Exercise-associated hyponatremia Exercise-associated hyponatremia Exercise-associated hyponatremia, or EAH, is a fluid-electrolyte disorder caused by a decrease in sodium levels (hyponatremia) during or up to 24 hours after prolonged physical activity. This disorder can develop when marathon runners or endurance event athletes drink more fluid, usually water or sports drinks, than their kidneys can excrete. This excess water can severely dilute the level of sodium in the blood needed for organs, especially the brain, to function properly. The incidence of EAH in athletes has increased in recent years, especially in the United States, as marathon races and endurance events have become more popular.
Exercise-associated hyponatremia drink beyond the dictates of thirst can be deadly." Similarly, authors of the Statement of the Third International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus Development Conference claim this advice has "facilitated inadvertent overdrinking and pathological dilutional EAH." Critics of the ACSM's view have questioned their motives, pointing out that Gatorade is one of the organizations "platinum sponsors." Treatments are focused on the underlying cause of hyponatremia and include When EAH is treated early, complete recovery is expected. In addition to the above treatments, athletes experiencing EAH encephalopathy may also receive high-flow oxygen and a rapid infusion of 100 ml of 3% NaCl to