I recently made an unexpected trip to the Emergency Room because of something I was totally unaware.
Going backwards four days I began by setting up a show which was an hour and a half away so needless to say my destructive decision started early one Friday.
No one thinks twice probably about fluids during the average work day for an artist setting up a show (or for that matter just about anything you get busy with and distracted).
I was pretty busy the next two days and the fourth day I went to Denver all day so there you have it four days with very little fluids due to the fact I was busy, distracted (or just plain did not want to leave my tent to a stranger thinking I would miss a sale.)
Hypotension is caused from dehydration and can cause all kinds of symptoms but do not get me wrong it is not just water but electrolytes you are lacking (note: you can drink too much water).
People with already low blood pressure do not have that far a drop before symptoms begin. Lack of sufficient water cause your blood pressure to drop even further into a danger zone. I felt like I had had a heart attack laying on the floor that morning but it can also cause dementia type problems or coordination glippes.
Electrolytes control a lot of things in your body and they all shut down. Please just remember to take along at least half your body weight in ounces of water and use something like Harmless Harvest coconut water with electrolytes to supplement (also a banana helps). It is scary to think that could have occurred while I was driving or worse.
Be proud of your low blood pressure (within reason) but also be aware of the need of electrolytes each and everyday. Be safe.
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