Mountain, altitude and dehydration: Hydratis moisturizing drink
In this article we analyze the impact of altitude on our hydration needs and explain how the Hydratis solution is ideal for your stay!
The Effects of Altitude
Humidity is lower at higher altitudes, making the air drier. Sweat evaporates faster, and you may not realize how much water you're losing through perspiration.
Additionally, at altitudes above 1000m, oxygen levels decrease, requiring greater effort to inhale and exhale, which also leads to greater water loss through breathing. According to the Wilderness Medical Society , you lose twice as much water at high altitude as you do at sea level.
High altitude can also cause you to urinate more frequently and reduce your thirst, putting you at greater risk of dehydration .
High altitude sickness
Not only is dehydration risky in itself, but it can mask or worsen the symptoms of altitude sickness, a potentially fatal condition that can affect some people at altitudes above 2,500 meters. Both dehydration and altitude sickness can cause nausea, headaches, and fatigue.
Drinking a lot of water or water with Hydratis does not help prevent or relieve altitude sickness and the only cure for altitude sickness is still to descend to a lower altitude.
How much water is recommended to drink at high altitude?
According to the Institute of Altitude Medicine (US), it is recommended to drink an additional 1 to 1.5 liters of water per day at high altitudes. At altitudes above 3,000 meters, it is recommended to increase your calorie intake.
It is therefore recommended to drink a total of 3 to 4 liters per day and to enrich this water with carbohydrates and electrolytes to compensate for losses caused by altitude and exertion. While it is important to drink enough water, drinking too much can be dangerous because it can dilute your body's sodium levels, leading to weakness, confusion, and seizures, according to the IAM. A good way to check if you are well hydrated is to check your urine. If your urine is dark rather than clear, you are dehydrated and need to drink more.
Ski Trip: What to Eat and Drink to Maintain Your Energy Levels?
Snow sports like skiing, snowboarding, and others are extremely energy-intensive. Combining significant physical exertion with altitude and extreme cold requires careful attention to what you consume throughout the day. Especially since meals and evenings are generally very generous and often alcoholic... We'll come back to that!
What drink should you choose on the slopes?
As we saw previously in the article:
Altitude + physical exertion = Increases water needs
The Hydratis electrolyte solution allows you to optimize your hydration thanks to its hypotonicity. This means that fluid absorption is faster and more efficient. Electrolytes help maintain fluid balance in the body, which helps you feel "in shape."
The minerals and trace elements contained in Hydratis also play a role in muscle recovery and therefore relieve the symptoms of cramps and muscle aches. Trace elements, for their part, have an antioxidant effect and support the immune system, which can be weakened during these situations of fatigue and dehydration.
Discover the Hydratis solution for your mountain stays this winter!
For lovers of raclette and long aperitifs, you will be delighted to learn that Hydratis is highly recommended after consuming alcohol to avoid the so-called "hangover" and voted by thousands of customers as the best anti-hangover solution!
Find us in pharmacies and on hydratis.co!
