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Hydration, low blood pressure & exercise

Snapsy

Snapsy

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,552
Location
South-East UK
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Bit of a shock yesterday - was out helping my husband on a job - physical, hot, not drinking enough - and although I'm well used to feeling slightly giddy when getting up quickly from a crouching position (I'm very tall - it takes a little while for my blood to reach my head!), twice yesterday I pretty much blacked out. Haven't ever had that before. It all went dark, I couldn't hear, and I had to cling on to a fence for dear life while the world stopped spinning, the light came back and I stopped feeling sick.

When we got home yesterday afternoon I had a lie-down, and we checked my blood pressure on my husband's BP monitor - I was 100/63.

This morning I felt okay but tired, but on the treadmill at the gym I felt progressively more rubbish. Stopped sooner than usual and got myself home safely - that was fine - but on checking my BP again, it was only 90/73. And I felt absolutely rotten. I was concerned, so I rang the doctor. I felt weak, giddy, and really sick (I don't often feel sick as a matter of course, so it was unusual).

Talked about hydration with the doctor - yes, it was as simple as that! I haven't been taking on enough fluid. When I get back from the gym (either 600m-800m swimming, or 4km-5km treadmill) I have a pint of sugar-free squash with a few grinds of the salt grinder, and I thought that in addition to that I was drinking enough throughout the day.

But it's hotter, and I'm steadily ramping up my gym efforts. I need more liquid that I had been taking on.

And with hindsight, it's absolutely common sense. Thought I'd post on here just to remind folks to drink enough - I was absolutely staggered to realise that feeling so awful was literally due to *just* not having enough to drink.

Two sachets of Dioralyte later (one this morning, one this afternoon) as recommended by the doctor - right as rain!

:)
 
Snapsy said:
Bit of a shock yesterday - was out helping my husband on a job - physical, hot, not drinking enough - and although I'm well used to feeling slightly giddy when getting up quickly from a crouching position (I'm very tall - it takes a little while for my blood to reach my head!), twice yesterday I pretty much blacked out. Haven't ever had that before. It all went dark, I couldn't hear, and I had to cling on to a fence for dear life while the world stopped spinning, the light came back and I stopped feeling sick.

When we got home yesterday afternoon I had a lie-down, and we checked my blood pressure on my husband's BP monitor - I was 100/63.

This morning I felt okay but tired, but on the treadmill at the gym I felt progressively more rubbish. Stopped sooner than usual and got myself home safely - that was fine - but on checking my BP again, it was only 90/73. And I felt absolutely rotten. I was concerned, so I rang the doctor. I felt weak, giddy, and really sick (I don't often feel sick as a matter of course, so it was unusual).

Talked about hydration with the doctor - yes, it was as simple as that! I haven't been taking on enough fluid. When I get back from the gym (either 600m-800m swimming, or 4km-5km treadmill) I have a pint of sugar-free squash with a few grinds of the salt grinder, and I thought that in addition to that I was drinking enough throughout the day.

But it's hotter, and I'm steadily ramping up my gym efforts. I need more liquid that I had been taking on.

And with hindsight, it's absolutely common sense. Thought I'd post on here just to remind folks to drink enough - I was absolutely staggered to realise that feeling so awful was literally due to *just* not having enough to drink.

Two sachets of Dioralyte later (one this morning, one this afternoon) as recommended by the doctor - right as rain!

:)
Click to expand...
Snapsy said:
Bit of a shock yesterday - was out helping my husband on a job - physical, hot, not drinking enough - and although I'm well used to feeling slightly giddy when getting up quickly from a crouching position (I'm very tall - it takes a little while for my blood to reach my head!), twice yesterday I pretty much blacked out. Haven't ever had that before. It all went dark, I couldn't hear, and I had to cling on to a fence for dear life while the world stopped spinning, the light came back and I stopped feeling sick.

When we got home yesterday afternoon I had a lie-down, and we checked my blood pressure on my husband's BP monitor - I was 100/63.

This morning I felt okay but tired, but on the treadmill at the gym I felt progressively more rubbish. Stopped sooner than usual and got myself home safely - that was fine - but on checking my BP again, it was only 90/73. And I felt absolutely rotten. I was concerned, so I rang the doctor. I felt weak, giddy, and really sick (I don't often feel sick as a matter of course, so it was unusual).

Talked about hydration with the doctor - yes, it was as simple as that! I haven't been taking on enough fluid. When I get back from the gym (either 600m-800m swimming, or 4km-5km treadmill) I have a pint of sugar-free squash with a few grinds of the salt grinder, and I thought that in addition to that I was drinking enough throughout the day.

But it's hotter, and I'm steadily ramping up my gym efforts. I need more liquid that I had been taking on.

And with hindsight, it's absolutely common sense. Thought I'd post on here just to remind folks to drink enough - I was absolutely staggered to realise that feeling so awful was literally due to *just* not having enough to drink.

Two sachets of Dioralyte later (one this morning, one this afternoon) as recommended by the doctor - right as rain!

:)
Click to expand...
Glad you got that sorted, it's so easy to forget to stay hydrated especially when we get preoccupied. Also important to drink before starting a gym workout, if you leave it until your thirsty then you've left it to late. Just don't go trying to drink the swimming pool.
 
I don't fancy the pool water! Will make sure I have a drink before I head off to the gym. Funnily enough I don't ever have my morning cuppa until I get back, for fear of my tummy sloshing around - I think there might be some new before/during/after drinking policies coming into play from the morning....!

107/63 just now. That'll do for now - am asking husband to confiscate the BP widget for fear of obsessing over it (which - *coughs* - wouldn't be unusual in the Snapsy camp....).

:p
 
I wonder if isotonic drinks are OK ? Or maybe just clean water in a bottle would do.
I take something to drink all the time, if I am doing some longer than half-hour workout.
 
Hi adriajackson. Isotonic should be fine but it costs more than good old tap water, and unless you're pushing yourself above and beyond i can't really justify the cost. Personally water, orange cordial and if an intense workout a spoonful of glucose powder work just fine. Definitely do not drink any energy drinks.
 
Snapsy said:
Bit of a shock yesterday - was out helping my husband on a job - physical, hot, not drinking enough - and although I'm well used to feeling slightly giddy when getting up quickly from a crouching position (I'm very tall - it takes a little while for my blood to reach my head!), twice yesterday I pretty much blacked out. Haven't ever had that before. It all went dark, I couldn't hear, and I had to cling on to a fence for dear life while the world stopped spinning, the light came back and I stopped feeling sick.

When we got home yesterday afternoon I had a lie-down, and we checked my blood pressure on my husband's BP monitor - I was 100/63.

This morning I felt okay but tired, but on the treadmill at the gym I felt progressively more rubbish. Stopped sooner than usual and got myself home safely - that was fine - but on checking my BP again, it was only 90/73. And I felt absolutely rotten. I was concerned, so I rang the doctor. I felt weak, giddy, and really sick (I don't often feel sick as a matter of course, so it was unusual).

Talked about hydration with the doctor - yes, it was as simple as that! I haven't been taking on enough fluid. When I get back from the gym (either 600m-800m swimming, or 4km-5km treadmill) I have a pint of sugar-free squash with a few grinds of the salt grinder, and I thought that in addition to that I was drinking enough throughout the day.

But it's hotter, and I'm steadily ramping up my gym efforts. I need more liquid that I had been taking on.

And with hindsight, it's absolutely common sense. Thought I'd post on here just to remind folks to drink enough - I was absolutely staggered to realise that feeling so awful was literally due to *just* not having enough to drink.

Two sachets of Dioralyte later (one this morning, one this afternoon) as recommended by the doctor - right as rain!

:)
Click to expand...

Glad you got to the bottom of it. My wife Yvonne has constant BP of around 95/65 which is low, but not unhealthily. Our doc told us there is only a problem when people are below 90/60. I was surprised, but as you say, lots of fluid with a little salt is all it takes to keep hydrated and balance your electrolytes:)

I always take my Good Clean Protein and Good Green Stuff by NuZest to help muscle recovery and total Vit and min supplementation.


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