How long do side effects like heart palpitations or insomnia last when taking herbal diet medicine?
These symptoms typically last for 1 to 2 weeks while your body adapts to the herbal ingredients. Initial increases in metabolic rate may cause dizziness or palpitations, but these usually subside over time. If the discomfort persists, we can adjust the concentration of the herbs to ensure the medication is comfortable for you.
It is quite common for patients to report that their 'heart feels like it is racing' when they first begin their regimen. Many people experience similar feelings of lightheadedness during the initial phase of metabolic acceleration.
Typically, palpitations or mild insomnia may occur within the first 1 to 3 days as your metabolism spikes. In most cases, these symptoms gradually disappear within about a week as the body acclimates.
From a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) perspective, this is viewed as a temporary hypersensitivity reaction occurring as the body clears 'Eohyeol' (stagnant blood) or 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid retention)—waste products that hinder the smooth flow of Qi. Patients with 'Bi-heo' (Spleen deficiency), characterized by weak digestive functions, may experience these reactions more intensely.
If you are still unable to sleep or feel significant discomfort after two weeks, your body is sending you a signal. Please do not try to push through it; let us know immediately. By finely tuning the potency of the prescription, we can find a 'comfortable pace' tailored specifically to your constitution. Finding the right concentration for your individual body is far more efficient for long-term success than simply enduring the side effects.
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