Hydration/Dehydration/'Overhydration'.

Mike,

I am not aware of this theory - which does not, in
the least, mean that it does not exist - especially
now that I am no longer current in Medicine.

However, sodium is, predominantly, an extracellular
ion (potassium is predominantly intracellular) - which
makes it relatively easy to lower its plasma concentration
by dilution - rather than depletion.
This occurs frequently in a number of clinical scenarios
- with or without drug interreactions - and, certainly,
miners were notorious for developing cramps in the
hot, underground, conditions in which they worked.

Most UK miners I know (I used to work with them, both
clinically and bureaucratically before I retired) consume
enormous amounts of salt daily - although I do not
know of any sodium (or, indeed, potassium) balance
studies on this group of workers.

Hypoxaemia is not to be ignored - even at relatively
low altitudes - and combined with dehydration is cumulative
in its effects.

However - I had better stop - otherwise I will be accused
of starting up an esoteric and completely irrelevant
thread.

Perhaps some more enlightened practitioner (and there
are bound to be significant numbers of them in gliding
!) - preferably with research experience in this field,
will enlighten us all.

It would be interesting - and important.

Cheers,

Stan.
UK.