Does lack of sleep cause fatigue and dizziness?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a college teacher. I feel fatigue and dizzy for past one year. I slept very late one night and the next day while taking class had a dizzy feeling for a second. I felt that my head was reeling and on that afternoon I took off. It did not happen again but I felt weak with less energy, as if I am about to fall if I do not sit somewhere. I was unable to stand or walk for a longtime because of fatigue and lack of energy. Nerves were twitching sometimes. I saw several doctors but I was unable to convey my symptoms properly. Sometimes, I get a sudden panic too, with increased heartbeat, dizziness, etc., with a frightful feeling that something is going to happen. An MRI scan was done which is alright. Hypertension, thyroid, and sugar tests were done and that too fine. The doctor said it may be a stress reaction and he gave a tablet for fatigue. After having that tablet for a while, fatigue was gone, but other symptoms of panic attack, occasional tiredness still continues. Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your complaints very carefully. Believe me, it has happened to many highly educated people and they have recovered quickly. The giddiness you felt when you were taking class without sleep was a single episode which should not be confused with other symptoms. Due to lack of sleep and standing for a long time, you had dehydration leading to reduced blood pressure and caused dizziness. You felt well after you had good rest. It will not happen again, so do not worry about it. But what are the causes for other symptoms? Well. There is an explanation. Because of that individual episode, you were thinking so much regarding your health and became anxious believing you have something wrong with your health. Even if we sleep at night, our subconscious mind never sleeps. It observes what you are thinking and will do that to your body. Since you were thinking that you were having some unexplained problem, your mind started some bodily symptoms like fear, loss of energy, twitching of nerves, increased heartbeat and dizziness. This can be completely cured by positive thinking that you are very healthy and you do not have any health issues. Then your mind will stop creating these bodily symptoms and you can go back to your previous good health. At the start of the day you have to think this way. Several times a day you have to think the same and while talking to your colleagues and relatives tell them that your health is superb. You have no health problems, since your reports are normal. For time being you can take an antidepressant tablet like tablet Tryptomer (Amitriptyline) 10 mg at night for one month. It will reduce negative thinking and boost your positive thinking and completely will remove all your symptoms. Also start doing pranayama five minutes, five times a day. It will relax you and boosts your energy level. Close the right side of nose and inhale through left side for 10 seconds, hold breath for 10 seconds followed by that close left side and exhale through right side for 10 seconds. Practice makes you acquire this technique even in a day.

Answer 2

Dear Sir,Very Glad that all your symptoms disappeared. Tablet Tryptomer is just a mild antidepressant. Since you are now well versed with all relaxation exercises and following it properly, and thinking positively, I think we can stop the medication. For next 10 days, please take only half tablet, after that take half on alternate days for next 10 days and stop the drug. Please continue all the exercises. Regards.