Are You Staying Hydrated in the Hot Summer Months?
We are right in the middle of summer. Months of long, hot, humid days with temperatures soaring lately and humidity even worse. While you enjoy the passing moments of summertime be sure you and your loved ones are staying properly hydrated in order to ward off potential concerns.
It’s not just about you and your immediate family either. During the excruciating summer months it’s a good idea to check in on any elderly neighbors or relatives you have too. Many elderly people experience serious health problems and even death during extreme weather periods such as the heat of the summer time. In fact, elderly dehydration is one of the main reasons the elderly are hospitalized each year.
There are several types and levels of dehydration. Dehydration is defined as the excessive loss of body fluids in which the body needs more fluids than are being input to function normally. The body fluids that are lost and desperately needed are either one or the other of the following or a combination of the two:
- Water loss
- Electrolyte loss
Some parts of the body are more ‘electrically wired’ than others requiring these important electrolytes. These body parts are as follows:
- Nervous system
Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration
If you want to avoid health problems from dehydration it’s vital to listen to your body and drink water throughout the day. Water is the best way to prevent and beat dehydration, especially during the warm summer months when we are all prone to perspire even more so than usual. Often times hunger is actually a sign of thirst, so drink a glass of water before going for food!
Simply consuming half of your body weight in ounces of quality water daily is a start.
Once you do get dehydrated you can quickly progress into real trouble if you don’t do something about it – fast! Becoming familiar with the signs and symptoms of dehydration is critical to beating dehydration and at the very least avoiding a hospital visit because of dehydration.
Symptoms of Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- Decreases urination
- Muscle weakness
Symptoms of Severe Dehydration
- Extreme thirst
- Extremely dry mouth and mucus membranes
- Sunken eyes
- Lack of sweating
- Lack of tears
- Very little or no urination
- Skin that won’t ‘bounce back’
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
Simple Steps to Avoid Dehydration
The best way to avoid dehydration, particularly during hot summer months, is to be sure you and your loved ones are drinking plenty of pure water on a daily basis, at least eight to ten, eight ounce glasses full. If you are exerting yourself or out in the heat, drink even more water.
Avoiding dehydration is as simple as drinking enough pure water on a daily basis but so many just don’t do this. When you realize the high price your body will pay from a serious case of dehydration or hypernatremia, you’ll be asking for more water to drink everyday.
Top 10 Hydrating Foods
- Coconut Water
- Bell Peppers
- Citrus Fruit
- Cultured Dairy (amasai/kefir/yogurt)
Coconut Water for Hydration
Coconut water is one of nature’s best hydrating drinks. It contains many things that contribute to hydration like amino acids, enzymes, growth factors and minerals. The chemical makeup of coconut water is similar to our blood which makes it perfect to help our bodies recover from dehydration.