Off-bike hydration

[Becky]

If I get dehydrated, water alone will not re-hydrate me (even if I can keep it down, which isn't always) - I MUST replace electrolytes.

You mean I'm not the only one? It really does make me feel better to know that!

I've been "Googling" this afternoon and came across some electrolyte capsules- sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, etc. Have you tried these or similar?

[SadieKate]

There are many types of electrolyte capsules. You'll need to be more specific.

Endurolyte? Elete water? What?

[Becky]

Oh gosh...I can't remember what they were called! But it had never occurred to me that electrolytes would come in pill form.....I'm intrigued by the concept, but a little skeptical just the same.

//runs off to google Endurolyte and Elete.

[SadieKate]

Oh gosh...I can't remember what they were called! But it had never occurred to me that electrolytes would come in pill form.....I'm intrigued by the concept, but a little skeptical just the same.

Don't be! We've used both because we can supplement without taking in extra calories.

Elete is better for us because of the higher potassium, but there are lots of products out there.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Becky, you mention the 'headache stage' of dehydration.
Interestingly,headache is also one of the symptoms of certain electrolyte deficiencies:
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz..._disorders.jsp
If you still have unpleasant symptoms and headache that drinking plenty of water won't cure, then it's possible that the headache can be coming from a lack of sufficient electrolytes or other nutrients as opposed to being due to dehydration (insufficient water).
And yes, when we sweat a lot and become dehydrated we also tend to lose electrolytes and various other nutrients.

[gnat23]

Becky, you mention the 'headache stage' of dehydration.
Interestingly,headache is also one of the symptoms of certain electrolyte deficiencies:

...Holysnot. This could explain why I used to get a headache at mile 40 like clockwork.

-- gnat! (MWAH! I love this messageboard!)

[TahoeDirtGirl]

You can get tested for electrolyte levels in your blood. My surprise was finding out my potassium and sodium were low. I got a prescription for potassium and sodium, well...that one was easier. I don't get a headache with my electrolyte levels, I get my heart palpitations back-not as significant as I've had them before, but they start to bother me and I get that fluttery weird feeling. Yuck.

[Becky]

Becky, you mention the 'headache stage' of dehydration.
Interestingly,headache is also one of the symptoms of certain electrolyte deficiencies:
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz..._disorders.jsp
If you still have unpleasant symptoms and headache that drinking plenty of water won't cure, then it's possible that the headache can be coming from a lack of sufficient electrolytes or other nutrients as opposed to being due to dehydration (insufficient water).
And yes, when we sweat a lot and become dehydrated we also tend to lose electrolytes and various other nutrients.

That's a really interesting article. Thanks for sharing.