Tips To Avoid Dehydration This Summer

There is no doubt that summer is here in Texas, and the temperatures are

peaking. With the intense

heat, your body is much more prone to dehydration. This is typical because

we sweat more from the heat and our bodies need to use more water to try

and stay cool and regulate our body temperature. This is especially prevalent

in children as they typically have a lower body mass to hold hydration

and burn through it more quickly. It is also an issue that kids don’t

realize the importance of drinking water and are too distracted by the

summer fun. So, it is very important that you not only make sure you are drinking

enough water but also that your child is.

Here are some tips to help you and your family avoid dehydration this summer:

1. Get in the habit of carrying around a reusable water bottle wherever you

   go. This is not only great for your health but for the health of the environment

   (as it creates for less plastic usage from disposable water bottles).

   You should also get your children in the habit of carrying around a reusable

   water bottle. You can encourage this habit by keeping the water bottle

   fun (let them pick it out) and to keep things interesting you can even

   try adding fresh fruit to the water to flavor it.

2. Start you and your family’s day off with a glass of water as soon

   as you get out of bed, as well as one before you go to sleep at night.

3. If you find it hard to always be drinking water, or if perhaps your kids

   don’t love the taste, you can try and keep everyone hydrated by

   snacking on foods that are high in water content. Some of these foods

   include: watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, oranges, peaches, lettuce,

   tomato, beetroot, celery, and jicama.

4. Try to limit drinks with caffeine such as; coffee, tea, and sodas, as well

   as drinks with alcohol. These drinks can have a diuretic effect which

   can lead to quicker dehydration. If you do have a caffeinated or alcoholic

   beverage, follow each with a glass of water.

5. Try and limit drinks that are high in sugar like soft drinks and fruit

   juices. These tend to slow down fluid absorption into the body. If your

   child insists on fruit juice, dilute the fruit juice with water to reduce

   the sugar consumption and keep them hydrated.

6. Seek shade and wear cool clothes to lessen sweating and body-water loss.
7. If you are engaging in outdoor activities, be sure to drink double if not

   triple your water intake to make sure you stay hydrated. Take breaks from

   the heat regularly and stay cool by using the AC or shade as well as drink

   water if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or have a headache.

Common symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration can include:

• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth
• Decrease urine and urine of dark color
• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Dry skin
• Light-headedness

If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms or ones of more severity

you should immediately seek medical attention. If you have any questions

or would like to schedule a same day appointment, please don’t hesitate to

contact us today.

Important: If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or

go to your nearest Emergency Room. Information in this site is not intended

to be used as a diagnosis for your symptoms. If you experience any of

these symptoms, please seek medical attention or visit Urgentology Care.