Painkillers, Water Retention Put Marathon Runners At Risk

The combination of certain painkillers and too much water could put some runners at risk of developing a deadly blood condition.

In a study of marathon runners, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found a direct relationship between regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, high water intake and the incidence of hyponatremia, a potentially fatal, low blood sodium disorder. The results are in the May 2 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

"These findings mainly affect marathon runners who have achy joints or pain and routinely take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories," says Dr. Juan Carlos Ayus, Baylor clinical professor of medicine and the study's principal investigator. "These medications can impair the kidneys' ability to excrete water."

If not immediately diagnosed and treated, hyponatremia can lead to fluid in the lungs or swelling in the brain.

During heavy exercise, blood flow is diverted from the gastrointestinal tract to the skeletal muscle. Any water that is ingested remains in the gut. When exercise ceases, blood flow may be partially redistributed to the gastrointestinal tract. This causes water to be absorbed abruptly, which can lead to hyponatremia.

Researchers also believe that a runner's sex may be a contributing factor. A previous study showed women are more likely to develop the deadly condition and show more symptoms. Although there is a higher percentage of male marathon runners, five of the seven patients in the current study were female. n

- From Baylor College of Medicine

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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