healthspin
by Kaila Smith
DEHYDRATION – check your symptoms and notice them in others
It is beneficial
to drink small
amounts of fluid
throughout your
day rather than a
large amount at
one time.
Adequate water
intake relies on
many
factors
including
age,
exercise/level
of activity, your
environment,
health conditions,
or
pregnancy/
breastfeeding.
Remember, the
more active you
are or the hotter it
is, the more liquid
you may need to
add to your diet.
18
W i t h
summer’s
r i s i n g
temperatures
a
n
d
increased
time spent
outdoors, it’s
important to
remember to
drink plenty
-- of water,
that is.
S o u t h
Kaila Smith, APRN, FNP L o u i s i a n a ’ s
Northshore Urological Associates hot and humid
weather may
cause the body’s internal temperature to
rise, which can result in heat exhaustion,
heatstroke and higher risk for some problems
such as kidney stones if not treated. If you
do not have enough fluids in your system,
your body becomes dehydrated which leads
to alterations of normal bodily functions.
When you become dehydrated, it means
the amount of water in your body has
dropped below what is needed for it to
work well. Every day you can lose roughly
20 ounces of water through insensible
loss. What does this mean? You lose
water through your skin by sweating, your
respiratory tract by breathing, with bowel
movements and many more ways you never
even notice.
Our bodies are about 60-70 percent
water. That high percentage of water in
your body helps digest food, keep your
mouth and nose from drying out, and rids
your body of harmful toxins among other
functions. Adequate water intake relies
on many factors including age, exercise/
level of activity, your environment, health
conditions, or pregnancy/breastfeeding. A
good rule of thumb is if your urine is dark,
then you are not hydrating well. If your
urine is light yellow or clear, then Bravo!
Your body thanks you!
The best way to avoid dehydration is to
drink enough water to replenish your body’s
supply. It is beneficial to drink small amounts
of fluid throughout your day rather than a
large amount at one time. Electrolyte drinks
or freezer pops are especially effective and
are better for you than sugar-filled sports
drinks, carbonated beverages or sweet tea.
Remember, the more active you are or the
hotter it is, the more liquid you may need to
add to your diet.
So how do you know if you’re dehydrated?
Here are a few signs:
• Dry mouth or feeling thirsty
• Feelings of tiredness/fatigue
• Lightheaded
• Heart rate increase
• Headaches
• Muscle weakness
• Dark coloration of urine
• Sunken eyes or no tears
• Confusion
• Muscle cramps
• Constipation
If you experience these symptoms,
contact your primary care provider because
you may need to be evaluated.
Sources: Centers for Disease Prevention
and Control; www.urologyhealth.org; www.
nationalacademies.org.