Electrolyte Imbalance

[kckcdavis]

My son is a high school basketball player. He has been playing since age five. Within the last two years, we have had to take him to the emergency room 5 times due to, what we thought, was dehydration. After a game or an intense practice, he would cramp up extremely bad from his waist down, to the point where his body became stiff as a board. (SCARY!). We were told that he was extremely dehydrated and he needs to drink Gatorade. After the fourth emergency room visit, it was determined that both his potassium levels and electrolyte levels were low. So he was prescribed plenty of bananas and plenty of salty foods and keep drinking the Gatorade.It's been about 7 months since his last ER visit and we've been drowning him in Gatorade (which he likes of course)and stuffing him with bananas. Any advice on medication out there that can help, or herbal products that anyone is familiar with. Has anyone else experienced this...I know he can't be the only one.

[givings]

I too am looking for advice as I suffer from calf cramps that I believe are associated with electrolytes. I run a lot (60 miles/week) and live in Texas where the heat and humidity cause a significant loss of fluids.

I have found supplements to be helpful beyond salt and potasium. I have used Eletrolyte Stamina (Trace Minerals), and currently use Endurolytes (Hammer Nutrition). They both help. I add salt to my Gatorade as well. A doc recommended Magnesium which I take. Beyond bananas, OJ, spinach and rasins are good sources of potasium.

Finally, I am a heavy coffee drinking and think this causes some sort of absorbtion problem. If anyone has info on this, please pass along.

[kckcdavis]

Thanks for the info....I apprecieate it.