Tag Archive for 'dehydration'

Drink before, during and after your workout

Published
by
Jana
on June 30, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

Now that summer is here, it is even more important to stay hydrated. This is especially true when it comes to working out. At least two quarts of water a day are recommended for the average person. and even more may be needed to keep you from getting dehydrated depending on your size and fitness level, temperature, and humidity.

When you exercise, your body sweats to keep you from overheating, but if the salts, fluids and electrolytes are not replaced, the body cannot cool itself. This can lead to cramps, dehydration or heat exhaustion. If this happens, your symptoms may include cool, moist skin, a fast but weak pulse, and quick, shallow breathing. If heat exhaustion is not treated, it can lead to heatstroke, which is a life-threatening condition that needs immediate medical care.

When you are working out, don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink water. According to experts, you should drink about 7 to 10 ounces of water every 10 to 20 minutes when you exercise for less than an hour. Consider drinking a sports drink if your workout lasts longer. Sports drinks are designed to not only keep you hydrated but to help you maintain your blood’s electrolyte balance and give your working muscles fuel. The Journal of Physiology has found that high-carb sports drinks might even make your workout better.

 Athletes performed better on stationary bikes after they rinsed with a high-carb drink than they did after they drank saccharin-flavored water according to  researchers at the University of Birmingham in England. Carbohydrates in the sport drinks are believed to be what made the difference. These carbohydrates make contact with the receptors in the mouth, which may send signals to the brain to improve exercise performance.

The researchers were able to identify the regions of the brain that the sports drinks activated by using functional magnetic resonance imaging. The scans indicate that the drinks trigger areas that help control pleasure and motor control. Our brain sees this exercise as less intense, so we can work harder. Artificially sweetened drinks not have the same positive effect.

Try different sport drinks to find the best one for you. Some people use water to weaken the taste or decrease the carbohydrate intake, which will help reduce calories. Remember to hydrate before, during and after your workout.

Having diarrhea for more than 24 hours could mean food poisoning

Published
by
Jana
on March 10, 2009
in Health and Wellness
. 0 Comments

If you are unfortunate enough to get diarrhea that lasts more than a day, you might want to consider that it might be food poisoning. 

Each year, almost one-fourth of Americans deal with a food-borne illness. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, a very small number of cases are attributed to well-known outbreaks such as the recent salmonella-peanut scare.

More than 250 food-related types of illnesses, including viruses, bacteria and parasites, have been counted by scientists. Norwalk-like viruses, known for making cruise-ship passengers sick, are the most common. According to the CDC, almost two-thirds of know food poisoning can be blamed on them.

The next most common are two types of bacteria, campylobacter and salmonella. About 14 percent of food poisonings occur from campylobacter bacteria and around 10 percent point toward salmonella.

A decade ago, a group of CDC scientists came up with the best estimate of how many Americans come down with food poisoning each year: 76 million cases that ended in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths.

There are no recent numbers available, but the numbers are projected to be close to 87 million cases, 371,000 hospitalizations and 5,700 deaths. These figures are from the Associated Press calculation which used the CDC formula and current population estimates.

More than 640 illnesses in 44 states and nine deaths have been caused by the recent peanut-related salmonella outbreak. The source of the outbreak was found at a Virginia-based company that makes minor -label peanut butter, peanut paste and other products.

These numbers are no where near the actual amount of cases. A confirmation on a case occurs only after a lab test is sent to the CDC. So many people just suffer through it without even going to a doctor.

Health officials believe that for every salmonella case, there are about 36 unreported cases.

Some symptoms of food poisoning are extreme diarrhea that lasts a day or more, possible nausea, vomiting or stomach cramps. If you get these symptoms, do not get dehydrated. Drinks such as CeraLyte, Pedialyte or Oralyte may help. Sports drinks like Gatorade are not enough to help. Diarrhea medicine such as Pepto-Bismol can also help.

See a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms: temperature of 101.5 degrees or higher, blood in your stool, continuous vomiting, dizziness, decreased urination or other dehydration signs, or diarrhea that lasts for more than three days.

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