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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Seek shade and wear cool clothes to lessen sweating and body-water loss.
- 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.