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HEADACHES – Dehydration despite ample water intake!!!

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  • April 11, 2012 at 8:05 am #15526
    wilf1234

    Hi guys, I’m fairly new to road riding.

    Yesterday I did my first reasonably long ride on my own (75miles – 4.5hrs) and suffered from an old enemy of mine. Massive headache 50miles in and then for the next 12hrs after I finished, despite having drunk 5 litres (some with High 5 powder) a few gel things, and loads of cereal bars etc. Plus it was only 10deg C.

    In the past I’ve done loads of mountaineering and other endurance type stuff when dehydration has been a real problem despite pouring copious amounts of water down my neck.

    In summary, when I exercise the water I drink just seems to go straight through me.

    I’m really keen to get into this road cycling malarkey, but there’s no way I can do longer mileage, particularly when the weather gets hotter – unless I can find a solution.

    anyone else experienced this, or know of a solution?

    Cheers

    Wilf

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  • April 16, 2012 at 2:27 pm #673757
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    Super Domestique

    GatoradeUK wrote:Super

    GatoradeUK wrote:
    Super Domestique wrote:
    @ Matthew – are you doing lectures at the road show soon?

    We’ll be at this weekend’s Road Cycling Show at Sandown Park with our G Series Pro Theatre. The Theatre features a series of talks from experts in cycling. One session in particular may be of interest to you – Fuelling “Hydration and Nutrition” for performance with the Gatorade team and Nigel Mitchell, Head of Nutrition, British Cycling and Team Sky. If you can get to the show, it’s definitely worth attending.

    Thanks for the reply. Have my tickets already.

    April 16, 2012 at 12:42 pm #673755
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    GatoradeUK

    Super Domestique wrote:@

    Super Domestique wrote:
    @ Matthew – are you doing lectures at the road show soon?

    We’ll be at this weekend’s Road Cycling Show at Sandown Park with our G Series Pro Theatre. The Theatre features a series of talks from experts in cycling. One session in particular may be of interest to you – Fuelling “Hydration and Nutrition” for performance with the Gatorade team and Nigel Mitchell, Head of Nutrition, British Cycling and Team Sky. If you can get to the show, it’s definitely worth attending.

    April 14, 2012 at 12:59 pm #673753
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    fungus the muffin man

    I also wouldn’t rule out
    I also wouldn’t rule out exercise induced migraines.

    April 12, 2012 at 3:31 pm #673751
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    CarbonBreaker

    I have to agree with the
    I have to agree with the comments above. I live in Singapore, 28 degrees / 70%+ humidity on a “normal” ride. I use SIS for rehydration and energy drink. Typically I would drink .5 – .75 l/hr any more than that and you are asking for trouble even in such hot and humid conditions. I do not use caffeine at all, unless I’m seriously bonking and am close to home, and the it’s good old “full fat Coke”.

    Tim Noakes is a good start, there is a really good “Marathon Talk” podcast (episode 39) with him in it which deals with the subjects raised above, find it in iTunes. Also try episode 41, with Dr Mike Stroud.

    There is of course the alternative, which is reading Noakes’ “Lore of running” which at 927 pages might be a little heavy for your needs, try the chapter on heat regulation though.

    Good luck, and drink less!

    April 12, 2012 at 2:16 pm #673749
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    Super Domestique

    @ Matthew – are you doing
    @ Matthew – are you doing lectures at the road show soon?

    @ wilf – hope you get this sorted. I had a terrible experience with dehydration and heat stroke a few years ago in Portugal.

    April 12, 2012 at 12:58 pm #673747
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    Chris

    GatoradeUK wrote:eye

    GatoradeUK wrote:
    eye irritation when salt gets in the eyes.

    Hi Matthew,
    I tried some salt in my eye and definitely had a degree of irritation. Also had some salt stains visible on clothing after the experiment.
    Not sure if I need to be concerned or just stop being so pedantic about typos.
    Good, helpful post though, thanks.

    April 12, 2012 at 8:46 am #673745
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    GatoradeUK

    Hi Wilf,
    My name is Matthew
    Hi Wilf,

    My name is Matthew Evans, I’m the Sport Nutrition and Science Advisor for Gatorade in the UK.

    It is difficult to recommend a specific fluid and electrolyte replacement schedule as sweat rates and sweat composition is highly individual. It is advised to develop an individualised hydration strategy through routine monitoring of your body weight before and after training. The goal of drinking during exercise is to prevent excessive dehydration (generally accepted as 2-3% body weight loss).

    Check out this video which outlines the steps to work out your individualised hydration strategy: http://www.gatorade.co.uk/video?v=SGNOvZMIgwY

    Estimating electrolyte losses is much more difficult but signs that you are a ‘salty sweater’ are: a salty taste of sweat in their mouth; eye irritation when salt gets in the eyes; salt stains may be visible on clothing worn.

    If you have any more questions, let me know.

    April 11, 2012 at 7:10 pm #673743
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    Edgeley

    It is unlikely, but it might
    It is unlikely, but it might be worth checking out whether you have Type 2 diabetes. High fluid intake plus headaches could be a symptom. Although as others have said, it is more likely to be you drinking when you don’t need to.

    April 11, 2012 at 5:52 pm #673741
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    giff77

    Seems to be general consensus
    Seems to be general consensus – drinking too much! I would have 3ltr over a similar distance but that’s me. I generally use high5 zero’s in my bottles and have the usual gels/bars/cake as well as some dosh to fuel up (obligatory cafe stop 😀 ) I only use a caffine gel for the final stretch home and have something to eat before I go out. Also, pace your intake of fluids. Also if you have a protein shake/choc milk shake once you get home you’ll be refuelling liquids after exercise.

    Is it only when exercising you shift a lot of fluids if you don’t mind me asking?

    April 11, 2012 at 3:56 pm #673739
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    Farky

    Wilf – I think it was Cycling
    Wilf – I think it was Cycling Weekly that had a feature on energy drinks a week or so back and they discussed the type of energy drink required/rates used.

    Reckon its a combination over hydration and too much energy products.

    Ive moved to drinking only Electrolyte stuff like Nuun tabs in a bottle. I might drink about 4ls over a 4.5hr period. Only 2 being caffiene enhanced electro, the others water.

    Id also EAT at least 2 energy bars, iro 60gm of carbs over that period. If really working hard and warm weather, id add an energy gel or two but food gives your stomach something to work on rather than cramps because gel just releases energy alone.

    Recent research CW mentioned was about the type of energy source. Basically, the old style drinks release too much of one single type and the stomach shuts down/doesnt absorb half of it.
    The 2:1 type absorbs much better and in a more controlled way.

    Do a bit of magazine research. We all have opinions and differing bodies. Overall, your headaches arent right so somethings gotta change. Id start with electrolytes in less water.

    April 11, 2012 at 2:55 pm #673737
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    veseunr

    Bicarbonate of soda helps you
    Bicarbonate of soda helps you retain water and is an legal ergogenic aid. You need to pre-load with 5 grams over a period of 24 hours.

    Sorry – no links but do research it – my GB triathlete wife swares by it!

    April 11, 2012 at 11:06 am #673735
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    wilf1234

    many thanks guys – good to
    many thanks guys – good to know it’s definitely over drinking. (although I only drank when thirsty!)

    I’m finding this tablet/power/gel business a minefield – despite having a pharmacist in the family!!! There seems to be ample scope for over/under doing it with fluid/caffeine/carbs/electrolytes and……!!!!??? and every company or forum you look at give conflicting advice!

    p.s. – I stopped twice to fill up the water bottles!!

    April 11, 2012 at 10:20 am #673733
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    step-hent

    Yep, sounds like an
    Yep, sounds like an absorption issue – you’d strugle to sweat out 5 litres on a 10 degree day. If the drink doesn’t have the right balance of salts, your body won’t be able to absorb it properly. Try sticking to electrolyte drinks as netclectic suggests and see how you get on.

    April 11, 2012 at 10:10 am #673731
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    netclectic

    5 litres seems a tad
    5 litres seems a tad excessive, how did you manage to carry that much with you? If properly hydrated when you start I would expect to manage 75miles quite comfortably on 2 x 800ml bottles.

    Which High5 power were you using? You might want to try more electrolyte rather than energy. I like the High5 Zero tablets.

    April 11, 2012 at 9:38 am #673729
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    ianj

    That is way too much drink
    That is way too much drink but i would also look at using an alternative to High 5 .I tend to find that High 5 are very high in caffeine and whilst on a ride you may go like a rocket the come down can lead to heaadaches when you have finished. SIS and ZipVit are two good alternatives or Bikefood do some good stuff too. Best of luck.

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