I've had a combination of going a bit too long between meals and sleep deprivation + jet lag lately due to stressful work projects And today I have last eaten around 10:30am and then went to sleep around noon; woke up around 3:30pm and have been feeling groggy. Had a couple bites of dark chocolate and a bottle of water around 5pm and then went record shopping at a place nearby.


Stood on my feet flipping through the record bins for over an hour and then at maybe 6:45pm or so there was a second or two where I started to go blank and then started falling. The timeframe is hard to say as it happened so quickly. I did not suddenly bend down or get up from a seated position before the episode happened - I was standing while it was happening.

I'm not sure if I had actually fallen and was on the way back up or if I was still on my feet the entire time. No one was around me and so I didn't have anyone to ask if I'd fallen. Unfortunately it was in an area of the store that is mostly obscured from view and so people who weren't in this section of the store would not have been able to see.

Would it be glaringly obvious if I fell down and hit my head? This dizziness/fainting spell is making me nervous. Anyone experienced something like this before?

Hi keeponmovin,

You mention

too long between meals
sleep deprivation
over worked
jet lag

possible dehydration??
possible low blood sugar??

standing for long time in what sounds as if it was somewhat enclosed space (record shop).

Maybe try to get more rest and regular sleep and wait for the jet lag to pass. Drink more water if you've not been having enough regularly. Too little water can mess up our blood sugar and electrolytes and if you're eating at different times then that would affect you as well. Combine that with lack of sleep and jet lag, well there you go. Seems "normal" to me that you'd feel a bit dizzy.

Get hydrated and get more rest and back into regular sleep and eating cycle and see how you're feeling.

I'm not a doctor but if all those things were going on for me, I'd feel a bit faint as well. Worry about the state of your stressed body for the moment and see how you're feeling later.

take care

Hi, keeponmovin,

I'm not sure I understand your question. You don't know if you actually fell?

Where were you when you woke up? If you'd fallen, you would almost certainly have been on the ground or close to it. And the chances are that some part of you might have been hurt to the point where you'd notice it, even if it was just a grazed knee.

But whether or not you fell, blacking out is something to be concerned about. The first thing you need to do is look into any medicines and supplements you might be taking. Some of them can have serious side effects.

But it also sounds as if all you'd had to eat that day was a bit of chocolate, and at 6:45 PM you fainted or blacked out. As Lara said, going without food for such a long time isn't something many people can get away with even though there are people who intentionally fast.

A regular schedule for meals and sleeping can work wonders, particularly if you're making sure that you're getting the foods your body needs.

Have you had a physical exam recently? You might want to be checked to be sure you don't have some problem causing loss of consciousness.

The 'black out' period appeared to be very brief. I was standing up and flipping through records and then very randomly/suddenly my body and and arms started to fall downward. I don't remember the exact moment in time between the black out and starting to fall.

From what I best recall, I regrouped with my head facing down kind of at my chin, a bit slumped over, but on my feet. It seemed like only a couple of seconds, but I really can't tell how long.. That had never happened before and I didn't appear to feel any pain from a fall. It was strange how I seemed to quickly be out but on my feet.

I do "unintentionally" fast a lot and it's a bad habit. Growing up, my family were mainly one meal a day eaters and so I've rarely eaten breakfast my entire life. I think my body got used to long stretches between meals. I'm a guy and work from home without a rigid schedule and so it's easy to get distracted. Things like keeping a sleep and eating schedule can be a real challenge at times. I've been going to bed at erratic hours and some nights only getting 2-3 hours sleep as well. Definitely need to make improvements.