DFW Running Club!!

pania

Idiophreak wrote: »

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It's kinda like the three bears, only with more death.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

pania

Water intoxication (also known as hyperhydration or water poisoning) is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits by over-consumption of water.[1] Normal, healthy (both physically and nutritionally) individuals have little to worry about accidentally consuming too much water. Nearly all deaths related to water intoxication in normal individuals have resulted either from water drinking contests, in which individuals attempt to consume more than 10 liters (3 metric gallons) of water over the course of just a few minutes, or long bouts of intensive exercise during which electrolytes are not properly replenished, yet massive amounts of fluid are still consumed

pania

this article may be better


Our body has a balanced method of processing and excreting fluids, either through urine or perspiration. Over-diluting the sodium and potassium levels in the blood plasma through excessive consumption of water is called hyponatremia and contributes to what is called an osmotic shift of the fluid inside and outside the cells. The pressure from this action results in a swelling of the cells, often in the central nervous system, including the brain. This may result in water intoxication, which is not as serious as water poisoning, or as it is also called, hyperhydration.
When the cell membranes can no longer withstand the pressure, the cells can begin to die. This is indicated in more serious forms of water intoxication and water poisoning. Symptoms of water poisoning include lightheadedness, vomiting, headache, nausea and unresponsiveness. When the sodium in the blood plasma falls to dangerous levels, swelling of the brain, coma, seizures and possibly death may occur.
What constitutes a fatal amount of water can vary from person to person, depending on one's state of health, his or her physical activity at the time, the temperature and the amount of time in which the person consumes the water. For some, a one time consumption of six pints (three liters) can prove deadly. Although the person consuming the water may lose a lot of fluid due to perspiration during heavy labor or exercise, the electrolytes are not replaced fast enough to avoid water poisoning. :eek:
Those particularly at risk for water poisoning are athletes engaged in long distance running. Due to the need to replace large quantities of lost fluid, runners must drink a lot of water. This can lead to water poisoning, so runners must replenish their fluids with sports drinks that have added electrolytes. There have been several tragic cases of water poisonings at marathons and sporting events throughout the world, including the death of Cynthia Lucero at the 2002 Boston Marathon.
Other factors that contribute to water poisoning include the use of the drug ecstasy and hazing practices. Many “ravers,” while taking ecstasy, drink large quantities of water to avoid dehydration. Their reduced ability to reason can make this behavior dangerous. Many college students have been rushed to the hospital after consuming excessive amounts of water in hazing rituals. Psychiatric diseases can also lead to water poisoning. Psychogenic polydipsia is a condition in which the affected person feels a need to drink a lot of water for unknown reasons.
Water poisoning is completely avoidable. For athletes, paying attention to how much water is consumed in one sitting, as well as using sports drinks to replenish lost fluids, is the best advice. When one feels thirst, the body is signaling dehydration, not an imbalance in electrolytes. It is commonly accepted among medical experts that it is more important to avoid dehydration than to attempt to avoid water poisoning. One should trust his or her instincts when drinking water and use common sense.



whoever said all you need is a pair of trainers and off you go!!! :eek:

evab_2

I knew water was bad for you! he he

RichOneday_2

sallyx wrote: »

God im scared now....I also remember you saying something before I did the Half about the intake of hydration/energy drinks against water? Was it something like drinking too much water could lead to passing out/death because of your salt levels? That it was better to hydrate with a power drink? God I can't remember enlighten us oh Font of all Knowledge Rich

There's no need to be worried - you've got to be a bit daft to do yourself any harm.

When you've got a choice, isotonic sports drinks are far preferable to water because they contain electrolytes in the same concentration as they exist in the body. This leads to the fastest possible absorption.

In a marathon, the people who get into trouble are those who drink as opposed to sipping.

If you drink a 500ml bottle of water at every drinks station (every mile) you are going to drown and die of water intoxication.

However, you would get a lot of abdominal pain beforehand and wouldn't be able to run with all that fluid inside you - so its probably the ones have started walking who are at most risk, although still incredibly difficult to drink so much.

When racing a marathon you only consume a mouthful(50-100ml) at each drinks station and even then you probably miss every other one. This would lead to consuming 13x (50-100)ml, ie 650ml - 1.3 litres which is plenty by anyone's requirements.

Idiophreak

Have to say, I'm amazed how little I have to drink when running. I assumed I'd need to drink a fair amount, but I never even think of taking water for anything <10 miles...more than that, I'll take 1l of water in my camelback, but have 2 or 3 sips at most, just to wet my mouth more than anything. On a hot day, I'll probably neck a pint of water when I get back, but I've not drowned yet

sallyx

Knew all you clever lot would be off googling. Right so I only need to take couple of mouthfuls and the more sports drinks the better.! Sorted, now just need to be able to run to those water stations!

Idiophreak

Also, on the whole isotonic thing, surely for the bulk of us, who want to be losing weight, we're better off just drinking water for our training runs and just switching to iso if we need it in longer races?

sallyx

Idiophreak wrote: »

Also, on the whole isotonic thing, surely for the bulk of us, who want to be losing weight, we're better off just drinking water for our training runs and just switching to iso if we need it in longer races?

Oh yes good point. I have only ever drunk water on training runs but then I guess ive never run far enough to need to have isotonic drinks really. I guess when I get to my 18-20 mile runs :eek: I will have to think about it. Actually whats the advantage of those sachet energy things over the drink? or is it that you have the sachet and drink water?

becky_rtw

Idio - I only use isos for long runs or I take raisins with me partly because water is MSE free and partly because I find those sports drinks really really sweet and gross!

Oh I've asked for a camelback for xmas - which one do you have??