How Can I Avoid Dehydration This Summer?
Our health depends on water. After all, our bodies are nearly three-quarters water, so it’s little wonder we can only survive without the resource for about three days as compared to food. You can survive without food much longer, but a constant supply of water is crucial.
How Do You Get Rid of Dehydration?
Drink up. Just don’t overdo it. It’s actually possible to make yourself seriously ill by drinking too much water or sports drinks. In general, it’s best to pay attention to your thirst and take things slowly. Dehydration happens occasionally, and it may even cause symptoms such as a headache, but it’s typically easily reversed with little cause for alarm. In some cases, however, dehydration can be serious. Illnesses that cause diarrhea, fever, or excessive vomiting, for example, may lead to serious dehydration, especially among children.
Most people are pretty good at obeying their thirst and staying properly hydrated. There’s a persistent myth that adults need eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day, which actually is true. The amount of water an adult needs varies from person to person depending on everything from the relative humidity of the local environment to the temperature, the individual’s body size, and the amount of physical labor he or she is doing. Even diet plays a role.
How Can Dehydration Be Prevented?
The brain and body contain structures that indirectly detect the relative amount of water in the bloodstream then report back. Although there may be some lag time involved, this system generally does a fairly good job of telling you when you are thirsty. The answer to the question “How can I avoid dehydration?” is to obey your thirst. And, in specific instances when you know you will be exerting yourself to an unusual degree, perhaps in unusually hot or humid conditions, it makes sense to drink plenty of liquids beforehand and continue drinking water throughout the day.
What Is the Best Drink When Dehydration Occurs?
Plain water is the simple answer. Don’t discount other sources of liquid, however. We actually get appreciable amounts of water from the foods we eat as well as from coffee, tea, milk, and other drinks. It’s best to avoid sugar-laden soft drinks or other sweetened beverages. The extra calories contribute nothing useful to a diet, although in a pinch the water in these beverages can help with hydration. An apparent obsession with drinking (polydipsia) can potentially signal a serious health condition and should be reported to a physician.
When to Visit PhysicianOne Urgent Care
Dehydration typically doesn’t require medical attention, but in rare instances it can be life-threatening. If you suspect you or a loved one is experiencing signs of dehydration, PhysicianOne Urgent Care is open 7 days a week with extended hours to help. Whether it’s the result of overexertion in the heat or an extended illness involving vomiting or diarrhea, our experienced team will assess your symptoms and recommend the best treatment options. Contact us at 1.855.349.2828, or stop in today for a convenient walk-in visit. If you’re looking to save time, find a location near you and check in online!
