protect against dehydration during summer

The long-awaited summer is here; the days became really stifling, and the sunlight is not comforting any more, but scorching. In summer, our body needs more refreshing liquid. Today we will talk about how you can protect yourself from dehydration.

The dehydration means the loss of moisture in the body, and without water, as is known, there is no life. Usually, the dehydration is a consequence of various diseases, but during the summer the human body sweats very strong, so that everyone has to observe his level of water supply. It is interesting that the body of a newborn child is composed 90% of water, while the body of an adult, according to various sources, contains 70-85% water, and for an old man, this ratio is only 55%, which for body is normally a critical condition.

Man is composed almost entirely of water. Blood, lymph, gastric juice, intestinal mucus, genital system, respiratory system, saliva, tears, and urine - all of these are water, in which are dissolved various substances. The metabolic processes in our body take place only in the aquatic environment. The more fluids are in our body, the faster takes place the biochemical reactions, the spread of nutrients to cells, the elimination of unnecessary products, the processes of renewal and recovery. The dehydration leads to a significant thickening of the blood, and entails the reduction of peripheral vessels, capillaries, which in turn causes vascular disorders, hypertension, hypotension and a slowdown of metabolic processes.

In order to avoid the dehydration and its terrible consequences, it is necessary to consume more fluids, at least two liters per day. We don’t refer to sugary drinks, coffee or beer, but we are talking about the consumption of mineral water, herbal tea or green tea, slightly sweetened beverages or clean water with berry fruits or with lemon juice. An effective remedy against thirst is Kvas, but because it contains yeast and sugar, like beer, it can negatively affect the silhouette. Other popular drinks are considered Indian rice and tea fungus, which can be easily prepared at home. The taste of these drinks is similar to Kvas. The only difference is that these drinks do not have a negative effect on the silhouette, quench thirst well, and are very useful for health, it also should be mentioned that they have certain contraindications, but that is the subject of a separate discussion.

During the summer heat, is desire to eat food in liquid form, we are referring to soups, and other similar meals. Do not exclude the salt because the salty products have the ability to maintain moisture in the body. Of course, there is no need to consume it in large quantities, but the use of salt in moderate quantities is necessary. In summer products lose their properties rapidly, therefore you should pay attention to what you eat, because diarrhea and vomiting due to poisoning can further dehydrate the body.

Now it’s time to talk about the largest organ, which also needs water. Skin, as the entire body, is starved during the heats; during the hottest time of year, it evaporates to 1.5 liters of water per day, so that besides a sufficient quantity of water inside the body, the skin needs an exterior humidity level. Therefore are useful moisturizers, lotions, sprays, use of these products is recommended for everyone. They contain various elements, such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, plant oils, which creates a protective layer on the skin, preventing moisture evaporation. A side effect of such resources is excessive glare, but now there are many moisturizers, lotions, gels, and emulsion having a mat effect. Sprays are also suitable for the heat of summer. They contain mineral and artesian waters, which are saturated with various ingredients, vitamins and minerals. Using this spray, you will instantly refresh the skin of the face without prejudice the makeup.

Remember that water means life, avoid dehydration especially during summer.

1Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don't feel particularly thirsty. As long as you don't drink massive quantities of water in a short period of time, too much water can't really hurt you. You should drink the same number of ounces of water as half your weight in pounds. 150 lbs = 75 oz. = about 9 glasses of water per day

2

In addition to drinking water, you have to replace nutrients lost from the body, especially sodium and potassium. But don't run to eat a teaspoon of salt; that intensifies dehydration. Choose a snack with some sodium and potassium. You haven't lost a lot of those electrolytes, so you don't have to load up on them. A glass of milk or a banana is enough to satisfy your needs.

3

Increase your fluid intake anytime you increase your activity level or spend time in the heat of the sun. Anytime you notice you are sweating, you need to drink more fluid to replace those losses. Keep a glass of water on your bedside table so you can easily get a drink in the middle of the night, especially in the warm weather.

4

Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and apply a moisturizing lotion everyday. When your fluid levels decrease, these areas suffer first and can cause you to be uncomfortable. By keeping them hydrated externally, you allot the remaining fluid to your organs, where fluid is most essential.

Summer is said to be the most fun season of all since it calls for many outdoor activities such as trips to the beach, parks, mountains and everywhere else. As enjoyable as it may seem, the summer heat can be torture to most people as it causes overheating and drying out of the skin, lips and hair. The signs of overheating may vary for each person, but all results are the same which is dehydration. Some of the symptoms include excessive sweating, skin turning pale as the body tries to release heat to regulate the internal temperature. The dehydration is caused by the decreasing amount of blood volume which triggers headaches, dizziness and low blood pressure. All these can cause physical weakness and over fatigue, and if a person with such symptoms doesn’t drink liquids, rest and cool himself, then it would be very life threatening which eventually will be very serious.

The best way to deal with the summer heat is to prevent yourself from being affected and irritated by it. The simplest way to beat the heat is to dress lightly when the sun is up, choose light materials such as cotton and avoid silk and dark colors. Don’t move too much during the late afternoon as it is when the sun and temperature is at its peak, most importantly, always stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and if you feel uncomfortable, turn the air conditioner on and keep it in a controlled temperature.

If you don’t have an air conditioning system in your home, then now is the best one to have an air conditioning installation as there are many options in terms of financial flexibility and cooling needs. Consult your nearest air coniditioner insallation center and let them survey the area so they’d know how much coolness and power from the air conditioning units you’ll need.

Dehydration and Heat Stroke

The danger of dehydration and heat stroke:

Dehydration and heat stroke are two very common heat-related diseases that can be life-threatening if left untreated.

What is dehydration?

Dehydration can be a serious heat-related disease, as well as being a dangerous side-effect of diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Children and persons over the age of 60 are particularly susceptible to dehydration.

What causes dehydration?

Under normal conditions, we all lose body water daily through sweat, tears, urine and stool. In a healthy person, this water is replaced by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. When a person becomes so sick with fever, diarrhea, or vomiting or if an individual is overexposed to the sun, dehydration occurs. This is caused when the body loses water content and essential body salts such as sodium, potassium, calcium bicarbonate and phosphate.

Occasionally, dehydration can be caused by drugs, such as diuretics, which deplete body fluids and electrolytes. Whatever the cause, dehydration should be treated as soon as possible.

What are the symptoms of dehydration?

The following are the most common symptoms of dehydration, although each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• thirst
• less-frequent urination
• dry skin
• fatigue
• light-headedness
• dizziness
• confusion
• dry mouth and mucous membranes
• increased heart rate and breathing

In children, additional symptoms may include:

• dry mouth and tongue
• no tears when crying
• no wet diapers for more than 3 hours
• sunken abdomen, eyes or cheeks
• high fever
• listlessness
• irritability
• skin that does not flatten when pinched and released

Treatment for dehydration:

If caught early, dehydration can often be treated at home under a physician's guidance. In children, directions for giving food and fluids will differ according to the cause of the dehydration, so it is important to consult your pediatrician.

In cases of mild dehydration, simple rehydration is recommended by drinking fluids. Many sports drinks on the market effectively restore body fluids, electrolytes, and salt balance.

For moderate dehydration, intravenous fluids may be required, although if caught early enough, simple rehydration may be effective. Cases of serious dehydration should be treated as a medical emergency, and hospitalization, along with intravenous fluids, is necessary. Immediate action should be taken.

How can dehydration be prevented?

Take precautionary measures to avoid the harmful effects of dehydration, including:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially when working or playing in the sun.
• Make sure you are taking in more fluid than you are losing.
• Try to schedule physical outdoor activities for the cooler parts of the day.
• Drink appropriate sports drinks to help maintain electrolyte balance.
• For infants and young children, solutions like Pedialyte will help maintain electrolyte balance during illness or heat exposure. Do not try to make fluid and salt solutions at home for children.

What is heat stroke?

Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness and is a life-threatening emergency. It is the result of long, extreme exposure to the sun, in which a person does not sweat enough to lower body temperature. The elderly, infants, persons who work outdoors and those on certain types of medications are most susceptible to heat stroke. It is a condition that develops rapidly and requires immediate medical treatment.

What causes heat stroke?

Our bodies produce a tremendous amount of internal heat and we normally cool ourselves by sweating and radiating heat through the skin. However, in certain circumstances, such as extreme heat, high humidity or vigorous activity in the hot sun, this cooling system may begin to fail, allowing heat to build up to dangerous levels.

If a person becomes dehydrated and can not sweat enough to cool their body, their internal temperature may rise to dangerously high levels, causing heat stroke.

What are the symptoms of heat stroke?

The following are the most common symptoms of heat stroke, although each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• headache
• dizziness
• disorientation, agitation or confusion
• sluggishness or fatigue
• seizure
• hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty
• a high body temperature
• loss of consciousness
• rapid heart beat
• hallucinations

How is heat stroke treated?

It is important for the person to be treated immediately as heat stroke can cause permanent damage or death. There are some immediate first aid measures you can take while waiting for help to arrive.

• Get the person indoors.
• Remove clothing and gently apply cool water to the skin followed by fanning to stimulate sweating.
• Apply ice packs to the groin and armpits.
• Have the person lie down in a cool area with their feet slightly elevated

Intravenous fluids are often necessary to compensate for fluid or electrolyte loss. Bed rest is generally advised and body temperature may fluctuate abnormally for weeks after heat stroke.

How can heat stroke be prevented?

There are precautions that can help protect you against the adverse effects of heat stroke. These include:

• Drink plenty of fluids during outdoor activities, especially on hot days. Water and sports drinks are the drinks of choice; avoid tea, coffee, soda and alcohol as these can lead to dehydration.
  
  
• Wear lightweight, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing in light colors.
  
  
• Schedule vigorous activity and sports for cooler times of the day.
  
  
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses and using an umbrella.
  
  
• Increase time spent outdoors gradually to get your body used to the heat.
  
  
• During outdoor activities, take frequent drink breaks and mist yourself with a spray bottle to avoid becoming overheated.
  
  
• Try to spend as much time indoors as possible on very hot and humid days.

If you live in a hot climate and have a chronic condition, talk to your physician about extra precautions you can take to protect yourself against heat stroke.