Whether you are a novice runner or an experienced pro, you quickly learn the importance of training, nutrition and hydration in helping you perform at your peak. Of the three, hydration is far and above the most important, and will have the most profound and immediate effect on your overall performance.
During running, dehydration occurs due to two distinct factors:
- Loss of fluids from sweat, urine, and respiration
- Fluid intake less than fluid losses
When your body fluids become depleted, your blood becomes thick and sluggish, impeding its ability to deliver oxygen to cells in your brain, muscles and vital organs. At the same time, loss of electrolytes can interfere with nerve conduction and cardiac rhythms, setting you up for serious health issues.
Conditions Contributing to Dehydration
Dehydration can occur at any time, but there are certain conditions which increase your risk of dehydration:
- Elevated exercise intensity: At higher intensity levels, you sweat more, plus fluids are processed more slowly in your stomach and intestines during intense exercise.
- Hot and humid conditions: You sweat more in hot weather, and your body’s ability to cool itself decreases as humidity goes up.
- Restricted food consumption: A lot of your daily fluid intake comes from food, not just beverages, so if you eat less, you hydrate less.
- Beginning running in a dehydrated state: If you are already mildly dehydrated at the outset of your run, your chances of becoming severely dehydrated increase.
- Low fitness level: Less fit individuals who are not accustomed to running are at greater risk for dehydration.
- Failure to acclimatize: Running in an unfamiliar hot climate or at altitudes higher than you are accustomed to increases your risk of dehydration.
- Inappropriate clothing: Clothing that is too warm, does not breathe or is too restrictive can increase sweat production, leading to dehydration.
- Illness: Running when under the weather can increase your fluid needs and predispose you to dehydration.
Symptoms of Dehydration
There are a number of symptoms that can alert you to the fact you are becoming dehydrated, including:
- irritability and general discomfort
- headache
- weakness and/or dizziness
- cramps in legs or abdomen
- chills
- vomiting and nausea
- pulsating sensation in your head and neck
- disorientation
- decreased performance
Failure to acknowledge and act upon dehydration symptoms can set you up for heat illness and dramatically decrease your performance.
IV Therapy Intervention for Quick Recovery
If you are only mildly dehydrated, you may be able to restore healthy fluid and electrolyte levels by drinking water and sports drinks. However, to ensure full hydration, replenishment of electrolytes and restoration of your body’s need for micronutrients, IV therapy may be indicated. An IV therapy session rapidly replaces lost fluids and electrolytes, restoring them to optimal levels.
When combined with heat-related illness, dehydration can be life-threatening. Do not risk your performance, health and life by running on empty. Schedule an IV hydration therapy session today at Advanced Cryo NYC to optimize fluids, electrolytes and essential micronutrients.
