WLS Patients Report Frequent Dizziness

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WLS Patients Report Frequent Dizziness:

What Causes It?

Many gastric bypass patients report frequent spells of dizziness. In

general they are using the word dizzy to describe everything from

feeling faint or lightheaded to feeling weak or unsteady.

Research indicates a state of chemical imbalance can lead to

temporary bouts of dizziness. When a bariatric patient feels dizzy

it could very well be related to the restricted diet. Most commonly

going too long between meals or not drinking enough water causes

bariatric patients to become dizzy or have a mild electrolyte

imbalance. Many patients self-treat dizziness by drinking water or

little sips of a sports drink such as Gatorade.

Dizziness may occur when too much time passes between meals, or as

an early warning sign of dehydration. Lack of food or loss of bodily

fluid interrupts the body's physiological process; the electrolytes

get out of balance.

Potassium, sodium and chlorine are the three dominant electrolytes

in the human body. Beneath our conscious awareness the electrolytes

are very busy jumping in and out of cells making it possible for

nerve impulses to travel from one nerve cell to the next. When we

are eating correctly, staying hydrated and pursuing a healthy

lifestyle it is likely the electrolytes will stay balanced and we

can enjoy a dizzy-free existence.

It is extremely dangerous when electrolytes become severely

imbalanced. Infants suffering from dehydration have died from

electrolyte imbalance. So have sufferers of anorexia.

If flu symptoms cause dehydration to the point of extreme dizziness

and disorientation one must seek medical help. Dehydration will

force a greater loss of potassium, which raises the sodium level in

all muscle tissues. At greatest risk is the heart muscle where an

increase of sodium may cause arrhythmia and death.

The sports and nutrition industry's guideline for water consumption

is one ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight. Carefully

monitoring fluid intake will help weight loss surgery patients avoid

chronic dizziness.