Dehydration

Recently I went hiking and thought that I could extend my hike without water. The effects were very bad and I am lucky to have that behind me. I should know the dangers as I have raced mountain bikes for ten plus years. Once and a while we must remind ourselves the basics. Below is from some research I did on the net.

Dehydration is a condition in with the body’s water output exceeds water input. Dehydration may develop from either an inadequate water intake or from excessive water loss. Dehydration resulting from as little as a 1% to 2% loss of body weight can impair physiological and performance responses. Symptoms can include thirst, fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite. Dehydration resulting from a 3% to 4% loss of body weight can further impair physical performance. Symptoms can include dry mouth, reduced urine output, flushed skin, impatience, and apathy. Dehydration resulting from a 5% to 6% loss of body weight can result in heat exhaustion. Symptoms may include difficulty in concentrating, headache, irritability and sleepiness. Dehydration resulting from a 7% to 10% loss of body weight can result in heat stroke and death. Symptoms may include dizziness, spastic muscles, loss of balance, delirium, exhaustion, and collapse. Symptoms of dehydration can progress rapidly from thirst, to weakness, to exhaustion and delirium and end in death if not corrected.