Epileptic-type convulsions and magnesium deficiency.
Immediately following 4 h of continuous exercise at +/- 45% Vo2max in heat, a 23-year-old, well-trained man displayed epileptic-type convulsions. One week preceeding this incident, he completed an identical work test successfully under room temperature conditions. An assessment of his physiological and biochemical results indicated only one abnormality: during exercise in heat, an abnormally low serum magnesium concentration prevailed for most of the test. Treatment with phenobarb and magnesium chloride enteric tablets ("Slow Mag", 2 x 535 mg/d) reversed the biochemical abnormality. After checking his resting serum magnesium, the subject subsequently heat acclimatized and repeated similar treadmill tests as before without any ill effects.
D000064:Acclimatization; D000328:Adult; D002712:Chlorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000209:etiology; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D002712:Chlorides; D008274:Magnesium; D010634:Phenobarbital