Dehydration

It's here! Summer in full swing along with the heat. This year there seems to be a lot more humidity as well. Not only does that increase the heat index (make it feel hotter than it is) but it also puts you at risk for dehydration.

Who is at risk?

• People in countries with insufficient clean water to drink
• Children who are old enough to talk but not old enough to understand about thirst
• People who are relying on coffee, tea, soft drinks, juice, and alcohol (all dehydrators) for their liquid
• New mothers -- especially nursing mothers
• Athletes (athletes can easily burn through more water in their bodies than they replace)
• People for whom physical labor is a large part of their daily routine
• People whose work keeps them on the move and/or on their feet
• People whose daily routine (or company policy) prevents them from keeping liquid nearby
• People who are ill, feverish, vomiting, or who have diarrhea (especially people with weakened immune systems from illnesses such as cancer or AIDS)
• Babies and children who aren't given enough liquid
• People who are overheated and sweating profusely
• Diabetics
• Mentally or physically disabled children and adults
• Seniors -- especially seniors in nursing homes and seniors who don't move around well
• People with an eating disorder -- especially those using diuretics or laxatives
• People who are abusing drugs or prescription medications
• People eating an excessive amount of salt
• People traveling, working or living in an arid, humid, hot, cold or high-altitude environment
• Airplane travelers (airplane air dehydrates more quickly than outside air)

How do I know if I'm becoming dehyrated? The simplist indicator is to check the color of your urine. Urine from a well-hydrated person should be very pale yellow. Dark yellow urine is an indication you need to increase your fluid intake. Don't try to replace it all at one but take regular drinks of water. You may also need to supplement with an electrolyte drink but watch out for the high sugar content ones.

Symptoms for Dehydration

1. Mild Dehydration: is likey with the following: Thirst, dry lips, dry mouth, flushed skin, fatigue, irritability, headache, urine begins to darken in color, urine output decreases
2. Moderate Dehydration: (call a medical professional): All of the signs of mild dehydration, plus: skin doesn't bounce back quickly when pressed, very dry mouth, sunken eyes, (in infant - sunken soft spot on the head), output of urine will be limited and color of urine will be dark yellow, cramps, stiff and/or painful joints, severe irritability, fatigue, severe headache. Seek medical attention.
3. Severe Dehydration: All of the signs of mild and moderate dehydration, plus: blue lips, blotchy skin, confusion, lethargy, cold hands and feet, rapid breathing, rapid and weak pulse, low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, high fever, inability to pee or cry tears, disinterest in drinking fluid. Call the EMTs. This can be life threatening.

Some other concerns:

Heat Cramps: brief but painful involuntary muscle spasms. They usually occur in the muscles being used during the exercise, and are a result of insufficient liquid intake

Heat Exhaustion: difficulty breathing, headache, feeling hot on head and neck, dizziness, heat cramps, chills, nausea, irritability, vomiting, extreme weakness or fatigue

Heatstroke: rapid and shallow breathing, rapid heartbeat, unusually high or low blood pressure, lack of sweating, mental confusion and disorientation, unconsciousness, physical collapse

Don't mess with the heat! If you are concerned, get help. Especially, with moderate to severe signs of dehyration.

Source: http://www.saferchild.org/dehydrat.htm