Hyponatremia is a potentially dangerous condition that occurs when the sodium level in the blood falls below the normal range, typically less than 135 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate water balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. When sodium levels drop too low, either due to excess fluid intake or sodium loss, the body's delicate balance is disrupted, leading to a range of physiological complications.
Sodium plays a key role in maintaining fluid equilibrium across cell membranes. Basically, it is key to maintaining balance within the fluids in your body. When blood sodium levels decrease, water begins to move into cells to balance the concentration gradient. This causes cells to swell, which is particularly dangerous in the brain, where swelling can lead to symptoms such as:
The severity of symptoms often depends on how quickly sodium levels drop and the replenishment that follows. Acute hyponatremia, which can develop rapidly during prolonged exercise and excessive water intake, requires immediate medical attention based on the gravity of some of the symptoms.
Athletes, especially endurance athletes, are at increased risk of developing exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH). This condition can occur during prolonged physical activity when athletes consume large quantities of water but do not adequately replace the electrolytes, and sodium in particular, lost through sweat. Risk factors include:
Contrary to the popular belief that "more water is always better," overhydration without electrolyte replacement can severely impair performance and, more critically, pose life-threatening health risks as previously discussed.
The data provided by the Nix Hydration Biosensor includes not only sweat rate data but electrolyte loss data and more specifically, sodium loss data. By utilizing Nix, athletes have the ability to see how much sodium they’re losing in real time during an activity and can therefore replenish with the exact water to electrolyte ratio specific to their body’s needs. Nix will also offer a recommendation based on an athlete’s data as to which electrolyte beverage they should be consuming based on the number of electrolytes and sodium they lose on average during a specific activity and within a specific environment.
By empowering athletes with real-time data, Nix turns hydration from a guessing game into a science-based strategy, minimizing the risk of hyponatremia while optimizing performance.
While hydration is crucial, understanding and maintaining electrolyte and sodium balance is equally important. Hyponatremia poses a serious threat to the health and performance of athletes, so it’s imperative that athletes put an increased focus on their replenishment strategy as a whole, inclusive of electrolytes, instead of solely focusing on water intake.
Remember: More water isn't always the solution. Hydrate smarter, not just more.