Wendy Williams low on electrolytes
What Your Body Needs to Keep Going!
Television personality and talk show host Wendy Williams was all over headlines recently when she suddenly passed out during a live tapping of her show late last month. Williams was opening the Halloween segment of the show when all of sudden it was visibly noticeable that something was very wrong. Williams struggled to read the intended words, slurred the lines and then collapsed to the floor. The screen immediately went to black and after a couple of commercials, Williams returned on screen in her green Statue of Liberty costume explaining that she got a “little over heated” but was perfectly fine.
Media headlines went into a frenzy about the talk show host and how she allegedly had a mild stroke. Williams denied all allegations about her health scare and confirmed per her doctors that she only had an episode of over heating due to the heavy costume she was wearing. She also went on to say that after ambulance checked her they discovered she was dehydrated and low on electrolytes. So why were so many people calling it a stroke instead of dehydration? There are many similarities between the two, however it’s very important to be able to tell the difference.
Electrolytes are an essential source of energy for the body, it’s like the battery to a car. Your car gives you warning indications when your battery needs replacement or is low and eventually if you don’t take care of it your car dies. When the body lacks necessary hydration and is being overworked it will eventually break down as a warning sign. This is exactly what happened to Wendy Williams.
“Electrolytes regulate our nerve and muscle function, our body’s hydration, blood pH, blood pressure, and the rebuilding of damaged tissue. Various mechanisms exist in our body that keep the concentrations of electrolytes under strict control. Our muscles and neurons are sometimes referred to as the “electric tissues” of the body. They are reliant on electrolyte movement between extracellular, interstitial and intracellular fluid (fluid inside, outside or between cells).”
According to health studies, here are a couple of key factors to know about electrolytes :
- Electrolytes are vital for the normal functioning of the human body
- Fruit and vegetables are good sources of electrolytes
- Electrolytes include sodium, potassium, calcium and bicarbonate
- The symptoms of electrolyte imbalance can include twitching, weakness and, if unchecked, seizures
- Elderly people are particularly susceptible to electrolyte imbalance
- Hypercalcemia – too much calcium – is common in cancer patients
- Kidney disease and severe dehydration can cause electrolyte imbalance
- Patients with diabetes or heart failure have an increased risk of low sodium levels
It’s always important to be aware of the state of your health and when it is time to give your body the boost it needs to keep trucking. Remember the body is fueled by what you put in it, so it’s imperative to know how to take care of it properly. As usual, always consult with your medical physician when necessary.
