RE: [Philmont]: FW: Water question

Thank you Dr. Goodwin. To elaborate a bit,

The key electrolytes needed in our diets are potassium and sodium and
calcium. Potassium and sodium are especially easily lost in scouts or
scouters affected with vomiting or diarrhea. With severe loss of these
electrolytes, weakness, confusion, seizures and potentially death can result
even in the most fit individual. Usually enough of these materials are
obtained in our diets. Sodium is prevalent in especially large quantities
in many pre-prepared foods, ie some camping meals, but it is much better
lately than years ago. Too much sodium can lead to water retention and
increase blood pressure, not a good thing for scouters with high blood
pressure, doing strenuous things at high attitude. Sodium can also be lost
in sweat although it is rare for this to actually cause a problem. Too
little sodium in the blood is more likely to occur from over hydration i.e.
drinking a couple gallons of water and not getting other foods or
electrolyte sources. The old belief in taking salt tablets is not well
supported now but still engenders a lot of discussion among sports medicine
experts. (I am not a sports medicine doc; just a family doc in a smaller
community who enjoys kids and thinks scouts is a lot of fun.)

Sport drinks such as Gatorade (which has a higher electrolyte
concentration), Poweraide or Propel contain electrolytes and glucose and are
generally good choices for rehydration. Personally I like the power aide or
propel which have more water especially for scouts for when dehydration is a
bigger risk. (If you are peeing dark yellow you are not drinking enough)

Potassium is also found in bananas and oranges so load up on those when they
are available.

Calcium is a long term need especially when growing (think Webelos and
tenderfeet) and especially in women once past menopause. Not a worry for
something like philmont.

In short too much in not good, but too little is a bigger problem. Our
bodies do a pretty good job of keeping it all in balance if we eat and play
wisely. If you have diarrhea or vomiting; that can be dangerous, pay
attention and exercise caution and common sense.

A brief story to illustrate. Summer 2004 at crew from my area was
backpacking in glacier nat'l park. A very fit advisor came down with the
"stomach flu", got worse and ended up in cardiac arrest. He was resusicated
by another advisor and a couple of the boys, stabilized, while a third
advisor and several boys got help. He did fine; and they got heroism medals
at a council event. Bottom line he lost too much electrolytes and became
severely dehydrated despite good physical conditioning.

I believe based on comments on this list serve and in materials that
philmont supplies powered Gatorade mix. I like some Gatorade and some plain
water as great mix. Worked well in 100 degree Jamboree heat.

Paul McGinnis, MD

Assistant Scoutmaster T140, T1412, Going to Philmont in 06.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Charles Goodwin
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 8:46 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: FW: Water question

Electrolytes are the salts in fluid. The most common would be things like
sodium, potassium bicarbonate, chloride, and magnesium. There are other
salts in much smaller amounts.

Charles Goodwin, MD, Scoutmaster Troop 236, Kettering, OH, Philmont 1992,
1996, 2000, 2004.

On Feb 14, 2006, at 7:54 PM, Rich Wenneker wrote:

From: Mike Barnhill [mailto:mikebarnhill@tds.net]
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 5:16 PM
To: owner-philmont@troop47.com
Subject: Water question

Help Me.
 
We always talk about the importance of water. A common term that I hear over
and over is the word "Electrolytes". I hear it used when describing the
benefits of straight water and how things like juices, flavored drinks etc
don't provide the "electrolytes" like regular water does. As a Scoutmaster I
have too used this terminology. We tend to parrot things that sound
important but we don't necessarily understand the terminology or the science
and meaning of them.
Any way, someone has finally popped the question that I have been wondering
all along. " What exactly are the "Electrolytes" and how are they
beneficial". Of course I didn't know the answer, and I said so. But I would
truly like to know. Our health care provider is an HMO so we don't
necessarily have a family doctor that I can ask about this. I would
appreciate input from any Medical Doctors on the list
What are electrolytes. What conditions are they found in? Do additives such
as flavoring, carbonation and sugars affect them? How do they affect our
bodies? If some are good, are more better? Are there products out there to
increase the electrolytes available in say, a bottle of your favorite drink?
We're about to fire up our 2007 council contingent.
ICWTGBTP
 
Mike Barnhill

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Received on Wed Feb 15 22:29:32 2006