Fatigue Caused by ... Dehydration?

[athena53]

I read this article last month about the best drink for hydration: https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/health/best-drinks-for-hydration-wellness/index.html

The first thing the guide in India got me when there was no Gatorade or electrolyte powder to be found was orange juice and it helped considerably.

Just last month I read a local paper in Molokai and one of their young men, who played football at the U. of Utah, collapsed and died after a practice. He was only 22. It wasn't dehydration- it was hyponatremia (not enough salt). Definitely shows that it's not just a matter of drinking more water.

 

[W2R]

Al, your doctor is probably right that some of that tiredness is due to the aging process.

That said, my personal experience has been that I need to drink a LOT of water to feel right. I have a 64 oz container of water right here by my recliner and I drink the whole thing every day, plus another 16 oz of water at lunch when we eat out, plus a big travel mug of coffee in the morning.

If I haven't been drinking enough, I can't go to sleep! So I get up, drink 16 ounces of water or more, then hit the bathroom and go to bed again. After that I can fall asleep more easily.

Perhaps New Orleans' legendary hot weather explains why I need all this water? I dunno. I am sure that I get plenty of salts as well, because my foods are quite salty and I don't restrict salt.

 

[SecondCor521]

If I haven't been drinking enough, I can't go to sleep! So I get up, drink 16 ounces of water or more, then hit the bathroom and go to bed again. After that I can fall asleep more easily.

Although I don't drink as much water as you do, I have noticed this pattern too. I am coming to suspect that I have not been drinking enough and am going to start work on drinking more.

 

[TromboneAl]

felt exhausted for a couple days.

Interesting!

 

[TromboneAl]

True, one must take that into consideration. I'm kind of an expert on this. I evaluate the water volume in the toilet before I make my conclusion.

And it's good to flush 10-15 times first. [emoji6]

 

[Calico]

And it's good to flush 10-15 times first. [emoji6]

I see what you did there!

 

[TromboneAl]

This may be a solution to a mystery. Every time I go fishing in the kayak, I'm really beat after I get back. That seems to be true even if I don't paddle very far. I've always thought it has to do with "being out on the water."

Pit stops are very inconvenient when kayaking, so I don't drink much. Maybe that's it. Will test.

I tested this, and I don't think dehydration during fishing is the cause of post-fishing fatigue.

Yesterday I went fishing in the kayak for three hours, but I drank plenty of water. I made a point of drinking a lot as soon as I got back, too.

But I was still extra tired and I am this morning, too.

 

[REWahoo]

I tested this, and I don't think dehydration during fishing is the cause of post-fishing fatigue.

Yesterday I went fishing in the kayak for three hours, but I drank plenty of water. I made a point of drinking a lot as soon as I got back, too.

But I was still extra tired and I am this morning, too.

At the risk of offending your tender sensibilities, is it possible your fatigue could be due to your advanced age?

I know mine is!

 

[oldtrig]

I tested this, and I don't think dehydration during fishing is the cause of post-fishing fatigue.

Yesterday I went fishing in the kayak for three hours, but I drank plenty of water. I made a point of drinking a lot as soon as I got back, too.

But I was still extra tired and I am this morning, too.

The same thing happens to me and has been for a few years. Yesterday it was pretty bad. The day before I had tons of energy.

Not sure if age is the reason because this has been happening for several years .

I think I suffer from sleep problems. Sometimes if I take a power nap I get back to almost full throttle but not yesterday.

 

[W2R]

I tested this, and I don't think dehydration during fishing is the cause of post-fishing fatigue.

Yesterday I went fishing in the kayak for three hours, but I drank plenty of water. I made a point of drinking a lot as soon as I got back, too.

But I was still extra tired and I am this morning, too.

I don't know if this would apply to a kayak.... maybe not? but anyway, something I noticed when working on oceanographic vessels is that just being at sea can be exercise because you subconsciously use your muscles to stay oriented correctly. The ship rocks, but once you get your "sea legs" you compensate for the rocking, and that is a form of exercise. When I was at sea, I would actually lose weight despite eating more food, due to this effect. This might be what is making you feel so tired.

Also, the same effect really helps arthritis because one's joints are always moving when compensating for the movement of the ship.

 

[TromboneAl]

At the risk of offending your tender sensibilities, is it possible your fatigue could be due to your advanced age?

Absolutely possible or even probable. But I look at these candidates in their seventies running all over the place and can't imagine doing that. Everyone is different, of course.

I don't know if this would apply to a kayak.... maybe not? but anyway, something I noticed when working on oceanographic vessels is that just being at sea can be exercise because you subconsciously use your muscles to stay oriented correctly. The ship rocks, but once you get your "sea legs" you compensate for the rocking, and that is a form of exercise. When I was at sea, I would actually lose weight despite eating more food, due to this effect. This might be what is making you feel so tired.

Also, the same effect really helps arthritis because one's joints are always moving when compensating for the movement of the ship.

I like that idea, but it's usually pretty calm on the lake when I'm fishing. There definitely is something about being out on the water.

You could start a new business: all-you-can-eat weight loss arthritis-cure cruises.

My other theory is that making hundreds of casts is like throwing a baseball over an over. I should go out and just sit in the kayak for a few hours and see if that makes me tired.

 

[W2R]

You could start a new business: all-you-can-eat weight loss arthritis-cure cruises.

Sounds good to me! I remember back in the day, when the cook would bake fresh cherry pies at 3 AM as a snack for those of us who were working at that time. Plus, he was from south Louisiana so often we had Louisiana foods at meals, which were high calorie but delicious. I was so concerned about gaining weight and then found I lost 15 pounds on that cruise.

My other theory is that making hundreds of casts is like throwing a baseball over an over. I should go out and just sit in the kayak for a few hours and see if that makes me tired.

That might be it! It's more exercise than reading on the internet.

 

[ls99]

I don't know if this would apply to a kayak.... maybe not? but anyway, something I noticed when working on oceanographic vessels is that just being at sea can be exercise because you subconsciously use your muscles to stay oriented correctly. The ship rocks, but once you get your "sea legs" you compensate for the rocking, and that is a form of exercise. When I was at sea, I would actually lose weight despite eating more food, due to this effect. This might be what is making you feel so tired.

Also, the same effect really helps arthritis because one's joints are always moving when compensating for the movement of the ship.

^ What she said.
I spent over a year on a 202 foot long 35 foot wide converted schooner (RV Vema) circumnavigating the the globe +north Atlantic and down to near antarctica, on the scientific crew. We used to say this damn thing rolls in dry dock! A 24/7 wotkout in keeping upright. In medium seas still had to fold mattress in half in berth and sleep vedged between it and the bulkked to keep from falling out ohs bunk.
Side note, one learns to put napkin on table spill cofee on it to keep mug from traveling sideways.

+++ when kayaking even on overcast days a lot solar radiation is getting through and getting reflected off the water, plus even a light breeze has evaporative qualities on animate objects.
BTW while kayaking I always have a jug of water to sip on.

 

[TromboneAl]

Well, last night I was very tired despite drinking plenty of water.

I've seen that the tired days are often a day after exercise. I was sore from paddling (hadn't been out for a few months), so maybe I got more exercise than I thought.

So, my fatigue-caused-by-dehydration hypothesis doesn't hold water.

 

[TromboneAl]

Here's video from that fishing trip showing an otter:

 

[SheitlQueen]

Have you considered you might have sleep apnea? Being tired (or in my case, extreme exhaustion) is one of the signs. Most people snore and obviously stop breathing but everyone has different signs and some are more obvious than others. But being tired is a big indicator.

 

[Andre1969]

After consulting Dr. Marcus Webly, I'm wondering if this could be caused by dehydration.

Well, sometimes Father Knows Best! Sorry, couldn't resist

 

[Dalmore]

My MIL had a mild heart attack that was linked to dehydration. And my FIL has definite physical issues (disorientation and weakness) when he gets dehydrated. It is a constant battle for my DW to get them to drink enough fluids.

 

[TromboneAl]

Have you considered you might have sleep apnea? Being tired (or in my case, extreme exhaustion) is one of the signs. Most people snore and obviously stop breathing but everyone has different signs and some are more obvious than others. But being tired is a big indicator.

Good point, but I've been able to rule that out.

 

[VT2FIRE]

Sure hydrating is important. I don't know you or your particular conditions, but for too many Americans lack of energy is due to obesity, a poor quality diet, and insufficient exercise.

Exercise and proper diet improve energy levels and quality of life.

 

[Nemo2]

Hydration/Dehydration: I believe I may have mentioned that my urologist told me my bladder has 'pockets' that can activate infections, and that I should consume copious amounts of water to flush it/them through.

Up and at 'em....2 1/2 liters a day.

NOW I learn that, with older people, (one of which I am), 'high' water/fluid consumption raises blood pressure. Apparently it doesn't do this with younger people, and 'they' (the medical profession), don't know why.

Catch 22.

 

[TromboneAl]

New rule: Don't drink so much when on a trip.

 

[Moemg]

There is a bizarre disease that is in the soil and water that causes fatigue and a cough . The only way to know if you have it is a sputum culture . It is called NTM

 

[eytonxav]

Testosterone declines with age, and sub-optimum levels might account for tiredness. Have you tested your T-levels recently?