Any resident of Dallas knows that our southern, summer sun can be very powerful. While you may like to spend time in your yard enjoying the heat and sunshine, being outside in rising temperatures and direct sunlight can cause a number of health issues. One of the main problems many people run into during the summertime is dehydration.
In order to quickly address dehydration and keep you and your loved one safe from its effects, it’s important to be able to recognize the warning signs and work to avoid falling victim to this ailment.
Recognizing the Signs of Dehydration
There are a few degrees of dehydration, each with their own set of symptoms to watch out for. If you are suffering from mild or moderate dehydration, you may experience:
Dry mouth
Infrequent urination or dark-colored urine
Headache
Dry, cool skin
Thirst
In more severe cases, dehydration can cause more serious symptoms, such as:
Not urinating at all
Very dry skin
Rapid breathing or heartbeat
Feeling dizzy, confused or irritable
Lack of energy
Babies and young children often display different symptoms of dehydration. These can include:
Crying without tears
Dry tongue or mouth
Dry diapers for more than three hours
Sunken eyes, cheeks, and spots on the top of their heads
Protecting Yourself from Dehydration
Know If You’re High Risk
Certain groups of people are more at risk of experiencing dehydration than others. These can include children, elderly adults, those on certain medications, and those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, which cause frequent urination.
Practice Proper Care When You’re Sick
If you’re sick with a fever or an ailment that causes you to vomit for prolonged periods of time, your body will lose water at a much faster rate than normal. Until you’re well again, make sure you’re increasing your fluid intake.
Increase Water Intake When Outside
If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, make sure you have plenty of water on hand. You should especially be drinking more if you’re playing a sport or being active.
Eat Water-Based Foods
If you’re someone who has trouble drinking enough water throughout the day, try to eat more water-rich foods such as melon, celery, tomatoes, and pineapple.
If you find yourself suffering from dehydration, don’t wait until your symptoms worsen. Visit Advance ER at either of our Galleria or Park Cities locations for emergency dehydration treatment. Contact us today for more information.