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

[ksorbello at hotmail.com (Kimberly Sorbello)]

This happened to the Chico State fraternity hazing victim who had to drink 
excessive water, thinking they were avoiding the legal and obvious dangers 
of chugging alcohol.  The kid died.


From: Richard Woods <wpsnotebook@charter.net>
To: PCT -L <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>, Mtnned@aol.com
Subject: [pct-l] Re: pct-l Digest, Vol 35, Issue 19
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 10:27:35 -0800

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
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