Dehydration - Part I
Sports medicine often focuses on injuries to the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular system. However, one category of injuries often overlooked are dehydration and heat-related injuries.

The severity of these injuries may range from slight dehydration, causing only minor effects on an athlete's performance, to a life threatening condition.... and even death. These injuries may be prevented through proper hydration.
Dehydration is defined as the deprivation of water from the body. During exercise, fluid levels within the body's tissues decrease. Water and other necessary body chemicals called electrolytes may be lost through sweat, urine, vomit, and through normal breathing. Dehydration occurs when these fluid losses are not replaced adequately. When the body becomes dehydrated, a dangerous deficit of water and electrolytes exists.

Research has shown that as little as 2 percent of body weight lost through dehydration can affect an individual's performance from 10-40 percent. Dehydration levels greater than 3 percent of a person's body weight increases the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Signs of dehydration may include:

cramping
dizziness
headache
irritability
nausea or vomiting
dry mouth
thirst
weakness
decreased performance
loss of consciousness
heat sensations on heat or neck
chills
decreased alertness
shortness of breath
Click here to continue
with PART II of this article.