Summer is the time to enjoy all that’s great about the outdoors, but it can also be a time of illness if the proper precautions are not taken. When the temperature is warm, your body needs extra water to produce the sweat that cools the skin and keeps the body from overheating. If there is too little water within the body, bodily functions are affected and you could experience problems ranging from weakness to life-threatening illnesses such as heat stroke. Adequate hydration, or replacement of water in your body, is extremely important to keep you healthy and active all summer long.
How to Avoid Dehydration
Dress for the weather. Wear loose, light clothing if you will be outside on a hot, sunny day. Light colors reflect the sun’s rays and a loose fit allows sweat to evaporate and cool your body. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep your face cool.
Drink before you get thirsty. Experts at the American College of Sports Medicine note that drinking fluids before, during and after physical activity is an important part of regulating body temperature and replacing fluids lost through sweat. Thirst is not the best indicator of how much fluid you need.
Avoid certain drinks. Water is all you need if you will be active for an hour or less. If you plan to be active or out in the sun longer, hydrate with a sports drink which will replace both fluid and electrolytes which are lost when the body sweats. Avoid consuming drinks which contain alcohol or caffeine; they tend to promote dehydration. Also avoid drinks with high sugar content, such as soda and 100% fruit juice, that are slow to be absorbed by the body.
In general, when you are active and sweating, you should drink at least every half-hour to ensure you are replacing your lost fluids. If you develop symptoms of serious dehydration such as extreme thirst, lack of urination, dizziness and confusion, get immediate medical care at an emergency room or dial 9-1-1.
Get Treated at RediClinic
This summer, RediClinic is ready to help with common health issues such as allergies, sunburn, poison ivy, insect bites, rashes and more. We treat everyone age 18 months and older, seven days a week, with no appointment needed. Our walk-in clinics can be found inside select Rite Aid pharmacies in Baltimore/Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Seattle, and H-E-B grocery stores throughout Texas. We’re your most convenient and affordable healthcare option!
