I Am Really Full Of It

Published on June 22, 2006 By MasonM In Misc

I've been fairly dehydrated the past few days. It's pretty common among truckers and can sneak up on you without you noticing. Between drinking too much coffee, working out in the heat, and just not taking in enough hydrating fluids while cruising down the highways, dehydration becomes a problem pretty quickly.

So today I decided to make a point of getting rehydrated. During the course of the day I have consumed 96 ounces of Gatorade (three 32oz bottles) and am sipping on another 32 ounces. I feel pretty confident that I have rehydrated myself sufficiently now. I don't really like drinking all of that sugar, but with my IBS I can't drink straight water as it really creates havoc with my digestive system. I have to drink something that has been thickened slightly with sugars, and Gatorade seems the best choice.

Once I move into my new truck next week I'll have a fridge on board and will make sure to keep it stocked with Gatorade that I can drink throughout the day to stave off the dreaded dehydration. In the meantime I think if I walked around right now I'd probably hear some odd sloshing sounds.

Comments

bakerstreet

on Jun 23, 2006

I have crohn's disease, so I know what you mean about the water deal. You might want to be careful abou the gatorade, though. It isn't just sugar. They put a ton of sodium in there to in order to replace what people sweat out as a sports drink. If you have any problems that make you watch your sodium intake, or if you start feeling wonky after drinking a lot of it, taper off a bit. Espectially while driving. You wouldn't want to have your first nasty bout of high-blood pressure related dizziness at 70 miles per hour.

DUnno how you feel about soft drinks, but one trick I have found is that carbonated beverages force you to retain fluids. You shouldn't drink them hand over fist, but if you are trying to stay hydrated, it doesn't hurt to start out with like a medium coke, and then toss your hydration liquids on top of it. Be careful about the salt, though. Back when I was really bad off I had a habit of drinking a lot of gatorade, and found that I was getting headaches from it.

OH< also. Not all sports drinks are made alike. There are some that KILL me in terms of irritating your insides. I think it is because they are made like Kool-Aid, with the flavor being some sort of powder in suspension and you don't really realize it. I wish I could remember the brand name, but it was one of the flashier brands. I want to say powerade was one, but I am not sure. Here is a site on sports drinks that might be helpful.

bakerstreet

on Jun 23, 2006

P.S. Dunno how close IBS is to what I have, but if people try to tell you to use "ensure" or some of the diet/nutrition shakes while you are on the road, wait until you get home to try them. Some of the most horrific attacks I have had have been from drinking junk like that.

Dr Guy

on Jun 23, 2006

DUnno how you feel about soft drinks, but one trick I have found is that carbonated beverages force you to retain fluids.

Ouch! Did not know that. Glad I dont drink the stuff. Just water and beer.

bakerstreet

on Jun 23, 2006

Actually, when you are perpetually dehydrated, retaining a little fluid can be a good thing.

MasonM

on Jun 23, 2006

#1 by BakerStreet
Fri, June 23, 2006 02:24 AM

Thanks Baker. The symptoms of IBS and Crohn's are identical. The only way they can tell one from the other is through testing. I avoid anything like Ensure due to the high lactose content which is a serious trigger.

As for the sodium, I don't have any problem there. Even carrying around a few extra pounds my blood pressure is and always has been textbook normal. I get enough exercise to maintain a healthy cardio vascular system.

I never drink carbonated drinks. They always make me feel bloated and the carbination can actually trigger an attack.

I normally just drink a single 32oz bottle a day, sipping on it throughout the day, but had been remiss over the course of a few days drinking only coffee and an occasional beer, both of which will speed dehydration, and needed to do some mass intact to get rehydrated again.

After yesterday's Gatorade bing I awoke this morning feeling much better and the urinary output reflected more normal hydration.

MasonM

on Jun 23, 2006

#3 by Dr. Guy
Fri, June 23, 2006 07:55 AM

[Dr. Guy]

DUnno how you feel about soft drinks, but one trick I have found is that carbonated beverages force you to retain fluids.

Ouch! Did not know that. Glad I dont drink the stuff. Just water and beer.

I don't drink them but yeah they can. The caffeine normally offsets this though.

crimson

on Jun 23, 2006

In the meantime I think if I walked around right now I'd probably hear some odd sloshing sounds.

My daughter's favorite trick is to drink a lot of liquid, climb up, raise her shirt and shake back and forth to hear the sloshing... sad, but true.

MasonM

on Jun 23, 2006

#7 by NickyG
Fri, June 23, 2006 10:45 AM

[NickyG]
In the meantime I think if I walked around right now I'd probably hear some odd sloshing sounds.

My daughter's favorite trick is to drink a lot of liquid, climb up, raise her shirt and shake back and forth to hear the sloshing... sad, but true.

I remember doing that as a kid too.

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