Summer Safety: Preventing Dehydration
Basically, you’re dehydrated if your body is losing water faster than you’re taking it in. Loss of bodily fluids happens through sweat, urination, bowel movements, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing, and crying. During the warmer seasons, we obviously sweat more often.
Drinking enough water is a big deal since dehydration can mess with tons of body systems. Common heat-related illnesses can cause heat cramps and, in more severe cases, heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. When electrolytes like sodium and potassium go off balance, you might get muscle cramps or even irregular heartbeats and seizures if it’s serious. Your kidneys take a hit as well. This can cause bladder infections, kidney stones, and long-term kidney problems. You could see a sudden drop in blood pressure, which can cause your organs to shut down from lack of oxygen.
If you don’t hydrate enough, your brain can get seriously confused and weak, possibly leading to loss of consciousness. It’s common for patients to feel like they’re having another stroke.
How to Identify Dehydration
Change in blood pressure from standing to sitting
Headache or headrush
Dry mouth
Decreased urine output or darker urine color
Loss of appetite
Weakness or fatigue
Dry or flushed skin
Chills
Constipation
How to Prevent Dehydration
Drink plenty of water or eat foods high in water content. For most, thirst alerts your body that it needs to drink. We often mistakenly think we’re hungry when we're actually thirsty. My husband and I set an alarm that goes off every two hours to remind both of us to drink a glass of water.
Limit time outside in the hot sun. If you are going to be outside, always bring water with you. It has become part of our culture to carry water with us wherever you go. You can be “cool” like the school kids.
When to Seek Medical Attention
I always recommend calling your health provider when in doubt. Everybody’s situation is different, and your team can best evaluate the next steps that make sense for you.
In general, if you or your loved one suddenly becomes confused, faints, has a spike in heart rate, has not urinated within 8+ hours, is unable to keep fluids down, has cool and clammy skin, or has blueish/grayish skin tone, please seek immediate medical attention.
