Whos at risk for hyponatremia?
• Distance athletes participating in events longer than 3-4 hours • Slower athletes having more time to consume fluids assume an even greater risk • Inexperienced participants, often educated to “drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated” exhibit a higher risk • Participants in races with a high availability of drinking fluids are at increased risk • Additionally, low body weight, female sex, and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories have been found to be risk factors. Unfortunately, symptoms of hyponatremia are similar to those of other medical conditions that affect distance athletes (i.e., heat illness, dehydration and exercise-associated collapse). Symptoms of hyponatremia include fatigue, light-headedness, weakness, cramping, nausea and headaches. Symptoms of severe hyponatremia include confusion/disorientation, seizures and coma. The diagnosis of hyponatremia involves an exam to screen for the other conditions listed above. Patients with a normal rectal temperature and without s
