Dizziness, tingling hands, headache, yawning
7elizamae
Posts: 758 Member
Went on a beautiful hike yesterday. I drank plenty of water (a bottle and a half). I had eaten my usual breakfast (two slices toast and an egg). I also had a little snack of nuts before we began. It was very warm (for the PNW) -- around 82 degrees.
About halfway through my hike (steady uphill for 3.5 miles) I was seeing stars, my hands were tingling, lots of yawning and a brutal headache. Headache lasted until this morning.
I rested, drank water, drank more water, rested again. I ate a big sandwich at the top. I made it to the top just fine, but have never had these symptoms on a hike before.
What do you think? Dehydration? Despite all that water?
About halfway through my hike (steady uphill for 3.5 miles) I was seeing stars, my hands were tingling, lots of yawning and a brutal headache. Headache lasted until this morning.
I rested, drank water, drank more water, rested again. I ate a big sandwich at the top. I made it to the top just fine, but have never had these symptoms on a hike before.
What do you think? Dehydration? Despite all that water?
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Replies
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Need Electrolytes? Next time when it's hot and you are hiking instead of just water use something like a NUUN in your water.3
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Did drinking more water make you feel better? If so, dehydration. If the sandwich made you feel better, then you've probably been running too lean on your calorie targets to support that kind of effort.4
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The tingling and dizziness lasted until I rested at the top. I felt fine after I ate and headed downhill -- other than the stupid headache (which I still have this morning).
I never eat much on a hike, but have never felt quite that crummy. I walk about five miles every day, but not in heat, and not steadily uphill.
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There's more to staying safe in the heat than just drinking enough.
That could have been an electrolyte imbalance (when you sweat, you lose water and salts, and drinking water only replaces the water). Or it could have been early stages of heat stroke, which is like the opposite of hypothermia, but seems far less well-known as a danger.1 -
Heat exhaustion: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/heat-exhaustion
Heat stroke:
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/heat-stroke-symptoms-and-treatment2 -
You were probably hypoglycemic aka low blood sugar. Guessing you didn't have much carbs before bed the previous night? 2 pieces of toast isn't much3
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What about altitude; how high were you after a 3.5 miles hike? It could have been a combination of low electrolytes, a breakfast too light, and heat exhaustion; but the yawning could be do to not enough oxygen getting to the brain.4
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Keep an eye on the symptoms if they start to happen more frequently. Could definitely be dehydration, lack of carbs, etc. That said, I had similar symptoms once and it led down a long road of medical tests as they got more frequent, then worse over time. Initially I thought it might be dehydration. I would never speculate that you have what I did, but if it persists, see a doctor.2
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HeliumIsNoble wrote: »
Thanks for the links.
I remember now I felt better after soaking my hands in one of the very cold glacier-fed streams we crossed. I guess it could have been the heat.
I've never had this happen before. It was our first big hike of the year...and I'm pushing 50. It used to be much easier!1 -
What about altitude; how high were you after a 3.5 miles hike? It could have been a combination of low electrolytes, a breakfast too light, and heat exhaustion; but the yawning could be do to not enough oxygen getting to the brain.
We hiked to about 6000 feet. So, I suppose that may have contributed to the yawning (which was driving me nuts). I'll be more conscious of all this the next time.
Don't know if this is exacerbated by aging...but I never felt this way when I was younger. Really, that motivates me to stay fit and at a healthy weight.1 -
Here is my son at the top. It was an amazing hike to Glacier Basin at Mount Rainier Natl Park. It was worth the headache!
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@7elizamae
Reaching a high altitude in a short period of time doesn't allow the body (red cells increase in order to recruit and carry more oxygen molecules), to adapt to the condition, unless you already live or hike at high altitudes. On top of that, it seems that dehydration is also exacerbated by the altitude and the exertion of the hike.
I live at sea level so when going to states like Colorado or Utah, I need to stay for few days in towns at 3000 or 4000 feet above sea level so I don't get totally crash by the high altitude. I also noticed that as I get older, things get worse
Beautiful picture and place. Well done!2 -
Elevation might have been a problem. Combined with that an anemia is also a possibility. Yawning is a typical symptom of iron deficiency (ferritin is the right blood test) or vitamin b12 deficiency. Tingling: I would also guess electrolytes. Salt, sugar might be options. In my case it's usually low magnesium or calcium, especially if it's hot and I'm hiking. But everyone is different.2
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There's a lot of symptoms there. It may be more than one cause.
Many people(myself included) get tingling and slightly swollen hands when running/walking in the heat.
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Yes, this has happened to me. I'm in mid 50s and I can say that us oldies are not to go on big hikes if we haven't been doing significant aerobic exercise leading up to it.
It's a good thing to discuss with your doctor to rule out the bad stuff. They may send you for an exercise cardiogram.
We also need adequate carbs (complex) beforehand and possibly (sugar) during. I've been carying Gu lately. It's easy to carry and definitely gives you a boost when you're hypoglycemic. And electrolytes. You can get electrolyte tabs for your water bottle.
Better luck next time!
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Same thing happened to me at the Singapore Zoo.
High heat, for me, and walking for about 3 hr after a good breakfast and sipping on water.
Luckily I had one of those emergen-C packs in my bag ( vitC and electrolytes), emptied it into my water bottle, drank it down and I was fine within 5 min.
I was sweating profusely because of the humidity and my hands were coming out in a red spotty heat rash.
I carry the emergen-C because I have a low salt tolerance (can't stand the taste) and have found in warmer climates than the Canadian side of the PNW I can get slightly out of kilter with my electrolytes. I just drink one in the morning when I am in the Caribbean and have had no probs with strenuous activity. Just never thought of taking one for a stroll around a zoo.
Cheers, h.2 -
Sounds like you need more salt.0
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were you [back]packing anything? i ask because some of those symptoms sound a lot like the kind of thing i sometimes experience if i'm poking my head too far out in front of me and stressing my cervical/thoracic spine. not to mention backpack straps causing the finger tingle depending on where you have them. if so coming downhill would probably have positioned you more naturally in a more alignment, so there's that too.
on the other hand, it's much better to assume dehydration/elevation and address those things, than to be experiencing them and blow them off with an arcane chiropractic hypothesis. glad you recovered.0 -
canadianlbs wrote: »were you [back]packing anything? i ask because some of those symptoms sound a lot like the kind of thing i sometimes experience if i'm poking my head too far out in front of me and stressing my cervical/thoracic spine. not to mention backpack straps causing the finger tingle depending on where you have them. if so coming downhill would probably have positioned you more naturally in a more alignment, so there's that too.
on the other hand, it's much better to assume dehydration/elevation and address those things, than to be experiencing them and blow them off with an arcane chiropractic hypothesis. glad you recovered.
This was just a day hike -- so no 40 lb pack. And, for once, I wasn't carrying anything -- my husband had the pack. That is part of why I was so baffled by how I felt.
Here's one more pic to prove it was worth it:
We're heading out again next week, so I'll be having a bigger breakfast, packing something with electrolytes (I like the EmergenC idea), and going a bit slower. I've realized that I may have been going faster than usual trying to keep up with my teenage boys who were also on the hike.
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I wonder which electrolyte products are best. I see that several companies are selling them. There's Powerade and Gatorade powders that you can get at any sports store. Good, but pretty sweet-- I favor separating the electrolytes from the fuel. There are Nuun tabs at Amazon (some have caffeine). Emergen-C has a product, which could be fine so long as there isn't too much vitamin C in it (it's hard on your stomach in high doses).
Not sure what is the best approach. I will be experimenting this summer.1 -
Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »I wonder which electrolyte products are best. I see that several companies are selling them. There's Powerade and Gatorade powders that you can get at any sports store. Good, but pretty sweet-- I favor separating the electrolytes from the fuel. There are Nuun tabs at Amazon (some have caffeine). Emergen-C has a product, which could be fine so long as there isn't too much vitamin C in it (it's hard on your stomach in high doses).
Not sure what is the best approach. I will be experimenting this summer.
I don't like sweet drinks at all -- and especially when I'm exercising. That's partly why I've never even considered drinking Gatorade or any of those sports drinks. I'm going to look into the Nuun tablets.0 -
NUUN is a local Seattle company!Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »I wonder which electrolyte products are best. I see that several companies are selling them. There's Powerade and Gatorade powders that you can get at any sports store. Good, but pretty sweet-- I favor separating the electrolytes from the fuel. There are Nuun tabs at Amazon (some have caffeine). Emergen-C has a product, which could be fine so long as there isn't too much vitamin C in it (it's hard on your stomach in high doses).
Not sure what is the best approach. I will be experimenting this summer.
I don't like sweet drinks at all -- and especially when I'm exercising. That's partly why I've never even considered drinking Gatorade or any of those sports drinks. I'm going to look into the Nuun tablets.
1 -
I settled on the emergen-C because l had used it when I had felt a cold coming on a few of years ago when they first came out and knew it contained electrolytes as well as the vitC, was in a handy little pack, and readily available now in a number of countries, different flavours, drugstore brands, and in bulk at Costco. (Can't switch now I have a mega box of them- good job I like them)
I don't like the Gatorade type drinks so never even considered them, and didn't know about the Nunn tabs at the time.
Cheers, h.1 -
HeliumIsNoble wrote: »
Thanks for the links.
I remember now I felt better after soaking my hands in one of the very cold glacier-fed streams we crossed. I guess it could have been the heat.
I've never had this happen before. It was our first big hike of the year...and I'm pushing 50. It used to be much easier!
Maybe you just pushed it a little too much. I'm 59 and power walk or run just about every day even in upper 90 degree heat. I train on hilly trails too. If you say you walk every day but not on hills and this was the first big hike of the year then maybe you pushed it a little too hard.
I have pushed it too hard in the heat and had similar symptoms. Even though I was hydrated and did not have an empt stomach.2 -
I'm heading out on another hike at Rainier today -- with more food, some gatorade (along with all my usual water), and cooler weather. It's 8 miles with elevation gain similar to the last hike, but no teenagers to set the pace. We'll see how it goes!
I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and am hoping for a better day.
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V-8!
Low on the energy side (carbs), high on electrolytes sodium and potassium.
But you'd want it cool, and it is likely not to hit the spot when hot.
I'll do it after a long summer bike ride - it hits the spot then, and fast.2 -
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Today was just about the opposite of last week's hike. I had plenty of energy, no dizziness or tingling, and no headache whatsoever. I was so happy! Here's a pic:
I took the electrolyte advice and brought Gatorade. I didn't like the taste, but it seemed to do the trick. I also ate a bit right before hitting the trail. The weather was cooler, and the hike gained the same amount of elevation, but not all at once, so that helped.
Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. They helped me get back out there right away!4 -
Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »I wonder which electrolyte products are best. I see that several companies are selling them. There's Powerade and Gatorade powders that you can get at any sports store. Good, but pretty sweet-- I favor separating the electrolytes from the fuel. There are Nuun tabs at Amazon (some have caffeine). Emergen-C has a product, which could be fine so long as there isn't too much vitamin C in it (it's hard on your stomach in high doses).
Not sure what is the best approach. I will be experimenting this summer.
@Jthanmyfitnesspal
I know OP got her answer, but "Drinkwel" (online brand/website) makes these electrolyte drops that I got as a free sample that were totally awesome! I forgot all about them until you mentioned that. The website is actually geared toward rehydration for active people who like to drink alcohol, so their vitamins and such are their "big sellers"... but their electrolyte drops are amazing and last forever. Check them out if you're still browsing. I think they give a huge coupon for first time customers, too. It's been awhile, but they were maybe $9.99 at full price.1
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