[pct-l] Re: pct-l Digest, Vol 35, Issue 19

[wpsnotebook at charter.net (Richard Woods)]

Cramping can be a sign of hyponatremia, the opposite of dehydration,  
caused by low electrolytes, which is basically a lack of potassium,  
magnesium and calcium instead of salt. Got it once or twice myself,  
even though I was getting enough salt and was sloshing with a belly  
full of water. You need all four for extended exercise, not just salt.

Dude, on this list, sent me a long description,including these symptoms:
- light headedness
- dizziness
- vertigo
- feeling bloated (lots of water in the belly)
- muscle cramping

and I looked it up on-line: http://www.geo-outdoors.info/ 
hyponatremia.htm
Part of their intro:
Hyponatremia is a condition known as "water intoxication."  It is the  
opposite of dehydration, and is often associated with long distance  
events like running and cycling.  Moreover, it?s not an unusual  
problem, and you can develop it in a few hours.

As you consume large amounts of water over the course of a day, blood  
plasma (the liquid part of blood) increases thereby diluting the salt  
content of the blood.  At the same time, your body also loses salt by  
sweating.  Consequently, the amount of electrolytes available to your  
body tissues decreases over time to a point where that loss  
interferes with brain, heart, and muscle function!  You have to  
replace these electrolytes!  They're essential to the normal electro- 
chemical operation of your nervous system.

Rick

On Mar 15, 2006, at 10:10 AM, pct-l-request@mailman.backcountry.net  
wrote:

> Sometimes a small amount of salt will help
>
> Chance
>
> Mtnned@aol.com wrote: What is the solution to muscle cramps on the  
> trail?  Does it mean  there is a
> nutritional deficiency?
>
> Mtnned