Avoiding Dehydration
The warm summer season brings the thought of cool breeze, sipping a glass of chilled water or lemonade. With the thought of summer, it is also very clear that it’s that time of the year where dehydration is common and the body is in lack of the sufficient water.
Water is an important element required by the body all the time and its requirement increases in the warm weather. It keeps the body from overheating. While you exercise heat is generated by the muscles. The body needs to get rid of the heat to keep from burning up. The heat is discarded from the body through sweat during the warm weather. The tissue beneath cools down as sweat evaporates. The water level of the body reduces due to a lot of sweating. This loss of fluid affects the normal functioning of the body. If someone seems to be dehydrated, seeking an immediate medical attention is imperative.
Signs of dehydration include:
- Light-headedness
- Heat intolerance
- Flushed skin
- Fatigue
- Dry cough
- Loss of appetite
- Dark coloured urine
The best means to beat dehydration is by drinking water before you feel thirsty. If you wait till you get thirsty, you will be dehydrated already.
Tips to prevent dehydration:
- While you are active, before and after that drink plenty of water. It is essential when you work out intensely and it’s hot outside. You can drink rehydration drink or water. It is one of the best dehydration treatment
- While you are exercising carry a bottle of water or sports drink and have it in every 15 to 20 minutes.
- Effects of dehydration in children. Please ensure that child drinks extra fluids or sucks flavored Popsicle to remain hydrated.
- Ignore consuming high protein diet. If you are on a high protein diet than ensure that you drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water in a day.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol including wine and beer. They increase dehydration and also affect decision making.
- Avoid taking salt tablets. If you are worried about the loss of minerals through sweating than start having a sports drink.
Wear light-coloured clothes that are lightweight while exercising or working outdoors. If your clothes get soaked with sweat than change them as soon as possible.
