Summer can be so fun! Bright sunny days, warm temperatures, festivals, vacations, long hours of daylight…
Summer can also be hot! During the summer it is even more important to drink plenty of water. So, how much is enough?
When we don’t drink enough water, we become dehydrated. When it is hot, and we sweat, it is even easier to be dehydrated.
What about age? As we age, our total body water decreases. (Check out your skin lines and wrinkles). So, it is even more easy to be dehydrated.
When you are dehydrated you can feel dizzy, especially when standing or quickly turning. You can also have a headache, feel extra tired, and feel like your heart is pounding or beating differently. With decreased water in your body, you can become constipated and can find you urinate less.
If you take diuretics (water pills), your risk of dehydration goes up.
If you have incontinence (trouble holding your urine), do you tend to avoid drinking when you are going to be somewhere without easy bathroom access? This can make it easier to be dehydrated, too.
Note, one technique that often helps with incontinence is to empty your bladder on a scheduled basis. Rather than drink less, schedule bathroom stops every 2-3 hours rather than waiting for the urge to urinate.
When you are going to be out in the heat, don’t forget to drink water. The hotter and more you sweat, the more important that you drink as you get thirsty. Dehydration can make it easier to fall and keep you from feeling good.
If you would like to know more or have an assessment of your dehydration risks, please contact us at www.medsmash.com.
Click here to connect to my personal blog for application. – Michelle Fritsch
