People become dehydrated when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. Nearly 60% of the body is made up of water, which is why staying hydrated is necessary for many bodily functions, such as digestion, balancing chemicals, lubricating joints, and regulating body temperature. Various factors such as your age, weight, level of activity and environment affect how much water you need.
The summer temperatures in a city like San Antonio can get very high. The more you perspire from the heat, the more chance you have of becoming dehydrated. You may not even realize that you’re dehydrated because you only need to lose about 1.5% of your body’s water to experience certain symptoms.
Check if you’re dehydrated
If you experience the following symptoms, it is possible that you’re dehydrated.
- Dark yellow, strong-smelling urine
- Feeling fatigued
- Headaches
- Feeling thirsty
- Dry mouth, eyes and lips
- Urinating less than four times a day
These symptoms indicate that you’re mildly or moderately dehydrated. If you’re mildly dehydrated, drinking enough fluids can hydrate you. You need to make sure you drink enough to make your urine a pale, yellow color. Sports drinks can help to replenish electrolytes you may have lost.
If you’re moderately to severely dehydrated, intravenous hydration may be necessary. Drip Hydration, SweetEquity and Drip IV Lounge offer mobile San Antonio vitamin IV therapy. A dehydration drip typically includes an infusion of hydrating IV fluids that leave you feeling fresh and revitalized. 
What increases your risks of becoming dehydrated?
There are various factors that increase your risk of becoming dehydrated. Vomiting or diarrhea makes you lose fluids that you need to replace. Replace fluids with a drink that contains electrolytes as loss of electrolytes like sodium or potassium can cause cramping. Oral rehydration powders contain electrolytes and vitamins that help hydrate you quickly.
When temperatures are higher than average, you will sweat more, which increases your risk of becoming dehydrated. Heavy exercise that causes excessive sweating will do the same.
If you take diuretics for high blood pressure or heart failure, you will urinate more, which can cause dehydration. If you’re a diabetic and your blood sugar is not under control, you will also urinate more.
Who is more at risk of dehydration?
Anyone can suffer from dehydration, but babies, young children, and the elderly have a higher risk. Babies can’t effectively communicate that they’re thirsty. They need parents to make sure they are drinking enough. The elderly may not be able to access drinks or forget to drink altogether. Caretakers need to frequently offer seniors drinks.
Tips for dealing with dehydration in San Antonio
- Spend too much time in the sun, and you run the risk of heatstroke. Try to stay out of the midday heat. When you do go out in the sun, wear sunscreen and protective clothing.
- You may find it difficult to drink enough if you don’t feel well. Try to start with small sips and gradually drink more.
- Drinking too much alcohol acts as a diuretic. Try to avoid drinking too much, or make sure you drink as much water as you do alcohol.
- Keep track of how much fluid you drink and drink throughout the day, including at meals.
- If you play sport or exercise, you should drink about 15 to 20 ounces of fluids an hour or two before. Make sure you drink while exercising and afterward, too.
- Alcohol and caffeinated beverages like coffee tend to pull fluid from your body. Try to reduce your intake.
Signs of severe dehydration
Severe dehydration requires medical attention. You may be severely dehydrated if you experience the following symptoms:
- Headache and confusion
- Dizziness and light-headedness
- High heart rate but low blood pressure
- Flushed skin and swollen feet
- Heat intolerance or chills
- Constipation
Severe dehydration not only affects you physically but emotionally and mentally too. You may feel anxious, irritable, and confused. When fluid levels in the brain aren’t high enough, this can affect your memory and coordination. Your heart also has to work faster when there’s less water in the blood.
Conclusion
As your body consists mainly of water, it makes sense that you need enough of it to make sure all bodily functions are operating properly. Even drinking a little less fluid than your body needs can result in symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and dark yellow urine. It is very important to treat dehydration before it becomes severe.
