Water Warning

Water Warning I have one son who is a distance runner, and I find myself constantly reminding him to drinks lots of water before or during a meet. It was only recently brought to my attention that hydrating could actually harm him, maybe even kill him. In fact while there has never been a death in a marathon attributed to dehydration there several have died have over hydrating or hyponatermia . This condition is caused by the kidneys being unable to excrete water during exercise. According to new research runners who over- hydrate can actually flood cells and in severe cases brain cells can become so full they press against the skull, and this can be fatal. It is interesting to note that it usually occurs in runners who shuffle along slowly, drinking the length of the course, not the athlete at his peak. . I am always amused how my generation survived without continually nursing bottled water or a Gatorade. Apparently we were better off for those lines at the drinking fountains after all. I'm Susan Allen and this is Food Forethought Source: New York Times Thursday April 14 2005 Study Cautions Runners to Limit Intake of Water. By gina Kolata