Team PACK Final Business Plan

Βülzi – Concept Statement

Page 0

βülzi

12/18/2015 Final Business Plan

A convenient, efficient, accurate, and coherent tool for

understanding hydration and sodium needs while exercising.

Adams | Chi | Kadim | Palmer

βülzi – Final Business Plan

Page 1

THE PROBLEM

“I was in ER last year after vomiting from a nutrition change on an 18 mile run. I was so dehydrated and

imbalanced with my electrolytes that I had leg muscle fasciculations for months afterwards that worsened every time I exercise to the point of muscle fatigue.” – Female, 46, long-distance runner

The most commonly diagnosed electrolyte imbalances are associated with sodium concentrations and include

hypernatremia (high levels of sodium) and hyponatremia (low levels of sodium).1 Endurance athletes have long

been aware of the importance of maintaining water and electrolyte balance during training and competition,

yet exercise-associated-hyponatremia (EAH) is a prevailing condition without a common solution. EAH is

defined as the condition in which sodium levels drop excessively during and up to 24 hours after prolonged

physical activity.2 Recent studies show EAH in up to 29% of endurance athletes participating in marathons and

Ironman triathlons and up to 50% in endurance cycling.3 EAH significantly impacts athletic performance,

inducing symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and mental confusion, which can prevent athlete’s from

completing their event.4 Although known and preventable, it is one of the most life-threatening causes that

can occur during an athletic event and has claimed the lives of 10 athletes since 1993.3 Most athletes manage

their fluid and sodium levels using self-diagnosis and DIY methods and find it inadequate and frustrating.

Currently, the only method for most people to measure electrolytes levels, including sodium, is by going to a

hospital or medical lab. There is no product in the market that allows for portable, timely, and reliable diagnosis

of sodium.

TARGET MARKET: WHO THEY ARE

“I play the guessing game...It's usually up to me to figure out what my imbalance is...I have found myself in some near scary situations.” –Female, distance runner

Our entry market focuses on athletes with the most urgent need for sodium management: endurance athletes.

These athletes are cyclists, swimmers, and runners who compete for substantial lengths of time (2 to 24 hours),

often unaided aside from what can be carried on their person or gleaned from intermittent aid stations.

Endurance athletes are particularly susceptible to EAH because they exercise continuously, incurring large

volumes of sweat and fluid loss. An average of 11% of endurance athletes consistently suffer from EAH (Table


Page 2

1).5 Fluid and sodium management is therefore imperative in order to complete the race at peak performance

and avoid hospitalization.6

Table 1. Entry Market Segmentation3, 7-11

Market Segment Size

(Race Finishers)

Annual Growth

Rate (2009-2014)

Reported EAH

Occurrence Total Market Size

Half Marathons 2,000,000 14% 8% 160,000

Marathons 541,000 8% 10-15% 70,000

Triathlons 477,000 5% 18% 85,860

Cycling 63,500 2% 50% 31,750

Total 3,081,500 11% 11% 347,610

Endurance athletes suffering from EAH comprise approximately 3% of the market at-large we intend to capture

(Table 2). Fluid and sodium balance is a significant determinant of performance for all athletes.12 What

differentiates our entry market from the market at-large is that endurance athletes rarely have coaches and

trainers on the sidelines monitoring their health. Endurance athletes’ ability to maintain peak performance is

solely reliant on their self-management and diagnosis, which is a primary frustration of this market segment.

Table 2. Total Available Market13-15

Market Segment Number of

Athletes

Annual Growth

Rate (2009-2014)

Professional Athletes 14,900 7%

Collegiate Athletes 478,869 20%

High School Athletes 7,807,047 11%

Endurance Athletes 3,081,500 13%

Total Available Market 11,382,316 12%

TARGET MARKET: WHAT THEY NEED

“You need to be ahead of the game and hopefully manage things before they become a problem.” – Male, 28, Marathon runner and endurance cyclist

Endurance athletes have three primary jobs to be done: measure sodium levels, determine what is wrong, and

correctly solve that issue in order to continue to competing (Table 3). Compared to incumbent methods, this

market needs a solution which quickly provides them information in real-time and is convenient to use and


Page 3

understand, without compromising accuracy (Figure 1). Additionally, personal interviews with endurance

athletes shed light that this market has limited “real estate” on their person or gear, such as a bicycle, for

utilizing additional gear. Our entry market needs a solution that minimizes impact on personal “real estate” and

integrates into existing gear as much as possible.

Table 3. Jobs to be Done

Figure 1. Value-based Position Map

Jobs To Be Done Importance Frequency Frustration Score Rank Benefit

Measure sodium

levels 5 5 5 50 1

Accuracy/ Convenience/

Affordability

Determine

discomfort source 5 3 5 40 2 Convenience/ Certainty

Continue

competing 4 5 4 36 3

Ability to

Participate/ Effective


Page 4

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

βülzi is an all-in-one unit designed to be a convenient solution for athletes to assess their sodium levels and

understand next-step solutions for nutrition and hydration. βülzi utilizes a sweat sensor pressed against the skin to

measure sodium levels and suggests further action to the user. Our product design is captured in the following

four target areas:

Convenience:

βülzi makes sodium-level assessment accessible at all times by attaching the sweat sensor to the body. It is easy

to use and wear. The interface and sweat sensor are designed to act as a clasp, making it possible for users to

attach βülzi to existing gear, such as watch bands or shorts. βülzi is not bulky; it’s small (approximately the

diameter of a quarter), sleek, thin design makes it functional to attach to other gear, without being

cumbersome or causing chafing. βülzi’s sweat sensor is non-invasive - sodium levels are measured through skin-

to-sensor contact. Simply attach, press the center button to turn on, and go!

Efficiency:

βülzi provides rapid feedback to users. Sensor readings are taken every five minutes, providing continuous

feedback to athletes. Users also have the ability to take “snap shot” readings, simply by tapping the center

button, triggering an on-demand measurement.

Accuracy:

Most athletes rely upon intuition to understand their sodium and hydration needs. With βülzi, athletes no longer

have to question their nutrition and hydration choices; βülzi is their guide. Based upon readings from the sweat

sensor, βülzi suggests the next-step for the user using color-coded commands (Figure 2).

Coherence:

In the middle of strenuous and prolonged exercise, athletes need an interface which is easy to read and

understand. βülzi utilizes changes in colored light to communicate to users what they need to do to keep their

sodium levels balanced. βülzi is easy to understand how to use; when held, the single center button turns the

unit on and off and can be pressed to take a “snap shot” readings for users.


Page 5

Figure 2. βülzi Product Design

βülzi

Interface provides

colored readings and

contains power and

“snap shot” button

Rotates at hinge

to open and close

Sweat sensor

faces into skin

Yellow Light Blue Light Green Light

Solid = Increase Salt Intake Solid = Drink Water All OK

Flashing = Urgent Flashing = Urgent

Red Light All Lights

End exercise – seek help Rotating = Device Running

Flashing = Low Battery


Page 6

ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN:

βülzi’s core competency lies in the development of new monitoring technology that has information

management designed specifically for ease of use in both training and competition. As discussed previously,

the market value mapping shows the need for an efficient and convenient measurement tool while still

retaining accuracy. The βülzi meets these market needs through these key processes and resources, which are

detailed later in the business model canvas.

The competitive advantage of βülzi in the athletic tracking device market is founded in being a unique

product that meets an unserved need. The competitive hierarchy model, as shown below in Figure 3 below,

analyzes competitors in various levels of the market environment. At the product form level, the closest

competitors are general fitness trackers that currently do not have sweat sensing or sodium measuring

capabilities. In the product category realm, supplements such as salt tablets or gel packets and hospital or lab

tests are the remaining other options for treating sodium imbalance. Both the DIY method and tests are not

meeting customer needs as shown in the value based market positioning (Figure 1). At a broad level, customers

spend money on sports drinks and personal trainers to help improve their performance, and are willing to invest

in general athletic equipment and clothing with the same budget.

Figure 3. Hierarchy of Competition


Page 7

PROPOSED BUSINESS MODEL:

The proposed business model for βülzi is simple, much like the device itself. Revenue will be generated solely

through transactions involving the βülzi device. The price point of the βülzi was placed at $60 after thorough

discussions with our target segment. Target customers were willing to purchase the concept product anywhere

from $15-$60. While some of the target customers expressed interest in lower costs, as a health-related device in

the endurance world, we decided to set the price at $60 to represent the quality and novelty of the product.

The business model canvas for βülzi is shown below in Figure 4 and lays out the elements that enable a

profitable and sustainable business. The critical elements that provide the basis of competition are the key

processes and key resources that go into the product. The value proposition describes the market need for a

simple device with efficient information management, and the βülzi patents and intellectual property tied to

the device will ensure continued value and profitability.

Figure 4. Business Model Canvas

The main channels of revenue for βülzi include online sales, through athletic stores, and transactions at race

events. The customer relationships are a vital element to the success of the device, as are the key partners

involved in the business. Along with the assumption that partners and customers will accept and use the

product, the riskiest assumption we make is that the product performs as we have described.

Key Partners Key Processes Customer Relationships Customer SegmentsInformation management

R&D/Prototyping

Marketing at endurance

and athletic events

Reference groups

Social media

Key Resources ChannelsPatents

Sales network

Online sales

Athletic stores

Event sales

Value Proposition

Suppliers

Assembly

Event management

Sponsorships

(Teams and Individuals)

Future Partners

Drinks/nutritional brands

Endurance athletes

Growth into all athletes

A convenient, efficient,

accurate, and coherent

tool for understanding

hydration and sodium

needs while exercising

Transactional model

Unbundled device

R&D

Marketing

Warehousing

Inventory

Website

Cash Flow Revenue


Page 8

PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS:

βülzi relies on sweat sensing technology that is still under research and development, and the business model

was created assuming an effective product could be made at a reasonable cost. Without the technology or

associated patents, βülzi would be unable to provide the value proposition we seek. Apple’s iWatch originally

had sweat sensing technologies and had to be removed due to inconsistencies with moisture levels, proximity

to the skin, and even hair on the skin.16 Assuming the device is able to perform as previously described, the next

priority in business planning is with marketing and customer relationships. As shown in Figure 5 below, βülzi has a

relatively simple ecosystem, with the simultaneous distribution directly to the customers, sponsors, and event

managers allowing for multiple opportunities for market penetration.

Figure 5. The βülzi Ecosystem

Due to the unknown market receptiveness to βülzi, the business ecosystem is more sensitive downstream than

upstream. The suppliers and investors play a major role in allowing the high quality product be manufactured at

lower costs, however the ecosystem is established with customer need. Marketing plays a major role in

ensuring the customer acceptance, and continued research and interactions with the customers would allow

βülzi to continue meeting market needs. To help combat market adoption barriers, βülzi devices would be

initially provided to high profile endurance athletes and teams to gain aspirational support in the community.

From conversations with the target segment, innovators and early adopters often copy equipment that the

high profile athletes use. We would then rely on reference groups and presence at events to continue

spreading the βülzi product to the rest of the market.


Page 9

REVERSE INCOME STATEMENT AND FORCAST:

βülzi’s business concept involves a simple revenue model of transactions only. In comparing profit goals, Fitbit

was used as a benchmark due to their similar product and transactional revenue model. Over the last two

years, Fitbit has maintained gross profits of 40-50% of their total revenue, which is the projected goal for βülzi

after the third year of operation.17 As shown in the forecasted revenue statement in Table 4 below, the first year

and second year losses due to growth and customer relations are turned into profits seen in the third year. The

first year specifically has a high percentage focused on initial development, whereas the second year

operating expense increases as sales increase. By the third year, product costs would be streamlined with

higher orders, allowing for more revenue per operating expense, and research and development would

continue for eventual updates or new products.

Table 4. Forecasted Income

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Revenue $300,000 $800,000 $2,100,000

Cost of Revenue $600,000 $1,000,000 $1,200,000

Operating Expense $100,000 $400,000 $600,000

Research and Development $300,000 $300,000 $300,000

Sales and Marketing $100,000 $150,000 $100,000

General Administrative $100,000 $150,000 $200,000

Income Before Tax ($300,000) ($200,000) $900,000

Contribution Margin $300,000 $200,000 -

Contribution Percentage 100% 25%

The third year shows a 43% profit margin and equivalent sale of 35,000 units, which is still a relatively small

portion of the total target market. In terms of competitive hierarchy and customer willingness to purchase these

types of devices, between the spring of 2013 and 2014, 3.3 million fitness trackers were sold, approximately two-

thirds of which were sold by Fitbit.18 With the specific targeted customer segment, successful marketing and

reference group penetration would bypass the forecasted revenues and sales of the βülzi.


Page 10

RECOMMENDATION:

Having fully explored the βülzi business concept, there are many factors that were considered in determining

the recommendation moving forward. Some of these factors included integration and connectivity to

mainstream devices, the potential health liabilities involved in the product, and the competitive rate of

innovation in the somewhat saturated market of performance devices. With these and other topics in mind, it is

our recommendation to go forward as a concept with the intent to license to or be acquired by a larger

company in the market, such as Garmin, Fitbit, or Nike. The βülzi concept of a simple and separate

measurement device for athletes can be expanded and fully utilized by a larger company. Compatibility with

watches, bike computers, or other athletic devices could also provide the means for a smaller detached

device to become mainstream in the athletic market.

If βülzi does not get acquired, the recommendation would be to recycle and attempt to sell any associated

patents or intellectual property to companies. The risks associated with continuing the product as a separate

company are too great as a start-up. Without the large customer base of the existing companies or the legal

protection they could provide, βülzi carries a good solution to a frustrating problem, but does not have a strong

enough business plan to be an independently successful start-up.


Page 11

REFERENCES 1 Waikar SS, DB Mount, and GC Curhan. "Mortality after hospitalization with mild, moderate, and severe hyponatremia." The American Journal of Medicine 122.9 (2009): 857-865.

2 Hew-Butler T, JC Ayus, C Kipps, RJ Maughan, WH Meewise, AJ Page, SA Reid, NJ Rehrer, WO Roberts, IR Rogers, MH Rogner, AJ Seigel, DB Speedy,

KJ Stuempfle, JG Verbalis, LB Weschler, and P Waharam. “Statement of the Second International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus Development Conference, New Zealand, 2007.” Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine 18.2 (2008): 111-121.

3 Hoffman MD. Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia. http://www.naemsp.org/Documents/2015 Annual Meeting Handouts/FRI 230 2B Hoffman.pdf. 2015.

4Speedy DB, TD Noakes, and C Schneider. “Exercise-associated hyponatremia: A review.” Emergency Medicine 13 (2001): 17 – 27.

5Speedy, DB, TD Noakes, NE Kimber, IR Rogers, JM Thompson, DR Boswell, JJ Ross, RG Campbell, PG Galagher, and JA Kuttner. “Fluid balance during

and after an ironman triathlon.” Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine 11.1 (2001): 44 – 50.

6Casa DJ, LE Armstrong, SJ Montain, BSE Rich, and JA Stone. “National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Fluid Replacement.” Journal of Athletic Training 35.2(2000): 212 – 224.

7Running USA. July 13, 2015. http://www.runningusa.org/statistics.

8Final USA Triathlon 2014 Membership Report. 2014. http://www.usatriathlon.org/~/media/1283f1e4167c46efb5081f1574335508.ashx.

9Active Member Demographic, USA Cycling. 2015. https://www.usacycling.org/corp/demographics.php.

10Mohseni M, S Silvers, N Diehl, T Vadeboncoeur, W Taylor, S Shapiro, J Roth, and S Mahoney, "Prevelence of Hyponatremia, renal dysfunction and

other electrolyte abnormalities among runners before and after completeing a marathon or half marathon." Sports Health 3.2 (2011): 145-51.

11Speedy DB, TD Noakes, IR Rogers, JM Thompson, RG Campbell, JA Kuttner, DR Boswell, S Wright, and M Hamlin. "Hyponatremia in ultradistance

triathletes." Medical Science Sports Exercise 31.6 (1999): 809-15.

12Shirreffs SM, and MN Sawka. “Fluid and electrolyte needs for training, competition, and recovery.” Journal of Sports Science 29.S1 (2011): S39 – 46.

13Bureau of Labor Statistics. January 8, 2014. “Occupational Outlook: Athletes and Sports Competitors.” http://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-

sports/athletes-and-sports-competitors.htm

14Irik E. “Student-Athlete Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates Report 1981/82 – 2013/14.” National Collegiate Athletic Association (2014).

15National Federation of State High School Associations. “2014-2015 High School Athletics Participation Survey.” http://www.nfhs.org/ParticipationStatics/PDF/2014-15_Participation_Survey_Results.pdf

16Kingsley-Hughes A. February 17, 2015. “Sensor issues forced health features to be cut from Apple Watch.” ZDNet.

http://www.zdnet.com/article/sensor-issues-forced-health-features-to-be-cut-from-apple-watch.

17Fitbit, Inc. Form 10-Q. October, 31, 2015. United States Securities and Exchanges Commission. http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1447599/000144759915000012/fitbit09301510q.htm.

18Danova T. May 5, 2014. “Just 3.3 million fitness trackers were sold in the US in the past year.” Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/33-million-fitness-trackers-were-sold-in-the-us-in-the-past-year-2014-5.

Βülzi – Concept Statement

Page 12

APPENDIX I – CODEBOOK

Verbatim Comment Source Incumbent

Solution

Observed

Gaps

Level of

Frustration

Benefit

Themes

(Sentiment)

Profile

This is a great topic to explore and is a tough situation for

many endurance athletes. My core body temperature

runs really low and I don't sweat a whole lot, even with

aggressive aerobic exercises. When I was doing a lot of

distance racing/training I was really lucky to find a good

combo of products and timing of ingestion that really

worked for me and never really had any issues. I spent a

lot of time reading about concentrations of drink mixes

trying to see what was best for me. I was also really

regimented about being consistent with bottles per hour

and tracked how much I was eating and drinking while I

was running or on the bike.

Email

communicati

on

Self-Assessment

Self-Education

Nutritional

Supplements

Inaccurate

Time

Consuming

2 Effective (+)

Accuracy (+)

Efficiency (-)

Female, Endurance

Athlete, Cyclist, long

distance runner, Ironman

My husband has had a lot of issues with electrolyte

imbalance. He does fine racing in cool weather, but the

minute the temps get over 70-75 degrees and if in a dry

climate he really struggles...He also struggled with finding

a proper concentration of electrolyte mix and often

made it too concentrated and would get sick or not

concentrated enough. On 2 occasions he has ended up

in Urgent care requiring IV fluids after a stage race and

suffering from heat exhaustion and electrolyte

imbalance. Both times he was beyond being able to

drink his way out of it and would vomit with ingestion of

fluids. On multiple other occasions he has not had to go

to the hospital after a race, but has been very ill and

vomiting due to improper intake of electrolytes.

Email

communicati

on

Self-Assessment

Nutritional and

electrolyte

supplements

Inaccurate

Ineffective

5 Effective (-)

Accuracy (-)

Reliability (-)

Certainty (-)

Safety (-)

Male, Endurance Athlete,

Long distance runner,

Cyclist

My management is all based on timing of drinking. I do

my best to monitor my output through examining my

heart rate and relative effort. At that point, it becomes a

personal science of timing when you drink fluids and how

often. Some people gauge by the color/clarity of your

pee. For me, the game is over by that point if you find

your urine is too concentrated. You need to be ahead of

the game and hopefully manage things before they

become a problem. The idea you are working on would

be a big game changer in making my hydration

accurate and effective.

Email

communicati

on

Self-Assessment

Nutritional and

electrolyte

supplements

Inaccurate

Ineffective

5 Effective (-)

Accuracy (-)

Reliability (-)

Certainty (-)

Safety (-)

Michael, Male, 28,

Endurance Athlete,

Marathon runner, Cyclist


Page 13

My friend Spencer didn't want to go through what he

has seen Cort go through with some of the dehydration

during the stage races and ended up being hospitalized

in a coma from hyponatremia. He hasn't raced a bike

since

Email

communicati

on

Self-Assessment

Nutritional and

electrolyte

supplements

Inaccurate

Ineffective

5 Effective (-)

Accuracy (-)

Reliability (-)

Certainty (-)

Ability to

participate (-)

Male, Endurance Athlete,

Long distance runner,

Cyclist

Experienced athletes tend to know what kind of race

nutrition they need (water, calories, electrolytes) based

on experience. Less experienced runners in long

distances may prefer to follow prescribed expert

guidance (mcg's per hour for example) but this doesn't

always work as all runners needs are very

individual.........and results can vary based on how hard

an athlete is running. Less experienced runners aren't

always good at gauging effort.

Email

communicati

on

Expert

recommendati

ons

Self-assessment

Nutrition

supplements

Inaccurate

Not enough

experience

to self

manage

No ability to

quantify

x Effective (-)

Accuracy (-)

Reliability (-)

Understanding

(-)

Male, Long distance

runner

In my 3 years of running I have been able to start by

weighing myself before and after running to know how

much fluid I need and then I alternate every 6 oz with

light electrolytes such as NUUN... I had some issues if I

have changed products for nutrition or hydration... I was

in ER last year after vomitting from a nutrition change on

an 18 mile run. I was so dehyrated and imbalanced with

my electrolytes that I had leg muscle fasciculations for

months afterwards that worsened every time I exercises

to the point of muscle fatigue

Email

communicati

on

Self-Assessment

Body weight

measurement

technique

Electrolyte

supplements

(Nuun)

Inaccurate

Inconsistent

Ineffective

4

Effective (-)

Reliability (-)

Accuracy (-)

Female, 46, Long distance

runner

They happen every bloody time :-( All is well until about

90 to 110km and then it starts. Always in the right leg first:

quads, then hamstring and then the adductors. Left leg is

better, not as strong cramps, just quads. If I ride hills

cramps happen sooner, on the flat later, but it is all very

frustrating. I did a Granfondo ride last week, averaged

35kmph for about 100km or so and when we hit the hills I

lost about 25 min in stops and very slow rides. I wasn't

hammering, I was in a group most of the time so it was

mostly drafting and I did my share of pulling too. But even

in training when I average 30kmph, give or take, at

about the same distance I get bad cramps. I drink

Gatorade every 10 min (big gulp) with added

electrolytes (e-lete) drops and eat a Power bar or Cliff

bar every 35-45 min. I just can't eat and drink more.

Slowtwitch

online forum

Self-Assessment

Nutritional

supplements

Inaccurate

Ineffective

Time

Consuming

5 Convenience

(-)

Effective (-)

Accuracy (-)

Distance cyclist


Page 14

Did a 59m hilly road race yesterday, and like clockwork

had severe cramping around two hours in to the point of

not being able to pedal. Took precautions day before

and morning of by preloading with Salt stick and

Enduralite tablets, ate two bannanas morning of along

with two pickles, also adequate hydration. This has been

happening at nearly every race of over two hours for me,

up to the point of cramping I was at 207 watts average

and 158bpm ave(47 years old/158#'s), then bam, could

barley finish, constant cramps till the end. I ride roughly

200 miles a week and am at 6300m YTD. can it be too

much electrolytes?

Slowtwitch

online forum

Self-Assessment

Nutritional

supplements

Ineffective

Inaccurate

Uncertain

Results

4 Effective (-)

Accuracy (-)

Reliability (-)

Certainty (-)

47 yr old, endurace cyclist

Swimming, football, athletics. All had to be stopped

competitively because of my reoccurring cramp

problem. I went to the doctors and they couldn't suggest

anything to resolve the problem. I've tried so many

remedies and "tricks" to try and prevent it. Even now I'm

finding cramp setting in during less strenuous activities

such as running. It is slowly ruining my life, one which I am

always desperately trying to stay fit and healthy.

Reddit -

Online Forum

Self-assessment

"Tricks"

Home remedies

Inaccurate

Ineffective

Unreliable

Uncertain

results

5 Ability to

participate (-)

Reliability (-)

Accuracy (-)

Certainty (-)

Effective (-)

Swimmer and Football

Player

"The rationale is good," Bergeron said of James taking

cramping pills. "But what amount of sodium? Those salt

pills might contain 600 milligrams of sodium, but he might

need a thousand or tens of thousands of milligrams.

Often times, it's not enough. The salt pill is often nowhere

near enough once the cramps occur."

ESPN Article -

"The science

of Lebron's

cramping"

(Tom

Haberstroh,

6/8/14)

Salt tablets Inability to

meet

demands of

the

environment

4 Relability (-)

Effective (-)

Accuracy (-)

Efficiency (-)

Ability to

Participate (-)

Michael Bergeron, Doctor

Just a wee bit concerned here. Gotta wait more than a

week to find out if reducing my fluid intake will resove it -

she

said to come back in a week (that would be next Friday)

to be tested again...then it's long weekend, and she only

works

part time, so I'll be waiting till the middle of the next week

after that to find out if this is relatively minor or what.

instead or reducing your water -

why not increase your salt?

That's what I would have thought too -

but when the PA phoned me late Friday afternoon to tell

me about this, she said,

"And the idea isn't to increase salt, but to reduce your flui

d intake -

I want you to reduce your fluid intake by at least

half, and come back within a week so we can check yo

ur sodium level again".

I don't know whether that means 'don't increase salt' -

or if it just means, 'cut back on the water'.

Active Low-

Carber Forums

- Electrolyte

imbalance -

an update...

Hydration

Hospital

Timeframe

for results

Uncertainty

for diagnosis

5 Certainty (-)

Accuracy (-)

Reliability (-)

Effective (-)

Efficiency (-)

Sara, active user


Page 15

I've a question: it's my second time having hyponatremia.

It's much milder this time (133mmol/L) compared to last ti

me

(118mmol/L). My sodium level self corrected back, about

7~8 hours after peeing hourly. I didn't go to the hospital b

ut

restricted my fluid intake to ~1.5L (from both food and wa

ter). I wonder how long do I need to stay water restricted

?

Patient.info -

Eleyctrolyte

imbalance

forum

Hyponatremia

fluid restrictio

n

Hospital

diagnosis

Water

Restriction

Uncertainty

of diagnosis

3 Efficiency (-)

Accuracy (-)

Certainty (-)

user ida95461

I ended up severely hyponatremic with sodium level of 11

9. Got readmitted. Boy this

feels aweful. Lots of labs and hormone replacements.

MDJunction -

Pituitary Tumor

forum

hyponatremia

post op

Labs

Hormone

replacements

Lack of

control

Uncertainty

of cause

4 Safety (-)

Accuracy (-)

Certainty (-)

user agosrenshaw05

I have had been treated chronic hyponatremia for 2 yea

rs. The treatment has consisted of salt pills and demecloc

ycline.

The results have varied with being hospitalize twice. Sam

sca was used in the hospital to bring my sodium levels up.

Last

time I went to the ER with SL 122. No underlying cause ha

s been diagmosed. I am a 78 year male that was in goo

d health.

Patient.info -

Eleyctrolyte

imbalance

forum

Hyponatremia

SIADH

Salt Pills

Hospitalization

Medicines

Varying and

uncertain

results

4 Safety (-)

Accuracy (-)

Certainty (-)

78 year old male

previously in good health

My body cannot retain water. That causes me to drink

and if the urination doesn't stop, I will drink more. And I'll

suffer symptoms. Nausa, drowsy, very tired are the

common symptoms. If it is too bad, I'll get fast breathing,

my body shake/trembling, confusion, vomiting. I'll take V8

and gatorade to help me with the symptoms. If the

urinating doesn't stop and the symptoms continues, I'll go

ER.

MDJunction -

Hypopituitaris

m forum

Hyponatremia

?

V8 and

Gatorade

ER if bad

conditions

Inability to

regulate

Lack of

control

Unreliable

Inaccurate

5 Certainty (-)

Accuracy (-)

Reliability (-)

Effective (-)

Safety (-)

User

pinkapple, Diabetes Insipi

dus

I found out yesterday that she was asked to go to the ER

by her doctors after getting her blood drawn because

her sodium levels were WAYYY low. She will be there for a

couple days with an IV treatment to regulate this. Has

anyone else experienced this??

MDJunction -

Cirrhosis forum

low sodium

levels

ER

IV treatment

Length of

inconvenien

ce

3 Convenience

(-)

Certainty (-)

Child of mother affected

Question, does anyone have a low sodium problem? I

got my blood work back and this is the second time my

sodium was 133. supposed to be 135-146. My doc says it

could be from drinking too much water? I need to drink a

lot of water since I am always thirsty.

MDJunction -

Lyme Disease

forum

low sodium?

Reduce

Hydration

Uncertainty 2 Certainty (-)

Convenience

(-)

Safety (-)

Anthony, lyme disease


Page 16

So I did more research and this time I realized I probably

had a sodium deficiency, (or a potassium/salt ratio

imbalance). That problem is almost unheard of in

American society, but as I thought of what I was eating - I

realized it make total sense that was my problem. I

started adding salt to everything and within a day all the

palpitations stopped. So that was totally the problem.

Now it's two weeks later and I want to start the exercise

part again, minus heart palpitations. How can I make

sure I'm getting enough potassium and salt? I've added

more salt to my diet, but I think I'd like to add a sport drink

element just to make sure my heart doesn't freak out

again.

Mark's Daily

Apple - Salt

and Potassium

- Electrolyte

Issues

Add Salt to diet Uncertainty

of solution

Ineffective

Inaccurate

2 Certainty (-)

Accuracy (-)

Reliability (-)

Effective (-)

Safety (-)

User MaloryVon, on primal

diet with heart palpations

Anyone here dealt with sodium serum levels? My dads

was too low, 129. 2 weeks ago we cut all table salt out of

his diet and we don't eat a lot of canned or processed

foods. I'm wondering if he should eat a little table salt.

The hospital got his levels back to normal by restricting

fluids. He doesn't seem to be carrying a lot of fluid right

now. 2.5 weeks ago he was 205 lbs. now he is 165, most

of it was loss from draining his stomach and the diuretics.

MDJunction -

Cirrhosis forum

Sodium Serum

Levels

Reducing salt

intake

Fluid Restriction

Hospital

Uncertainty

of solution

3 Certainty (-)

Safety (-)

Reliability (-)

Child of affected parent

with cirrhosis

I play the guessing game. Often. I rarely get them tested

(only during a physical exam - maybe once every two

years) so it's usually up to me to figure out what my

imbalance is. I choose to maintain a lower sodium intake

because I find that it throws me out of sync when I don't.

That said, I am also an avid runner and have found

myself in some near scary situations. I don't care for

bananas or potatoes on a regular basis, two of the most

talked about potassium sources. To moderate, I find

myself eating foods I would otherwise avoid - like potato

chips and salty snacks - because I haven't found a better

FAST alternative in my 15 years with CDI. I would love a

way to test my electrolytes at home and replace them

with natural sources.

Facebook

Support

Group

Self-assessment

Low-sodium diet

Salty snacks

Access to

Testing

Accuracy of

Self-

assessment

5 Certainty (-)

Safety (-)

Accuracy (-)

Effective (-)

Reliability (-)

Female, athlete, Central

Diabetes Insipidus

For me it's a "treat the symptoms" method, which is an

awfully challenging way to do things. I don't monitor my

electrolytes regularly but I try to pay attention to my body

signals. It's just too expensive to go to the hospital for

testing on a regular basis. Some sort of person meter

(similar to a glucose meter for DM) would be ideal.

Facebook

Support

Group

Self-assessment Financial

Inaccurate

Access to

Testing

5 Certainty (-)

Affordability (-)

Accuracy (-)

Reliability (-)

Effective (-)

Female, Diabetes

Insipidus


Page 17

My sons number one reason for hospital admissions over

the years has been electrolyte imbalance - particularly

sodium. Two years ago, we were able to obtain an istat

machine. These are normally only approved for hospital

use, but my sons situation is extreme with sodium levels

fluctuating wildly and dangerously so. Since obtaining

the istat, we have had far fewer hospital admissions and

ER visits. We can easily check 1-2 times per week when

he is in normal range and 1-2 times per day if we need to

make an adjustment. He feels better, and it has really

improved his quality of life. It's a huge blessing!

Facebook

Support

Group

iStat None 5 Certainty (+)

Safety (+)

Accuracy (+)

Effective (+)

Efficiency (+)

Mom of child with

Diabetes Insipidus

I just got out of the hospital last night due to low sodium

(123-124). Mine was due to diuretics working too well,

which were causing a crash in the sodium

levels/electrolyte imbalance, although I think there are a

number of reasons why this happens in patients with liver

disease. I took a pill (called Samsca, I think) which

seemed to help, but isn't covered by my insurance and

would cost me close to 10 grand to buy over the course

of the year, so that's not a long-term solution.

MDJunction

Support

Group

Hospital Inaccurate

Ineffective

Financial

4 Affordability (-)

Certainty (-)

User with liver disease

Team PACK Final Business Plan

Documents

Transcript of Team PACK Final Business Plan