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Hydration/Dehydration/'Overhydration'.
Gentlefolk,
You need to be careful with rehydration - especially in tropical climes. Your body loses salt as well as water when you sweat and if you replace only with pure water, eventually you will develop 'water intoxication'. This is, actually, not easy to achieve in a few hours but can be done - typically in hospital, after surgery - if only dextrose is given intravenously (because the victim cannot take anything by mouth) rather than dextrose/saline or just saline solution. It is, however, quite possible in the flying context, especially with prior sweating/pure water replacement in a hot environment. A reasonably early symptom is cramp (underground miners used to get it by sweating a lot & replenishing only with pure water - so-called 'miners' cramp'). Take to extremes, this syndrome can result in convulsions & death - with mental impairment in between. I suggest simple, diluted, fruit squashes. These have ample salt - and occasional use will not lead to galloping hypertension or any other, modern, crime against humanity - unless, of course, you are severely predisposed. Opening pressurised bottles & cans at altitude is an amusing hobby - if you like the contents splattered all over yourself, your instruments and the canopy. Coca Cola is particularly obnoxious ! Have been there, done it & wear the T-shirt !! Cheers, Stan. UK. |
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