Dizziness, lightheadedness, and dehydration

The subject of dizziness, lightheadedness, and passing out was brought up on another forum. It has provoked a lot of good discussion about this problem, so I thought I would throw it out here too. It seems a large number of post-op WL patients experience episodes of dizziness and lightheadedness, especially when standing quickly.

It seems that dehydration may be a large part of the dizziness, light-headedness, muscle cramping and other problems that many post-op WL patients experience from time to time. I believe that post-op WL patients can be dehydrated enough to cause a problem and not really evven realize it. As you other post-ops have,  I have found that HYDRATION is a MAJOR deal following WLS.

I got this from MedicineNet.com:

What causes dehydration? Dehydration occurs because there is too much water lost, not enough water taken in, or most often a combination of the two.        Diarrhea: Diarrhea is the most common reason a person loses excess water. A significant amount of water can be lost with each bowel movement. Worldwide, more than four million children die each year because of dehydration from diarrhea.      

Vomiting: Vomiting can also be a cause of fluid loss; as well, it makes it difficult to replace water by drinking it.        Sweat: The body can lose significant amounts of water when it tries to cool itself by sweating. Whether the body is hot because of the environment (for example, working in a warm environment), intense exercising in a hot environment, or because a fever is present due to an infection, the body uses a significant amount of water in the form of sweat to cool itself. Depending upon weather conditions, a brisk walk will generate up to 16 ounces of sweat (a pound of water).        Diabetes: In people with diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels cause sugar to spill into the urine and water then follows. Significant dehydration can occur. For this reason, frequent urination and excessive thirst are among the symptoms of diabetes.        Burns: Burn victims become dehydrated because water seeps into the damaged skin. Other inflammatory diseases of the skin are also associated with fluid loss.        Inability to drink fluids: The inability to drink adequately is the other potential cause of dehydration. Whether it is the lack of availability of water or the lack of strength to drink adequate amounts, this, coupled with routine or extraordinary water losses, can compound the degree of dehydration.
What are the signs and symptoms of dehydration? The body's initial responses to dehydration are: 
1. thirst to increase water intake along with
2.       decreased urine output to try to conserve water. The urine will become concentrated and more yellow in color. As the level of water loss increases, more symptoms can become apparent. The following are further signs and symptoms of dehydration: 
dry mouth  
the eyes stop making tears
sweating may stop   
muscle cramps       
nausea and vomiting       
lightheadedness (especially when standing).

The body tries to maintain cardiac output (the amount of blood that is pumped by the heart to the body); and if the amount of fluid in the intravascular space is decreased, the body has to increase the heart rate, which causes blood vessels to constrict to maintain blood pressure. This coping mechanism begins to fail as the level of dehydration increases. With severe dehydration, confusion and weakness will occur as the brain and other body organs receive less blood. Finally, coma and organ failure will occur if the dehydration remains untreated.

I know that keeping a daily food and drink journal is a critical part of my personal routine.  Without it, I find that I "think" I have taken in enough fluids, but in reality, I come up short most of the time. With the journal, I can tell at a glance exactly where I am concerning fluid and food intake.

So, for the sake of passing on info and personal experiences, and informing and educating both pre and post-ops, have any of you experienced dizziness and lightheadedness since having WL surgery?
If so, have you discussed it with your WL Surgeon and what was his response?

Hey Bob, good subject. I was a victim, and I still am from time to time of the dizzines, lightheadedness and almost actually fainted one day while just standing talking to my neighbor.

It was time for my labs to be done and what was found to be my culprit was LOW potassium and I do mean low. It was actually found by Vanderbilt and they in turn called me and told me to call my PCP immediately and tell her so that something could be done. Well, she gave me potassium, I hope that I won't have to take it long term. I have yet to get my labs re-evaluated but will be doing that soon.

This can be a very baffling thing, at first my PCP thought that perhaps my problem was due to hypotension and hypoglycemia but neither was true.  It doesn't surprise me anymore that I am a mystery, I even have low "good" cholesterol, which I am not satisfied with as far as being told that there is no need to worry about it now. I don't want it to lead to something that I will have to worry about in the future, so I shall continue to seek answers for these issues. I haven't spoken to my surgeon concerning these matters but will have that opportunity in February.  Research and education are definately required along this journey before and after.


Diane

I have low "good" (HDL) cholesterol too, Diane.  60 is considered ideal, and 44 is the minimum desired reading. Mine was 29!  My "bad" (LDL) cholesterol was only 59 - an LDL  level of 70 or below is considered ideal.  My triglycerides level was 78, which is also excellent.  The importance of HDL is that it attaches to the "bad"  (LDL)  cholesterol and helps remove it from the blood, thus reducing the chances that the LDL  will cause blockage in the arteries. 

Unfortunately, according to the cardio specialists, theres's not a lot you can do  to significantly raise your HDL level. I was told that 4-6 ounces of red wine per day can help raise HDL a couple of points. Also,  eating red grapes has been said to possibly help a little.  Another way to raise HDL levels is to take naicin, but some folks don't care for the reaction they get from naicin.  Their skin turns a reddish color and they have a sensation of tingling or their skin crawling. 

According to the cardiologist, low HDL is caused by genetics, or as he put it, "You can't choose your Mama and Daddy".

Thanks for the informative post, Bob!

I've been a chronic diet Pepsi drinker for ages and caffeine can contribute to dehydration because it is a diuretic.  I'm lucky enough to have space for a dorm fridge at my desk and have been working on changing my dP habit to a Crystal Light Peach Tea habit.

I'm training myself to do the sip-sip-sip that the nutritionists are always talking about!  So far so good. I'm up to about 64 oz a day and haven't had any diet Pepsi products since Friday.

My kidneys are very pleased with the liquids.  I don't have as bad dry mouth at night either.  And I guess if I want to stretch it, I get extra steps on my pedometer from having to pee 4 times a day at work from all the fluids!

Doing my best to stave off dehydration one sip at a time!
Denise

Great subject Bob, I know I really have to watch the dehydration and low potassium due to the increased level of exercise and I'm bad about not drinking much water. Most of my fluid comes by way of coffee which I know is my one last vise! Like you if I didn't journal daily I would be in trouble. C'ya Bob

thank you so much for the post Bob. it was VERY informative and timely for me. I struggle daily with fluid intake.

I been standing on my head for about three weeks, Bob in bama...





So, will that give me an excuse for dizziness and all the other stuff????  




LOL...  Wonderful topic and great feedback... Thank you for all you do....  You light my path for sure.....  Tell sweet Patricia hello for me and that I miss her....

Thats why we love you so much Bob you make us see what we don't pay attention to.

Sometimes I get dizzy and its my blood pressure.  The nurse at the doctor's office asked me the other day, "Does your blood pressure normally run low?"  Yep.

Other times I'm dizzy because I don't drink enough water.

And at times I have problems with low blood sugar.  That in itself is a weird sort of dizzy and you can feel it coming on like a sweeping wave. 

Then sometimes I am dizzy just cause the peroxide bleach that the beautician used to bleach my hair kinda got to my brain.  either that, or I was really born blonde! LOL

Your not alone in these episodes.  It is happening more and more to weight loss patients everyday. 

RJ (my 10 year old) will come in the room, see me light headed, dizzy, and slurring my speech and say, "How much protein have you had today?"  He then makes me a protien shake and everything is OK!  I've got him trained!

The low blood pressure and low blood sugar has become a way of life for me.  Everytime I go to the Dr, I get asked the same question as Mel.  Is your blood pressure normally low?

Great post Bob!