Why do I feel shaky and lightheaded in the late afternoon?

Question

Between 4 and 6pm I regularly start to feel lightheaded and my hands start to shake. I will eat something and this helps. But I don't understand why its happening in the first place?

Answer 1

Too many liquid lunches.

Answer 2

its low blood sugar, you body hits a 'low' in the afternoon. I suffer badly with this and the follow things have helped me

a) splitting my meals up so I eat more regularly but smaller amounts and always eat at 3 or 4pm

b) having morning tea and having my lunch a couple of hours later than usual

c) exercising ie joining a gym, running

d) having a very very healthy diet with loads of vege juices, no junk food, no caffeine and drinking a lot of water

D isn't realistic to do all the time for most people but I have found that even by just doing C it completely fixed the problem. I have another friend who was also 'cured' of this by jogging every morning. I have NO idea why exercise should fix this but it did.

you should go to a doc too for a medical check up. good luck!

Answer 3

You're probably eating food that releases energy quickly, which means you get a 'high' and then a 'slump' later in the afternoon. Try eating things like brown rice and chicken or fish, sandwiches made with brown bread, and lots of fruit. You're basically going hypoglycaemic, which is what diabetic people have before they collapse (obviously non-diabetic people don't have the collapse and it's not as serious). Make sure you snack on dried fruit and nuts, and bananas, all of which give you great energy boosts.

Answer 4

Probably low blood sugar. Eat breakfast and lunch!!! A banana is a quick fix. Or maybe you drink a lot of coffee? The caffeine build up can do that by the afternoon.

Answer 5

You're hypoglycemic. You're blood sugars get low. Try eater more, smaller meals. Like at 11, eat a half of lunch. Then the other half around 2 or 3. You'll maintain sugars and metabolize better. I suggest going to the doctor too. They'll make sure you're not diabetic and give you tips from having it develop into diabetes.

Answer 6

That is when most people's blood sugar takes a dip........you just need to have a banana at 2:00 or so, or a bit of peanut butter, to get your blood sugar back up, and to feel energized! If you are dieting at all, THIS is the time NOT to grab for a sweet treat, for SURE!

Answer 7

It could be numorous things, You could be prego and if you are it would explain the symptoms. Prego women often get dizzy and light headed and nauseas. But it could also be that you are sick and could just be coming down with a very bad cold. Either way take a test and if its negitive go see a doctor because it could really be something serious.

Answer 8

It sounds like low blood sugar. Try having a piece of fruit, bananas are ideal. Also if you drink a lot of high caffeine drinks like coffee, tea or fizzy drinks they can also contribute to feeling light-headed.

Try to up your intake of water too. If you are working in an air-conditioned office you may be dehydrated.

Answer 9

It's because you're hungry! try eating a little something before you get to this stage, your body needs more fuel and its telling you in an extreme way as you let it get too far!

eat little and often and it should stop. If it doesn't go to your doc, he should send you for a blood test to make sure its not diabetes.

Answer 10

It may be low blood sugar, try eating a few light snacks before that happens.. like around 2, 3 and 4.. if it continues, see your doctor.. your body is trying to tell you something. take care

Answer 11

Low blood sugar.
Either eat something sweet or drink a sweet fizzy drink at lunch-time to boost your sugar levels.