Dizziness and a rapid heart rate are both symptoms associated with your circulatory system that may be a sign of a serious condition. If these symptoms develop after you eat, you need to call 911 because you may be experiencing anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening allergic reaction. Anaphylactic symptoms may develop within seconds of eating a food that triggers an allergic reaction. An allergist is the most qualified doctor to diagnose and treat your condition.
Food Allergies
Dizziness and a rapid heart rate after eating is the result of a food allergy. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that the most common foods that cause an allergic reaction in most people include wheat, soy, eggs, dairy, tree nuts, fish, peanuts, chocolate, tropical fruits and tomatoes. Most food allergies develop in early childhood and subside by adulthood, although a food allergy can affect anyone at any age. People with a family history of food, medical or airborne allergies are more likely to develop a food allergy.
Cause
Eating a food that triggers an allergic reaction can cause symptoms to develop in your body that are minor to severe. Severe allergic reactions are called anaphylaxis and could lead to death if not treated. During anaphylaxis, your immune system identifies the proteins in the food as a threat to the body. The immune system fights back at the allergen by producing immunoglobulin E antibodies, which trigger mast cells to produce histamine, according to MayoClinic.com.
Anaphylaxis
In minor cases of a food allergy, these chemicals cause nasal congestion, shortness of breath and skin irritation. During a severe reaction, your body releases extremely high amounts of these chemicals, causing inflammation and constriction of your bodily tissue. This can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, which causes the dizziness and rapid heart rate. The increased heart rate is typically accompanied with a faint pulse that can cause mental confusion and light-headedness. Other symptoms of anaphylaxis include a metallic taste in the mouth, facial swelling and hives.
Treatment
If you have an epinephrine pen with you, take it out and inject it into your body. This medication will alleviate your symptoms short term. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for further assessment. If you do not have an epinephrine pen, you need to call 911 for emergency medical personnel. If left untreated, this condition can cause death.
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