Proper Hydration Is A Must...Or Else!

As you should know, dehydration is more serious than most people might believe.

A good friend went to visit one of our neighbors this past week, knowing that the neighbor would be at home. When he called out for him he received a response, but went to check for him and found him laying on the floor unable to get up. He had not broken anything, but had collapsed from serious dehydration and is spending his third day in the hospital getting properly hydrated and cared for.

Our bodies are about 74% liquid and, when we drop much below that level, energy drops, less essential systems start shutting down, and the body works frantically to conserve what liquid remains

The summer months are ahead. Just as we now know that our skin needs to be protected, our insides need adequate water and electrolytes (especially salt) to serve us properly.

Medications and other health factors, including vigorous exercise, temperature, humidity, and other individual factors impact how much water we each need to consume.

Stay safe, secure, well-hydrated, and healthy, please. Even if you are traveling in a car, take along extra water and, if possible, keep it cool. Lives have been saved because water was available to meet not only emergency needs, but the need for routine hydration.

We live on a water planet. We don't need to leave home without it.

Symptoms of Dehydration:

Here is a link to what the online encyclopedia Wikipedia has to say about the signs and symptoms of dehydration:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehydration#Signs_and_symptoms

Pay special attention to the signs and symptoms of dehydration in children, for their signs and symptoms vary somewhat from those for adults, especially if they are ill, vomiting, or experiencing diarrhea...all of which make them especially vulnerable to dehydration and requiring of special care and attention.

The elderly are inclined to dehydration simply because they are not as active, and they are less active in part because they don't properly hydrate! Keep water available to them, especially where they may sit much of the day. Encourage them to sip throughout the day, and be sure they are getting an adequate amount of vitamin D3, if they are not getting to go outdoors each day. Even if they do get adequate direct sunshine, and sunshine through the glass of a window doesn't count, their skin may no longer be able to generate their needed vitamin D, and should be supplemented after consulting their health professional. If you space out their medications and any supplements, you can have them drink some water with each pill or capsule, thus assuring they may have better hydration.

© 2012 Demas W. Jasper All rights reserved.