Isotonic Drinks.Yay or Nay.

[OskarTennisChampion]

I pretty much have had the same routine for 24 years.
1 hour before I go out,I have a bowl of oats and that gives me some slow release energy.
On the trails,when I stop off,I have some cereal bars and good old Orange barley water.
This seems to get me through my ride fine.
However,when I get in and showered,I still feel dehydrated and develop a splitting headache.
Went out today and did 24 miles of trails,so I'm sitting here taking paracetemol.Again.
Could this be(what the makers say),not replacing the right fluids and body salts ?
Or is it just marketing bullcrap ?
Thanks in advance.

 

[midlife]

Unless you are sweating profusely you can rehydrate on plenty of water alone, try putting a spoonful of sugar and some salt in your drink next time to see if it helps but more than likely not. Bitd we had "accolade" which did the same thing.

Shaun

 

[OskarTennisChampion]

Thanks Shaun,I'll certainly give that a try.Try anything really.
I sweat quite a lot during the summer obviously,but today,even though it was windy and cold,I broke sweat.
But not overly.
My thoughts were the same about water,as long as you have enough you should be fine.
I'm just not these days.

 

[Kajjal]

I dehyrate quite quickly when mountain biking in the summer and just take water and muesli bars with me. I found sugary drinks during the ride leave me very thirsty. Before riding try drinking some water in advance and afterwards i find a chocolate milkshake helps recovery after long rides.

Do you run out if water during rides ?

 

[fossyant]

More water.

 

[OskarTennisChampion]

I dehyrate quite quickly when mountain biking in the summer and just take water and muesli bars with me. I found sugary drinks during the ride leave me very thirsty. Before riding try drinking some water in advance and afterwards i find a chocolate milkshake helps recovery after long rides.

Do you run out if water during rides ?

Well I do take the Orange Barley on rides,sugar free incidently.
I don't run out of drinks on rides,no.
I will try the water,sugar and salt concoction,see if that helps.

 

[OskarTennisChampion]

More water.

Simple advice,yet says so much.

 

[jefmcg]

Do you drink less coffee/tea on days you take your long rides? Your headache could be caffeine withdrawal.

This is the reason some OTC headache remedies have caffeine. Quietly fixes your headache without you realising you are addicted.

(edit: just to be clear, I am addicted to caffeine, but know it and recognise the headache)

 

[steve50]

I pretty much have had the same routine for 24 years.
1 hour before I go out,I have a bowl of oats and that gives me some slow release energy.
On the trails,when I stop off,I have some cereal bars and good old Orange barley water.
This seems to get me through my ride fine.
However,when I get in and showered,I still feel dehydrated and develop a splitting headache.
Went out today and did 24 miles of trails,so I'm sitting here taking paracetemol.Again.
Could this be(what the makers say),not replacing the right fluids and body salts ?
Or is it just marketing bullcrap ?
Thanks in advance.

All of the above suggestions are great and very helpful but if you consider you are drinking enough fluids whilst out riding (how much fluid do you drink over a 24 mile ride) you might have an underlying health issue that needs treating. pounding headaches could indicate a blood pressure issue (high bp) . I would seriously suggest you make an appointment to see your gp or practice nurse for a health check, if it achieves nothing else it will give you peace of mind that you are in generaly good health.

 

[OskarTennisChampion]

Aaah,I do drink a good amount of coffee in the mornings and a few when I get home.
We could be narrowing it down now.
Cheers.

Do you drink less coffee/tea on days you take your long rides? Your headache could be caffeine withdrawal.

This is the reason some OTC headache remedies have caffeine. Quietly fixes your headache without you realising you are addicted.

(edit: just to be clear, I am addicted to caffeine, but know it and recognise the headache)

 

[OskarTennisChampion]

All of the above suggestions are great and very helpful but if you consider you are drinking enough fluids whilst out riding (how much fluid do you drink over a 24 mile ride) you might have an underlying health issue that needs treating. pounding headaches could indicate a blood pressure issue (high bp) . I would seriously suggest you make an appointment to see your gp or practice nurse for a health check, if it achieves nothing else it will give you peace of mind that you are in generaly good health.

This is all good stuff guys,and I appreciate your efforts.
I made a self diagnosis if you like,and put it down to not replacing the "right" fluids and salts.
@steve50 .I WILL do this,thanks.Not getting any younger,so even if it is nothing underlying,I have at least checked it.
It could be any one of the things suggested.

 

[jefmcg]

could indicate a blood pressure issue (high bp)

Oh, good point. Because the isotonic drinks contain salt, and you should not take (nor need) more salt if you have high blood pressure.

Your local GP nurse should be able to test that for you.

Headaches are serious, and should not be ignored. You shouldn't have one after a 24 mile ride. Your GP will probably tell you to ignore it. My friend who had a stroke took about a week before he was correctly diagnosed; at first he was sent home with paracetemol. But you should take it seriously. Your symptoms don't sound like a stroke, I'm just using that as an example.

 

[OskarTennisChampion]

Oh, good point. Because the isotonic drinks contain salt, and you should not take (nor need) more salt if you have high blood pressure.

Your local GP nurse should be able to test that for you.

Headaches are serious, and should not be ignored. You shouldn't have one after a 24 mile ride. Your GP will probably tell you to ignore it. My friend who had a stroke took about a week before he was correctly diagnosed; at first he was sent home with paracetemol. But you should take it seriously. Your symptoms don't sound like a stroke, I'm just using that as an example.

Yep,better safe than sorry.
I will make an appointment.
Again,thanks to all.

 

[jefmcg]

Yep,better safe than sorry.
I will make an appointment.
Again,thanks to all.

I am SOOOO not a doctor, but you might want to go for ride just before your appointment. Maybe talk to them when you make the appointment.

 

[ayceejay]

Analysis is your friend.
If the only thing that has changed in those 24 years is your age and the headaches - the problem is age related.