Symptom 9: Fainting or Dizziness
Everyone, at one point or another, has experienced that heady rush – a sudden lightness, the ground seemingly pulling away, the world momentarily swaying. Fainting or dizziness, particularly in the context of Dieulafoy’s lesion, isn’t just about losing one’s balance; it’s about the body signaling a critical internal imbalance.
Dieulafoy’s lesion, with its propensity for internal bleeding, can drastically reduce blood volume. This, in turn, affects the amount of oxygen-rich blood the brain receives. The brain, being the central processing unit of our body, is particularly sensitive to changes in its oxygen supply. Even a slight reduction can lead to dizziness or even fainting.
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. When there’s an internal bleed, there’s less blood available for circulation. Our heart, always the diligent worker, pumps harder and faster, trying to maintain an adequate blood supply to all organs. However, there’s only so much it can do. The reduced pressure, combined with the diminished oxygen, means our brain struggles to function efficiently. This feeling isn’t just a fleeting sensation. It’s an overwhelming lightheadedness, a fog that envelopes, and in extreme cases, can lead to a complete black out.(9)
