| It's hard to attend a sporting event without seeing a | | | | A dangerous condition, this intoxication can sometimes |
| container of Gatorade on the sidelines, or watch a | | | | prove fatal. Though some people have water |
| game on television without seeing a plethora of | | | | intoxication and remain asymptomatic. Those that do |
| Gatorade commercials gracing the screen. While this is | | | | have symptoms initially experience vomiting, headache, |
| overt advertising, it does ring true. Gatorade, it turns | | | | and lethargy. As the water intoxication progresses, |
| out, was right: hydration in athletes is essential. But, it's | | | | confusion, seizures, lack of retention, and coma can |
| not only the Peyton Manning's and Shaquille O'Neal's | | | | set in. |
| who can benefit from proper hydration: people who | | | | With the risk of water intoxication and the risk of |
| engage in recreational exercise need proper fluid too. | | | | dehydration, athletes are left juggling the question: how |
| It's also not only Gatorade that is up to this challenge: | | | | much water is enough and how much is too much? |
| athletes can really go when they consume H2O. | | | | Essentially, it comes down to the length and intensity of |
| Still, no one really knows how much water to consume: | | | | a work out. Whenever you engage in a workout, fluids |
| eight glasses, eight liters, eight gallons? People who | | | | are lost through sweat and replacing them becomes |
| don't engage in habitual athletic activity can generally | | | | essential. For marathon runners and those who |
| keep themselves adequately hydrated by listening to | | | | engage in similarly extensive workouts - such as long |
| their body: when they get thirsty, they drink. Athletes, | | | | distance bikers - as much as two percent of body |
| however, require much more fluid intake. | | | | weight can be lost through fluids during the course of |
| So, runners, lifters, and bikers are met with making a | | | | the exercise. This causes the body, including the heart, |
| decision about water consumption. | | | | to work harder. When this happens, the athletic |
| In the past, the idea of drinking water had a bit of a | | | | performance risks compromise. This is an important |
| college fraternity ring to it, as coaches and trainers | | | | thing to remember for both professional athletes and |
| stood shouting "Chug! Chug!" in the background. | | | | those trying to just muddle through a workout without |
| Nowadays, this fraternity impression has been | | | | wanting desperately to quit. |
| replaced by one of caution: believe it or not, there's | | | | In addition to a compromised performance, not |
| such a thing as too much water. | | | | consuming enough water can lead to muscle cramps, |
| Water intoxication, or hyponatremia, is simply being | | | | general tiredness, and a lack of coordination. In short, a |
| drunk on water. When water is consumed in | | | | athlete who is adequately hydrated will almost always |
| extremes, it starts to affect the functions of the body. | | | | perform better than one who is not. |
