Fainting

(Brendan) #1

Hi,

I started the ketogenic diet at the start of the year. Up until tonight I have been enjoying it and I’ve felt stronger. But, tonight I fainted straight after eating my dinner. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

(Full Metal KETO AF) #2

No I haven’t but it sounds like low blood pressure. Drink more water and make sure that you’re getting enough salt. You don’t retain these like you do when eating a higher carb diet.

(Brendan) #3

Thanks for the quick response David. I have been drinking plenty of water and keeping up with my electrolytes. Perhaps not enough though.

(Full Metal KETO AF) #4

Things can sneak up on you, I often realize I have been a bit negligent on both of these. But my blood pressure is not what I feel first, usually cramping in the extremities or a sudden headache. I hope you are feeling better. If it’s just happened I would drink water and lie down for a while. :cowboy_hat_face:

(Brendan) #5

The feet are up and the water is in hand. Thanks David.

(Cindy) #6

Brendan, don’t force extra water. Too much water can flush the extra electrolytes. I don’t think electrolytes are to blame for everything, though, so depending on you (what meds you take, your overall health, etc), you might want to get this checked out. Do you have blood sugar issues? Blood pressure? What other issues are you encountering? Any leg cramps? Other dizziness throughout the day?

Just don’t want you to think “eat salt” and maybe ignore something more serious.

(Full Metal KETO AF) #7

But it’s a good place to start at the onset. Not to oversimplify things of course.

(Carl Keller) #8

I would recommend 1.5-2 teaspoons of salt over the course of your day. If your fainting and low blood pressure persist, I would definitely get it checked out.

(Cindy) #9

Yes, I agree! I have electrolyte tablets because I don’t care for a lot of salty flavor or added salt in water, etc. My first couple of weeks of keto, if I started getting a headache or felt “off,” I’d take one. It usually seemed to help, but might have been just psychosomatic.

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #10

Do a search on Postprandial Hypotension and see if this sounds familiar. Was it a particularly heavy meal and do you already have low blood pressure? I hope you’re feeling better but if it continues or you feel worse seek medical attention. Sometimes fainting isn’t related to what we were just doing, sometimes it’s something else.

(Brendan) #11

Thanks for the advice and support. I don’t have any health issues. If it happens again I will be paying a visit to my GP.

(Full Metal KETO AF) #12

I doubt that, it seems to be a common experience.

I take Himalayan Pink Salt rocks like you would put in a salt grinder. I weigh out about 5 grams and put them on the tongue in batches washing them down. I usually feel better in less than 10 minutes.