What is hyponatremia and what are its physical effects?
Hyponatremia means a reduced blood sodium (salt) concentration. When the sodium level falls below 130 mmol per liter, it creates, in mild cases, a general clouding of consciousness not unlike the slowing of brain function that occurs in drunkenness. Nausea and vomiting as well as lightheadedness and dizziness are frequently observed with mild cases. The brain swells as the sodium level gets lower, which results from the general state of fluid overload. To avoid hyponatremia I recommend you follow these easy guidelines: • Follow the fluid recommendations….drink only when thirsty! • Include pretzels or a salted bagel in your pre-race meal. • Favor a sports drink that has some sodium in it over water, which has none. • In the days before the race, add salt to your foods (provided that you don’t have high blood pressure or your doctor has restricted your salt intake). • Eat salted pretzels during the last half of the race. • Do the salt! Carry two small salt packets with you (the kind foun
