Miscellaneous
Runners sometimes joke about the strangest places they have gotten a drink when putting in long, hot miles ---from a stranger’s garden hose, a spigot on a golf course---but dehydration is no laughing matter. It’s also not something to cry about...because people who are dehydrated can’t produce tears. According to The Mayo Clinic, dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. In the winter, people can get dehydrated by illness; in the summer, they are more likely to become dehydrated by sweating. Changes in elevation and certain medications can also lead to dehydration. Dehydration can be treated by consuming liquids, especially electrolyte solutions. Severe dehydration can lead to seizures, kidney problems and low blood volume shock and requires emergency medical treatment. Dehydration can be prevented by consuming an adequate amount of liquid, especially during exercise.