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Why Rehydration Drinks are Important for Athletes

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To stay healthy, people need to replenish the fluid in their bodies. Even if someone is just sitting in front of a computer, he or she needs to stay hydrated. In the case of athletes, hydration is especially important. Because they regularly engage in physically demanding activities, they run a greater risk of dehydration due to increased sweating. This leads to lower levels of water and electrolytes in the body, which can adversely affect performance. In extreme cases, dehydration can cause muscle spasms, nausea, convulsions and severe health problems. Because athletes have a greater chance of becoming dehydrated, they should consume an electrolyte drink or other oral rehydration solutions before and after an event or training. By enabling a person to stay active for longer, they can help improve performance and endurance. Here are the times during which athletes can be at the greatest risk of dehydration: • Dehydration During a Sporting Event: Athletes are most at risk o

Rehydration Drinks are here to Save Our Teen Athletes from Dehydration

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Young athletes across the country anxiously await the warmer weather of spring and summer and the thrilling sports and outdoor activities which accompany the seasons. However, in their excitement and quest for measured improvement, they often neglect proper intake of rehydration drinks . Though dehydration is often viewed as a potential problem for older adults only, children are just as likely to experience its side effects—particularly following strenuous physical exertion in spring and summer heat. To avoid becoming dehydrated, athletes should always drink sufficient levels of fluids before, during and after a practice, scrimmage or game. Coaches also carry a responsibility to educate players on the importance of hydration and offer adequate time for each teammate to rest and rehydrate away from the sun. Research by Dr. Susan Yeargin at the University of South Carolina recently found that nearly 75% of young athletes—those aged 8 to 18—show up at post-school practices alread

A Few Tips to Prevent Dehydration While Traveling

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For millions of Americans, traveling on airplanes has become a necessary evil. Though we recognize the time it saves as compared to other forms of transportation—cars, boats and trains—we dread the long lines, tiny seats, poor customer service and delays. Flying requires passengers to share limited personal space with others who may also be disgruntled, loud, and potentially sick passengers. This closeness, coupled with confinement in an enclosed cabin for an extended period, can pose problems for travelers during and after flights. One aspect of flying that travelers often overlook is their onboard health and, in particular, dehydration. Dehydration can cause nausea, cramps, fatigue, dry skin, dizziness, diarrhea and even a weakened immune system. Because aircraft cabins are kept pressurized with dry air (low humidity), dehydration affects a disproportionate percentage of travelers on longer flights. Realizing how dehydration can adversely impact a trip, it is essential

Oral Rehydration Solutions are Essential During Winters

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With winter just around the corner, Americans everywhere are beginning to dust off skis, snowboards, skates and hockey sticks in preparation for a busy sports season. Winter is a time for many spectacular outdoor adventures, though people often forget the importance of remaining hydrated.  It is a common misconception that the human body only becomes dehydrated during hot, humid months.Since the body is not overheating and any sweat quickly evaporates into the cold air, many believe that the body is not losing fluids and is not at risk for dehydration. In reality, dehydration is as much a potential risk in winter as it is in summer.  During periods of cold weather, the body’s thirst response slows dramatically—by as much as 40%—and this can occur even when the body is already dehydrated. The reason for this slowdown is blood vessels which constrict in the cold and reduce or eliminate blood from reaching the body’s extremities—lower body, hands and more. Due to this co