It used to be that heat injuries such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion were commonplace among even the most well conditioned of athletes in every sport imaginable. The seriousness of these injuries have ranged anywhere from mild effects on performance to -- in extreme cases -- death! In every case, heat injuries can be avoided through the prevention of dehydration -- the primary contributor to heat injuries.

Dehydration Defined

Dehydration is a condition in which the body or certain bodily tissues suffer from lack of water. Dehydration may occur in dry climates and during the winter heating season. Extremely dry air causes the rapid evaporation of water from the skin and from the mucous linings of the respiratory system. The results are discomfort and sometimes cracking of the skin, unless it is protected by natural lubrications or lotions. Also, there is an increased susceptibility of the respiratory system to infections.

Dehydration resulting from poor dietary habits (low fluid intake, for example) and the use of certain medications, such as some blood pressure medicines, coupled with an extraordinary activity performance in a hot, dry climate is a leading cause of heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

The Most Common Causes of Dehydration

Illnesses that produce diarrhea and vomiting are common causes of dehydration, since both these conditions cause loss of body fluids. Other causes of dehydration include diabetes, kidney disease, excessive use of diuretics, liver disease resulting in accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, inflammation of the abdominal cavity resulting in fluid accumulation, and burns.

Some Initial Symptoms of Dehydration

Symptoms of dehydration include: thirst; sudden weight loss; rough, dry skin; dry mucous membranes; weak irregular rapid heartbeat; low blood pressure; lack of energy; general weakness; rapid and shallow breathing. Blood tests would reveal decreased water content.

Treatment For Dehydration

The treatment for mild to moderate dehydration is to have the individual drink water suffused with salt. As a general rule, the more serious the dehydration, the less salt one should administer. The sodium will act to pull water from body tissues and deliver this water to where the sodium is most concentrated at that time, i.e. in and around the digestive system. Taking away fluids from bodily tissues is what leads to the heat injuries discussed above.

If an individual suffers from vomiting, has prolonged diarrhea, or is unconscious, it may be necessary for medical personnel to administer saline solution (salt water) intravenously. At first, this might seem to contradict the earlier suggestion of lowering salt ingestion for a severe case of dehydration, but it does not. There is a tremendous difference between ingesting salt and administering salt directly into a vein. Saline solution applied intravenously more quickly perfuses throughout the cardiovascular system, leaving no area of body tissue devoid of water. Consequently, no hypotonic or hypertonic condition exists for a significant period of time. In severe cases, however, it can take anywhere from 48 to 72 hours to completely replenish water to normal levels.

To learn more about dehydration and other items that impact your training. Learn more about our Certified Personal Trainer Program.