In the last week, many cities in the United States have been experiencing extremely high temperatures which can be a cause for health concern for people due to dehydration.
It is normal for our bodies to lose water each day through breathing out water vapors, as well as water loss in sweat, urine and bowel movements. Water is replenished through drinking water and eating foods that contain water – especially fruits and vegetables.
As the temperature increases, the water loss from the body is accelerated and the risk for dehydration is increased. Dehydration results when fluids, mostly water, are released from the cells and move out of the body at a faster rate than they are taken in through drinking water. The best way to prevent dehydration related to high temperatures is through proper intake of water during extremely high temperatures.
Soft drinks, sodas in particular, are not an appropriate choice for fluid intake to prevent dehydration. I mention this because according to the USDA, in 2002, soft drink consumption had increased more than 50 percent in the last 50 years. With this attitude towards fluid consumption, it is sometimes difficult to get children and adults to drink more water.
When the temperatures and heat index is reaching over100 degrees for days on end it is especially important to drink water and other drinks that contain electroytes (Salts and minerals that can conduct electrical impulses in the body that are found in body fluids) – not sodas or other drinks. It is also important to realize that activities like extreme exercise, or prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause mild to severe cases of dehydration.
Symptoms of dehydration include extreme thirst, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, mental confusion, sluggishness, inability to sweat, small amounts of urine that are very concentrated in color, and heart palpitations. The temperatures could cause dehydration to turn into heat related illness, including heat exhaustion or heat stroke. These symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, and frequent muscle cramps. Heat Stroke is a medical emergency and can cause seizures, difficulty breathing or even unconsciousness.
Staying properly hydrated when the temperatures and humidity is high can create a safe and healthy summer.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dehydration-adults
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dph/oralhealth/library/includes/ed-materials/Soft_Drinks_and_School_Age_Children.pdf
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Electrolytes
http://firstaid.webmd.com/heat-exhaustion
http://firstaid.webmd.com/tc/emergency-first-aid-for-heatstroke-topic-overview
Reviewed July 22, 2011
by MIchele Blacksberg R.N.
Edited by Shannon Koehle
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com
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“Dr. Dae" (pronounced Dr. Day) Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who treats the whole person using safe and effective combinations of traditional and natural methods to produce optimal health and well-being in the lives of her patients.