Hyponatremia?

[scoolover]

I guess that it's good to know that this exists but I have a hard time buying the whole concept. Dying because your water is too diluted. How many people have died because of this? It's not enough to really make me concerned. Like I said though. It's nice to have the info just in case.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I guess that it's good to know that this exists but I have a hard time buying the whole concept. Dying because your water is too diluted. How many people have died because of this? It's not enough to really make me concerned. Like I said though. It's nice to have the info just in case.

This is a head in sand approach. The chance of dying from this is very small. Usually during most major marathons, 1 person will die from it. At the London Marathon, a personal trainier who was in his late 20's died.

The more important lesson is to watch for the slight to moderate symptoms. These can just effect your performance to cause you to drop in the race. I heard from many WISH'ers would seemed to show these symptoms. I also know a couple of WISH'ers who had to drop. If they didn't they would have probably entered the next phase of being hospitalized.

If this wasn't a concern, all marathons(including Disney) wouldn't post warnings. This condition was mis diagnosed as dehrdration and only now getting full press.

I am a Ultramarathon Race Diretor and I worry about people not taking care of themselves. I don't want anyone to die at my races.

 

[scoolover]

Robert

Like I said, it is good to be aware that it can happen. It is something to keep in the back of your mind as a possibility but so is freak lightning on a georgous day. It can happen but is not very common. Why don't we hear more about the many deaths due to this? I have heard about two. I have never professed to know much about it but I just don't see it as a "major" problem.

 

[scoolover]

After further research, I stand corrected.

http://www.womenrunners.com/training_hyponatremia.htm

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/352/15/1550

My stance is that one should not, not drink at the expence of getting hyponatremia.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Robert

Like I said, it is good to be aware that it can happen. It is something to keep in the back of your mind as a possibility but so is freak lightning on a georgous day. It can happen but is not very common. Why don't we hear more about the many deaths due to this? I have heard about two. I have never professed to know much about it but I just don't see it as a "major" problem.

I again that the death possibility is not what the focus should be on. I agree if you are only worried about dying from it, I would tell everyone to drop this topic.

As mentioned, the fact the is getting lost is that hyponatremia doesn't only equal death. It's like saying only dehrydration equals death so we shouldn't worry about it either.

Both of these conditions occur 1000's of time at WDW in Jan. All on different levels. The lower levels effect performance. Isn't that something everyone should be concerned about? If you have to go slower or don't feel great, doesn't that matter?

At moderate levels, if it causes you to be light headed, sick to your stomach, and prevent you from finishing a race. Isn't this a concern for EVERYONE?

Yes, you have a greater chance of dying in a car accident. What we need to understand if we want to have a good race, finish strong, and finish, we have to learn of all the conditions that prevent this. We need to understand the symptoms and how to correct. This can be done on the fly during the race if we are prepared. If we don't care because it won't kill us, then go ahead and not prepare.

Hyponatremia happens all the time at races(not like a lightening strike), it just how bad it hits you. Death is rare but that isn't the only concern!

 

[bunnyfoo]

I remember last year there was a story in the news about a woman who was participating in a contest for a Wii and she died from drinking too much water. I guess it can happen even outside of a running/race situation.

 

[scoolover]

I again that the death possibility is not what the focus should be on. I agree if you are only worried about dying from it, I would tell everyone to drop this topic.

As mentioned, the fact the is getting lost is that hyponatremia doesn't only equal death. It's like saying only dehrydration equals death so we shouldn't worry about it either.

Both of these conditions occur 1000's of time at WDW in Jan. All on different levels. The lower levels effect performance. Isn't that something everyone should be concerned about? If you have to go slower or don't feel great, doesn't that matter?

At moderate levels, if it causes you to be light headed, sick to your stomach, and prevent you from finishing a race. Isn't this a concern for EVERYONE?

Yes, you have a greater chance of dying in a car accident. What we need to understand if we want to have a good race, finish strong, and finish, we have to learn of all the conditions that prevent this. We need to understand the symptoms and how to correct. This can be done on the fly during the race if we are prepared. If we don't care because it won't kill us, then go ahead and not prepare.

Hyponatremia happens all the time at races(not like a lightening strike), it just how bad it hits you. Death is rare but that isn't the only concern!

Well said and I agree after becomming more aware of the issue.

 

[WDWFAN9]

At moderate levels, if it causes you to be light headed, sick to your stomach, and prevent you from finishing a race. Isn't this a concern for EVERYONE?

Hey, I resemble that remark!

I didn't think I was drinking that much during the Jan full, but these were my exact symptoms. I'm sure it didn't help that the salt packet I grabbed at the food court turned out to be sugar. When I noticed that I was starting to weave as I walked I made the difficult decision to pull myself out at the AK. Fortunately the ill effects didn't last long, but it sure was scary!

 

[ultramickeymouse]

The other siide from what Pat mentioned is that it isn't only caused by drinking too much. It is an electroylte imbalance issue. I drank one or 2 cups of water at every aid station but took 1-2 endroyltes pills every hr. This imbalance can be caused before you even start the race and can be pushed along during the race.

Everyone is an experiment of one. These are guidelines and things to learn about and help you through the next race. To be homest. I did many, mnay ultras with taking endrolytes and always had problems in hot races. I would get sick and sloshy stomach. A friend turned me on and my last few ultras I ever did in 2001 really helped. After becoming an RD, I really tried to learn more. I have captained aid stations for many 100 milers where I am responsble for keeping runners going and if having medical issues help treat or have them removed by RD. We never want a runner to die.

A side story at Western States 100, a firend of ours came in totally out of it at mile 98. He was brought in on horseback. He had glazed eyes and had no idea who or what was going on. Four days later he had to go to the hospital and had 7 bouts of dialises. He has never been the same and can't do ultras do to the damage caused. He didn't die but his life and body will never be the same.

Pat did a smart thing as the last thing she would want is to spend the rest of her trip in the hospital.

Knowledge is a tool that you can do whatever you want with. Everyone train and race smart.

I want to see all of you at WDW in Jan

 

[wtpclc]

The otehr thing to keep in mind is that these can also be dehydration issues. Too confusing. Still, if you recognize these symptoms it's time to calll it quits and seek help.