I think I'm dehydrated...

sarahp

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I did a 50k bike ride yesterday in hot weather which took 3 hours, and it was my first big lot of exercise since my heart surgery.

After we got back I was completely wrecked - stomach cramps, headache, no appetite, and complete and utter exhaustion. Even today I was feeling like that, and struggled to concentrate while taking DH to work this morning. I stopped at Jamba Juice to get some sugar and cold liquid into me, and fell back to sleep after I got home, and am feeling better now, but I still feel wiped out.

I'm drinking lots of water, I just can't believe how much this affected me - I used to do triathlons, and 50k used to be just a short hit out.
 
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sarahp

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Just reading the symptoms of heat exhaustion - that sounds more like it... I was feeling quite nauseous all afternoon and evening, and definitely dizzy and weak. I'll have to be more careful next time I guess!
 

strange_wings

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You need to drink gatorade or another drink that has electrolytes in it. Just plain water won't do you any good and could even make you feel worse. A few salty snacks or a salty meal like a can of soup wouldn't hurt , either.

Another way to tell that you're dehydrated - is your urine more yellow or darker than usual?

I'm truly amazed you can handle biking that long! Until I can get a doc to listen to me even 30 minutes of exertion like that would knock me out - literally.
 

essayons89

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Originally Posted by Forensic

Water would do just fine, why wouldn't it? Gatorade is full of sugar!

And salt will only dehydrate more?
The human body needs a certain amount of salt to properly function. We can lose a lot of salt from sweating which can disturb the internal balance of salt and water in the body. Not only do we need to keep hydrated with fluids but the salt that was lost also needs to be replaced to maintain that balance. This is why "sport's drinks" have a high level of sodium in them. According to Men's Health, Vitaminwater is one of the worst "healthy" drinks on the market.
 

kittybernard

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Hey now! I don't know your whole story, but considering the circumstances, that is really amazing! One day you'll be back/close to your old shape.. I quit the second the hot sun hits me. WHERE'S THE SHADE?!?!
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by Forensic

Water would do just fine, why wouldn't it? Gatorade is full of sugar!

And salt will only dehydrate more?
Salt tells your kidneys to hold onto water, otherwise if you just drink a lot water your kidneys will let it and potassium go. But if you take in more salt you need to take in potassium too because higher amount of sodium will make you lose it - hence the gatorade suggestion as it has both.

I have issues with low blood volume and dehydrate easily (also mildly heat intolerant), I have been specifically directed by my cardiologist to drink gatorade for the reasons I listed above.
 
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sarahp

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I was just at the shops so bought some Gatorade while I was there. I would have bought some earlier, but I didn't have the energy to leave the house and face the shops...


I'm definitely feeling a little more perky now
 

gailc

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I dehydrate very easily. One of my symptoms is that I stop sweating.
What I suggest is if you do this type of exercise again is to weigh yourself before and after you come home. I do this when I know I have a full day outside. I already have had days in late April/early May that I have lost 4 pounds after working outside 5 hours!! I know I have lost more last in year it was 6 pounds once.
Besides gatorade I carry emergen-C electrolyte replacer-I usually buy powder-its cheaper.
If you know a trainer gatorade does make an electrolyte replacer in small pkts-my sister got me some I haven't used it but she said its nasty tasting.
In many of the paper mills around this area they have salt tablets for the millworkers to take on hot days.

You should also take a resting pulse the day of a ride and then the next day and I think if its 5 or 10 beats higher no exercise should be done that day.
 

mer636

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eekk hope you feel better sunstroke and heatstroke are not fun!
 

wildfire203

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if you know your going to go biking ahead of time try drinking lots of water the day prior then at least 8oz a hour before you leave thats what the medics always tell us to do before doing hard pt
 

gailuvscats

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Salt is essential when you are dehydrated. Not just from sweating, but from anything ie: diarrea. It makes all the difference, and before you decide to embark on such an endeavor again, you should consult with a sports nutrionist, or do some research. You could really harm yourself by not knowing what your body requires.
 
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sarahp

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I'm still having tummy cramps, nausea, not much of an appetite and this morning had "the runs".
Maybe it's something else? I'm booked in to see the doc tonight
 

2dogmom

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Years ago when I was living north of LA (in the Conejo Valley) I was a jogging fiend - I'd go out and do 10 miles. Well one day I got back from my jog (this was summer) and almost passed out - I mean I was sick. I saw on the news later that evening that it had beenone of those days with really bad smog. They had advisories that the elderly and people with health problems should stay indoors.
So in addition to the fluids and salt, watch the air if you're in a bad part of the Golden State for it.
 

strange_wings

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Also, if you truly suspect heat exhaustion then you need to try to stay out of the heat all together until your body recovers. If a doctor suspects this you'll probably have your electrolytes tested - you may want to ask them to check your magnesium, too.

Several years ago I made a big mistake and ended up with heat stroke, it was a very frightening experience - I didn't just feel bad/sick while it was happening. I probably should have been taken to the ER but my dad...
That night and the next few days I was in pretty poor shape, very sick. It took me nearly two years to be able to sweat normally again and to be able to even slightly tolerate the heat. I suspect that played a part in the health issues I have now...

I hope you can get to feeling better soon.
 

persi & alley

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Originally Posted by sarahp

I did a 50k bike ride yesterday in hot weather which took 3 hours, and it was my first big lot of exercise since my heart surgery.

After we got back I was completely wrecked - stomach cramps, headache, no appetite, and complete and utter exhaustion. Even today I was feeling like that, and struggled to concentrate while taking DH to work this morning. I stopped at Jamba Juice to get some sugar and cold liquid into me, and fell back to sleep after I got home, and am feeling better now, but I still feel wiped out.

I'm drinking lots of water, I just can't believe how much this affected me - I used to do triathlons, and 50k used to be just a short hit out.
I have related in another post how I almost died last week from dehydration. It is nothing to take lightly. I am also a former marathon biker and I never left home without my bike's water bottles being filled and my camel back being filled. I have had many bikers tell me that they do not want to use a camel back because of the weight it adds. Water weighs 8 pounds a gallon. I had a three thousand dollar bike because of it's weight and then I turn around and add water weight but I have seen what dehydration can do first hand. Drink massive amounts of water before your ride, during your ride, and after your ride. If you are worried about the additional weight of the water, and many are during competition riding, it's a choice you have to make. Mine was to carry all the water I could OR if doing some type of lap competition have somebody to hand you water without slowing down (this is a great trick and requires much practice.) But I am sitting here right now at 11 in the morning and I have just finished my 4th Perrier and have 8 to go today. Doctors orders after my blood pressure dropped to 80/40 last week due to extreme dehydration. (Not caused by exercise.)
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by Persi & Alley

I have related in another post how I almost died last week from dehydration.
Last week?! You don't get any breaks do you?
...and 80/40 is bad?
 
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