Dehydration and soreness?

[Catrin]

I've the idea that dehydration can make us more prone to muscular soreness, but is this correct? I've read where it can cause cramping, but curious whether it can leave us open to more general soreness.

[Biciclista]

If it can cause headaches, I don't see why it couldn't cause soreness in other places too!

[Catrin]

I have some unusual soreness in places that I never have been sore, so was trying to figure out the reason. I know it can cause cramping, somehow I missed that it can cause headaches, so I bet that is it. I've been drinking far too much coffee lately and far from enough water

[indysteel]

You went on a three-hour hike this weekend over some steep terrain, right? Could your soreness be attributed to that?

Beyond that, I feel like poo when I'm dehydrated. My muscles feel fatigued, and I get dizzy and heachachey. While I don't know for sure that it can cause muscle soreness, my guess is that it certainly doesn't help the overall recovery process.

You've mentioned coffee before as an issue. How much of it are you drinking? Between dehydration and your sleep issues, you might think about cutting back. I stop with a cup or less first thing in the morning before switching over the water for the rest of the day. Another good trick is to start your day with a big glass of water first thing. That gets you started on the right foot.

[Sky King]

Just a bit off topic... We rode on Saturday and the DH was teasing me about my two water bottles for a 15 mile ride. BUT I have discovered if I only take 1 bottle I mentally limit myself in drinking and then don't drink enough and yes I attribute muscle soreness to lack of water. I also attribute my huge issue with achilles tendons to muscle cramping from lack dehydration and then overstressing the tendons (self diagnosis) I would rather stop and pee anyday

[Catrin]

You went on a three-hour hike this weekend over some steep terrain, right? Could your soreness be attributed to that?..........You've mentioned coffee before as an issue. How much of it are you drinking? Between dehydration and your sleep issues, you might think about cutting back. I stop with a cup or less first thing in the morning before switching over the water for the rest of the day. Another good trick is to start your day with a big glass of water first thing. That gets you started on the right foot.

Could be Indy, and it was actually a bit over 3.5 hours counting a couple of short breaks. I wasn't sore after the hike nor the next morning, but that doesn't mean there wasn't any "delayed" soreness. Very good point about that water as well. I love good, quite strong coffee and usually start the day out with 2.5-3 larger cups. Hmmmm...will experiment with cutting that down to one large cup (or 2 small) and drinking lots of water.

I am taking a true rest day today.

Just a bit off topic... We rode on Saturday and the DH was teasing me about my two water bottles for a 15 mile ride. BUT I have discovered if I only take 1 bottle I mentally limit myself in drinking and then don't drink enough and yes I attribute muscle soreness to lack of water. I also attribute my huge issue with achilles tendons to muscle cramping from lack dehydration and then overstressing the tendons (self diagnosis) I would rather stop and pee anyday

I hear you Sky King - that is one of the reasons why I use my hydration pack on the road. I know me, and even if I got comfortable drinking from a bottle while riding, I would never drink enough. I've enough problems remembering to drink when all I have to do is to move the tube to my mouth

[jusdooit]

My guess is the soreness is from the hiking. Having said that though, yes dehydration can contribute to muscle soreness. It will limit your bodies capacity to remove built up lactic acid in the muscles. Dehydration results in reduced blood volume, which in turn results in the bodies inability to transport toxins (lactic acid).

[AppleTree]

Just a bit off topic... We rode on Saturday and the DH was teasing me about my two water bottles for a 15 mile ride. BUT I have discovered if I only take 1 bottle I mentally limit myself in drinking and then don't drink enough and yes I attribute muscle soreness to lack of water. I also attribute my huge issue with achilles tendons to muscle cramping from lack dehydration and then overstressing the tendons (self diagnosis) I would rather stop and pee anyday

Exactly! Last summer I took only one water bottle on a ride beause he convinced me I didn't need two (to "save weight"). It was a two hour ride, and I ran out of water. I don't like that feeling.

I drink more water than anyone I know on a regular basis...and like you say, I'd rather stop more frequently for bathroom breaks than take a chance on being dehydrated. When I don't drink enough I feel sluggish and tired.