Summer’s around the corner, and it’s just going to get hotter.  Maybe sweltering. This means one thing crucial: Drink. Then drink some more. With hotter weather, our bodies excrete more fluids through sweat. In addition, the air is often dry due to heavy sunshine, sequestering the surrounding dampness we might otherwise garner during colder months.  All in all, we can dehydrate much more easily during heat-imbibed months.

According to the Rehydration Project, a hydration education campaign across the world, “The human body needs water to maintain enough blood and other fluids to function properly.” Read: Our bodies need fluids to produce blood. If there’s not enough water, what can you expect from blood flow? Therefore, if left unchecked, short term and certainly longterm dehydration can lead to a host of problems due to blood loss and other fluid loss. In fact, fluids affect us all around, as medical advice website, WebMD, points out: “Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, and every system depends on water…Water is important for healthy skin, hair, and nails, as well as controlling body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.” In the elderly, the issue is more imminent since our bodies lose fluids naturally with age – wrinkles, anyone?

Article interlude: Take a break now, and grab a glass of water.  OK, now continue reading.

Symptoms of Dehydration
Listed below are the warning signs of dehydration.

-Thirst/dry mouth
-Urine is concentrated – appears darker yellow
-Infrequent urination
-Dry skin
-Headaches
-Lethargy
-Sunken eyes, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and involuntary muscle contractions. These might be signs of an emergency – seek help immediately.

How to Stay Hydrated

If we drink throughout the day, we are unlikely to be thirsty. Therefore, have a drink every hour or two, rather than bombard yourself suddenly with the 6-8 recommended daily glasses in one go. All fluids count (yes, even coffee), although water is the healthiest.

Here are Rockaway Care Center, we make sure our menus include plenty of drink options and are always reminding people to drink enough, especially during the summers. This way, you can help feel your best by maintaining optimal hydration, whether you’re here short-term or long. 

Now did you finish that glass of water yet? Cheers!