The US Commander of the US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM), Brigadier General Michael B. Cates had on 20 Apr 2007 sounded out a warning in his memorandum on “Heat Injury Prevention Policy” for military commanders to be on the alert for water intoxication or hyponatremia:
This was stated in paragraph 5 of the “Information Sheet: Heat Injury Prevention Program”
” 5. A number of deaths occurred in the Army due to water intoxication or hyponatremia. Proper water consumption guidelines4 should be followed in order to prevent overhydration. Fluid needs can vary based on individual differences (± ¼ qt/hr) and exposure to full sun or full shade (± ¼ qt/hr). Hourly fluid intake should not exceed 1 ½ quarts and daily intake should not exceed 12 quarts.” (link)
Comments: Water intoxication does not simply implies drinking alot of water at one go but also continuously without adequate replacement of electrolytes.
Of interest would be paragraph six:
“3. Newly mobilized personnel, especially those from cool climates, are more at risk of becoming a heat casualty when exposed to hot weather and not properly heat acclimatized. Training in a compressed timeframe before deployments increases the risk. The 2003 Ranger and Airborne School Students Heat Acclimatization Guide2 provides practical guidance for optimal heat acclimatization to both maximize
performance while minimizing the risk of becoming a heat casualty.”
Comments: I would extrapolate the “cool climate” in the paragraph 3 to students here who been studying in air-conditioned classroom for umpteen years before suddenly thrust onto a regime of intense physical training and weigh loss program, both totally antagonistic to each other. Why antagonistic? Well, for one intense physical training needs to constant isotonic replenishment to prevent the heart from beating erratically or even stopping. On the other hand, to suddenly attain an ideal weight could lead to desperate measure on the student to take slimming pills or diuretics compound to could exacerbate loss of water and thus further loss of precious electrolytes that are sorely needed to maintain proper heart beat. Thus if the weight loss program would include reduction of salt intake from their diet, then it could lead to further reduction in the availability of electrolytes when they also have to embark on intense physical activities. This antagonistic combination may have a disastrous impact for our over-eager students to attain both ideal standards; a good physical test result and ideal height-body weight ratio. Given the intense competitive nature of over achievement in today’s society, it would be wise to reconsider the fully understand the importance of proper electrolyte balance at all times for not only peak performance but to substain life at the very least. This would augur well towards a healthy workforce with our utmost care and considerations.
Take Care
Mikey
Note: For those who would like to read more about heat intoxication in earlier postings:
a. How to spot a potential “heat stroke” or “sudden death” victim. (link)
b. Changes in running speed in a 100km ultramarathon race (link)
c. Too much water can burst your brains out and constant severe headaches (link)
d. Cut Salt to keep children thin? (Not for our tropical climate) – (link)
e. By the way, I wonder why when athlete collapsed and had their heart stopped during marathons and likes, and whether if Defibrillator works in such instance given that the poor athlete, probably highly deficient in potassium, sodium and other essential electrolytes could really have their heart “jump start” again. It is just like trying to jump start a depleted battery. I am not sure if giving a quick injectio n with the proper electrolyte to the heart region might help (maybe someone could comment on this). – link
f. Defibrillator for marathoners to include electrolyte jabs (link)
g. Magnesium Sulphate to prevent brain edema (swelling) injuries and childbirth deaths – link
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