Getting Dehydrated After Playing Soccer

Updated on June 15, 2010
J.W. asks from Glen Carbon, IL
5 answers

I am in my late 30's and am very active. I have played competitive soccer in the past and still play indoor now. Lately I have had issues with getting dehydrated after games, once to the point where I went to the emergency room. It usually happens in the middle of the night. I wake up and am dizzy, sick to my stomach, I can't regulate my body temp. I went to the Dr after this last occurence. He said I drank too much water and need to drink more Gatorade to replenish my electrolytes. So I did that last nite and was able to get through the nite, but I am sick to my stomach this morning.
I have never, in my 34 years of playing soccer, had this happen. Has anyone experienced this? It is such a horrible feeling that I am thinking about quitting soccer and I hate the thought of that!

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V.E.

answers from Lansing on

Maybe you are not getting enough potassium in your system before playing soccer. I'm 55 yrs old and still play competitive soccer with the under 30 crowd. I usually make my own sport drink because the mass produced drinks are usually all sugar water and I don't care what the dr's say, I don't think they supply the electrolytes any better than natural water or my own sport drink. My own sport drink recipe is half natural water, half 100% juice (usually oj), pinch of salt. Sometimes I eat a banana before the game or at half time for the potassium. I do some stretches before the game. I love playing soccer and am usually on pretty good competitive teams and have great fun, competition and exercise. Right now I'm on a team that has a couple control freaks, that are mean to me and if they think I'm getting more playing time than they get, they treat me extremely rotten. They gossip about people and stab you in the back. I have to ignore this type of person because they make it unpleasant to play with them. I play both co-ed indoor and outdoor and womens indoor and outdoor full field and have never experienced what you are experiencing. Check into getting more natural potassium and not from the Gatorade. Hope this helps.
V.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.R.

answers from Phoenix on

My question is WHEN are you drinking the gatorade? You said you 'did that last nite'...does that mean you drink it after the game before going to bed? If so, you need to drink and replenish BEFORE and DURING and AFTER the game with a gatorade type of beverage. Not just at night. And not just water.

As one ages, you do absorb fewer nutrients from food, and with your added athletic needs, you need to be sure you are eating plenty of potassium (bananas) and some extra protein too.

If you're in Phoenix or another hot climate, my husband sees tons of sick, foggy, dizzy, dehydrated kids from parents pushing water on them all day. Water alone does not replace the lost salt, etc.

You can make your own sports drink too. Just google it. We mix 100% fruit juice with herbal tea and a dash of salt here at home for the summer.

And yes, I experienced this same phenomena after long bike rides where I drank just water.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I have been told that if you feel thirsty, it's already too late, that you should take care of your thirst before it happens if you are in a sport. I can't remember how much you are supposed to drink each day, but you need to start carrying that amount with you and make sure you get it each day. You probably have gotten dehydrated and have not gotten back from that.

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

That doesn't sound like dehydration, it almost sounds like heat exhaustion. If you are staying properly hydrated round the clock, you shouldn't have that problem from one game, you know? Sounds like an improper diagnoses... I would go get a second opinion. Hope you feel better! Don't quit playing :)

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

the key to hydration is to follow the process daily....not just when doing sports! By pumping fluids during/after physical activity, you're basically just binging! & your body is rebelling.

Change your daily pattern of hydration & you'll feel better!

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