It’s a beautiful summer day and there are so many exciting outdoor activities to participate in, like bicycling, a trip to the park, a lake day, or how about the beach! Unfortunately, with this extreme summer heat, dehydration can occur quickly and can be extremely dangerous. So, what does dehydration look like? And, who is most likely to suffer from it?
Dehydration occurs when the body does not take in as much fluids as it excretes. We lose hydration levels through sweating, exercise, or illness. Young children and babies can become dehydrated quickly, because they have smaller fluid reserves. This means it takes less fluid loss for them to experience dehydration.
- How do you know if you are dehydrated? The most common symptoms are:
- Dry mouth
- Decreased urine output
- Drowsiness
- Low energy, weak
- No tears
- Sunken eyes
If these symptoms occur, it is important to treat them quickly. Rehydrate with water, or something with a little more flavor such as Pedialyte or Gatorade. If symptoms are severe, seek medical attention immediately.
We urge you not to wait for symptoms to occur to start trying to protect yourself. Try these easy steps to help make sure you don’t miss out on any summer fun:
- Drink lots of fluids. You can gauge how hydrated you are by the color of your urine – the clearer the better!
- Wear light weight, light colored clothing and hats to avoid overheating.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they will dehydrate you more.
- Try to avoid being outside during the peak hours of sunlight, between 10 am and 2 pm. But if you must be outside, don’t overdo it, dehydration and overheating often occur suddenly.
Following these tips will help you to combat the toll that sun can take on your body, and allow you to enjoy outdoor activities all summer long!
