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Is Hyponatremia common? Should I worry about it?

Some people in my run group were talking about runners that have collapsed at marathons and Hyponatremia, is this common? Should I be worry about it?

Some people in my run group were talking about runners that have collapsed at marathons and Hyponatremia, is this common? Should I be worried about it?

While most runners recognize the importance of staying well hydrated, many don’t know about the inverse issue of excess hydration.  When you sweat during exercise, you lose essential electrolytes. One of these electrolytes is sodium, which is crucial to maintaining blood pressure and proper functioning of both nerves and muscles.  When sodium levels in the bloodstream fall below normal, the resultant condition is known as hyponatremia. 

Hyponatremia is not usually a concern for a healthy person at rest. However, during prolonged exertion such as a marathon, electrolyte loss from sweating can cause a drop in the concentration of sodium in the bloodstream. This drop can be exacerbated by drinking too much water during a long race, as many endurance athletes tend to do. The extra water without electrolytes throws sodium levels in the bloodstream further out of balance. This particular form of hyponatremia is known as water intoxication.   

Symptoms of hyponatremia include confusion, lethargy, nausea and muscle twitches, which may progress to seizures, and in severe cases can lead to coma and death.  Fortunately, there is an easy way to prevent hyponatremia: don’t overhydrate and take in sports drinks with the necessary electrolytes. 

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