When the summer weather hits, many people were anxious to get outside and enjoy some fun in the sun. Although it certainly can be enjoyable to go to a backyard barbecue or play some outdoor sports, there are also dangers that you need to be aware of as well. Avoiding or preventing these dangers can help you to enjoy everything that the summer has to offer without becoming sick or getting injured at the same time. One of the more common dangers that exists is dehydration, but it is also something that is easily remedied.
Our body is constantly losing fluids throughout the day. We lose them when we speak, breathe, sweat and urinate. When the weather gets hotter outside, however, we tend to lose fluid much more quickly than we do in the winter months. In addition, if we are active during the time that it is hot outside, the fluid loss can accelerate considerably. The body can lose a certain amount of fluid without any serious problems occurring but if we continually lose more than we are taking in, it could lead to a problem with dehydration. At that point, we could get sick and experience any number of issues.
Dehydration is a problem that can occur at any age but it is more of an issue when you are a young child or if you are an older individual. When they become dehydrated, the condition can be particularly dangerous and at times, it may even need medical intervention. Understanding and identifying the symptoms of dehydration in young children or older adults can alert you to any issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
When young children are dehydrated, the most common symptom is diarrhea but they may also experience a problem with vomiting as well. If your child is having these problems and you suspect the fact that they are dehydrated, you should react immediately. Older individuals may also have a problem with dehydration but they tend to hold less water volume in their bodies than a younger person. If they experience a problem with dehydration, it can lead to issues very quickly. In some cases, they may also be more likely to experience a problem with water loss because of a medication they are taking or because of the health condition they are also experiencing.
Fortunately, dehydration is one of the easier issues to prevent and reverse. Quite simply, it is a matter of taking in enough fluids so that you don’t get dehydrated in the first place. If you’re already experiencing a problem with dehydration, you can replace the fluids by drinking water. That being said, there are also some ways to speed up the process and to benefit your body at the same time.
One important thing to keep in mind is that cold water metabolizes faster than room temperature water. If you already have a problem with dehydration and want to reverse it as quickly as possible, drinking a glass of cold water is going to work much better. In addition, you may be losing electrolytes, such as sodium, when you are sweating. It is a good idea to drink water but you can replace the electrolytes by also including a sports drink, such as Gatorade. Generally speaking, drinking Gatorade along with water is the best choice. Avoid any drinks that would lead to further dehydration or other problems, such as coffee, tea and energy drinks.
If dehydration has become a serious problem, it may require some type of medical intervention in order to be corrected. In some cases, this may include going to Better Faster Urgent Care and getting checked by the professionals. Dehydration is a serious problem in some cases but there may also be other heat-related issues associated with it. These could include heat cramps, heat exhaustion and even heatstroke. Do not take a chance when any type of serious health concern is a problem. Get the individual help as soon as possible.
Most people are surprised with how much fluid they are losing when it is hot outside and they are active. It may be possible to lose enough water that you would need to rehydrate every 15 minutes or so. It is a much better idea for you to remain hydrated rather than trying to chase a problem with dehydration. In addition, you should rest every once in a while in a shady area so that you don’t get overcome with the heat and have more problems.
