often misdiagnosed. It is not a common medical condition except in diabetic patients.
Causes of Hypoglycemia, Functional
Functional hypoglycemia probably results when the pancreas produces too much insulin. This is in response to sugars and other carbohydrates, heavy exercise, pregnancy or unknown causes. The following drugs may decrease blood-sugar levels in some persons: tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, aspirin, sulfonurea medications, phenformin, haloperidol, propoxyphene, chlorpromazine, propranolol, pentamidine, disopyramide. Other uncommon causes are tumor in the pancreas and chronic renal failure.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia, Functional
Symptoms include: weakness,faintness, sweating, excessive hunger, nervousness, trembling hands, headache, confusion, personality changes, seizures (sometimes), heartbeat irregularities (rare), and loss of consciousness (rare).
These are the most common conditions. However I am not a Doctor Just another teenager with almost the same symptoms. Tell you parents, and your doctor!
What's your weight? Height? How long does your symptoms last? How does your body feel? Have you ever taking your heart rate during this? how severe is your symptoms? Does your vision change?
To help you, here are a few conditions you might have, though it could be more efficient with more information.
1. Fainting
Fainting occurs when there is Insufficient oxygen reaching the brain. This causes a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness.
Causes of Fainting
Numerous causes may produce fainting. These include a sudden decrease in blood flow to the brain, resulting from heartbeat abnormalities or diseases that limit the amount of blood that the heart pumps. Prolonged straining, such as from severe coughing or attempted bowel movements when constipated, can reduce blood flow to the heart and lead to fainting. Sudden emotional stress can lead to neurological output that produces fainting by slowing the heart and output of the heart. Rapidly rising from sitting or lying down, especially in chronically ill or bed ridden patients, can produce orthostatic hypotension. This leads to fainting. Hypoglycemia, severe pain and heart attack can all produce temporary loss of consciousness or fainting.
Signs and Symptoms of Fainting
Symptoms of fainting include sudden light-headedness, general weakness and falling. Blurred vision, nausea, pallor and sweating frequently occur. There is usually a rapid heart beat and rapid breathing. In the absence of heartbeat or breathing, a cardiac arrest may be initially mistaken for fainting.
2.Hypotension
Hypotension describes a condition in which the blood pressure is significantly below normal. It has many causes, some of which are life threatening. Loss of blood, either externally or internally is the most common cause. Systemic infections which can decrease the ability of the blood vessels to constrict and decrease the ability of the heart muscle to contract, can lead to hypotension. Neurological injury to the spinal cord, when severe, results in the loss of nerve supply to the blood vessels. They are no longer able to maintain tone or constrict and the blood pressure is reduced. Any type of damage to the heart can produce hypotension. In addition, irregular or rapid heart beats may not allow adequate pumping by the heart with the production of hypotension. Lastly, severe allergic reactions cause dilation of the blood vessels. The allergic response causes the blood vessels to become permeable and fluid leaks out of them. Both of these mechanisms may severely decrease the blood pressure.
Causes of Hypotension
The conditions leading to hypotension are related either to the amount of blood within the vascular system, the ability of the heart to pump the blood, the ability of the small arteries to constrict and the integrity of the nervous system. Dysfunction of any of these areas can lead to hypotension.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypotension
Depending on the severity of hypotension, the symptoms range from light-headedness to coma. Commonly, changes of position, particularly when standing up, will increase symptoms. The heart rate will increase and the person may faint. As hypotension becomes severe, the heart races to try and pump additional blood. The vessels of the skin are contracted to try and force blood to more vital organs. The skin usually feels cold and moist.
3.Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the ability to transport oxygen in the body is diminished. This occurs because there are less red cells or less hemoglobin. There are many types of anemias and they may be caused by a variety of problems.
Causes of Anemia
The causes of the various anemias are listed separately in this index. To further understand them please click on the appropriate type of anemia.
Signs and Symptoms of Anemia
Initially, people seldom have symptoms from anemia. However, as it progresses the symptoms of anemia become more severe and more obvious. Most people feel tired and may appear pale. When you attempt to exercise, you rapidly become breathless and develop a much faster heart beat than normal.
Pernicious anemia affects the nervous system. People develop problems with numbness and unsteady gait. Also, loss of appetite, impaired memory, and a sore tongue may develop.
Common symptoms which also occur in folic acid anemia are weight loss and diarrhea.
Sickle cell anemia often is associated with episodes of pain, recurrent infections, and a family history of similar symptoms.
Hemolytic anemia often produces jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes - dark urine, and a tender swollen spleen.
Iron deficiency anemia is commonly associated with blood loss. This may be due to surgery, to gastrointestinal bleeding, to heavy menstrual bleeding, and to recurrent nose bleeds.
Aplastic anemia is often the result of toxic injury to the bone marrow. There is often a history of antibiotic or medication use.
4.hypoglycemia
Functional hypoglycemia is the excessive production of insulin by the pancreas, which causes low blood sugar. This is not a disease and is often misdiagnosed. It is not a common medical condition except in diabetic patients.
Causes of Hypoglycemia, Functional
Functional hypoglycemia probably results when the pancreas produces too much insulin. This is in response to sugars and other carbohydrates, heavy exercise, pregnancy or unknown causes. The following drugs may decrease blood-sugar levels in some persons: tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, aspirin, sulfonurea medications, phenformin, haloperidol, propoxyphene, chlorpromazine, propranolol, pentamidine, disopyramide. Other uncommon causes are tumor in the pancreas and chronic renal failure.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia, Functional
Symptoms include: weakness,faintness, sweating, excessive hunger, nervousness, trembling hands, headache, confusion, personality changes, seizures (sometimes), heartbeat irregularities (rare), and loss of consciousness (rare).
These are the most common conditions. However I am not a Doctor Just another teenager with almost the same symptoms. Tell you parents, and your doctor!
Blue Fashion
New member
What's your weight? 120
Height? 5'6"
How long does your symptoms last? A few seconds
How does your body feel? It's almost like an out of body experience. I've tried to grab on to things to prevent falling and I've lost my grip. I almost have no control over my body for a couple seconds. I've sort of started to let myself fall into a wall so I don't get hurt from falling.
Have you ever taking your heart rate during this? No
How severe is your symptoms? They're noticeable by other people.
Does your vision change? My vision becomes blurry.
Height? 5'6"
How long does your symptoms last? A few seconds
How does your body feel? It's almost like an out of body experience. I've tried to grab on to things to prevent falling and I've lost my grip. I almost have no control over my body for a couple seconds. I've sort of started to let myself fall into a wall so I don't get hurt from falling.
Have you ever taking your heart rate during this? No
How severe is your symptoms? They're noticeable by other people.
Does your vision change? My vision becomes blurry.
illinoismommy
New member
Some people are susceptible to seizures brought on by computer images. How long are you on the computer when these episodes occur?
nataliebooo<3
New member
Try cutting back on your computer time and see if that makes a difference. Some people are more susceptible to visual overstimulation. Try not to worry too much. Be sure to keep your parents informed.