Fluid Balance and Dysnatremias in Athletes

SALLIS, R. E. Fluid balance and dysnatremias in athletes. Curr. Sports Med. Rep., Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. S14-S19, 2008. Fluid balance and dysnatremias are related to many of the most common reasons for illness and collapse in the endurance athlete. These problems often are caused by a spectrum of avoidable errors ranging from underdrinking to overdrinking. I propose that these problems are, in most cases, avoidable when the athlete closely matches his or her fluid intake to fluid loss during competition. Furthermore, iatrogenic worsening of these problems is avoided when medical personnel provide a careful evaluation of the athlete and initiate prompt and appropriate treatment.