Signs you may be drinking too much water
It's quite common to hear of people are not drinking enough water, but is it possible to drink too much water?
Buzz60, Buzz60
In hot weather, dehydration can sneak up on a person but it can be prevented, along with the health problems it can create.
Dehydration results from the loss of too muchfluid from the body, depriving the body of adequate fluids to function properly.
High temperatures plus inadequate fluid can lead to dehydration which can increase risk for heatstroke, a life-threatening condition resulting from the body'sinability to control its core temperature.
Drink more fluids regardless of activity levels.
If your doctor limits the amount you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
Replace salt and mineralsHeavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
Talk to your doctor If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.
Keep pets hydrated Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, and leave the water in a shady area.
Waiting until you feel thirsty Good hydration means preventing issues before they start.
Energy drinksSome energy drinks contain much more caffeine than standard servings of coffee, tea, or soft drinks, and contain more sugar than soft drinks and add more calories. Drinking several energy drinks per day can raisecaffeine levels and affect the heart.
Alcohol Alcohol can cause dehydration. Drinking alcohol within 24 hours of working in the heat can increase the risk of heat illness.
More: How much water do Americans drink? Data shows disparities along race, income
Salt tablets are generally not recommended.In most cases, salt can be replaced by eating normal meals and snacks throughout the day. Avoid skipping meals.
Adults the symptoms of dehydration include:
Infants and young childrensymptoms of dehydration include:
Get medical help right away if a person'ssymptomsinclude:
For work safety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:
"Right off the bat, I'd say the average person needs about 3.7 liters of water, just shy of a gallon each day. That is before you take into account how active someone is," said Gordon Levine, exercise specialist at the Somerville-based Boston Sports Medicine.
Problems can occur when people don't recognize the risk, saidDr. Mary Lynn Joe, medical director ofCircle Health's urgent care services, located in Westford, Dracut, Tewksbury and Billerica.
"We get people who aren't prepared, especially people who work outside, especially laborers," Joe said. "But it could be homeowners, trying to attend to their landscaping. Due to the drought, they are not prepared."
Joe said, "It's important to wear light colors, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. We still see people with symptoms nausea, dizziness, dehydration. Some have altered mental status."
Hydration can play a role injury prevention and healing, said Gordon Levine, exercise specialist at the Somerville-based Boston Sports Medicine.
Boston Sports Medicine offers physical therapy and related services at locations inBrookline, Swampscott, Watertown, and Wilmington.
More: In Massachusetts, high temperatures means extra caution for all generations
"If someone is chronically dehydrated, that can effect their ability to heal from an injury, or conditions such as arthritis. Someone with arthritis might feel more pain."
Levine said, "Muscles might be stiff. It can both slow down the healing process, as well as exacerbate painful symptoms."
A larger person, or person doing increased activity, is going to need more, Levine said.
Water is important, but so is the movement of electrolytes minerals in the blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge.
"They help joints and muscles communicate," Levine said. "If you are just replacing the water in your body, you may be hydrated, but you are still at risk of non-optimal function."
Sports drinks such as Gatorade can help, but Levine urged avoiding sports drinks that are high in sugar. Well-planned snacks and meals can also keep electrolytes at a good level, Levine said.
Gregory Wellenius, professor of environmental health at Boston University School of Public Health,said, "The body has mechanisms to retain or dissipate heat."
When things get too hot, Wellenius said, "A lot of it is through sweating, and diverting more flood flow to the skin. This has consequences for the cardiovascular system, and consequences for other areas of the body."
Wellenius said, "You start to see the symptoms consistent with dehydration heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be deadly if you don't get medical attention on time."
Wellenius added,"People don't realize how much water they are losing through sweating or evaporations...we have this image of elderly individuals being at high risk, and I think that's true, but I think that is too narrow a view," Wellenius said.
Heat and dehydration can also affect the central nervous system, including brain function and stress response.
Wellenius co-authored a study, published in February in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which suggests that during extreme heat, more people go to the emergency room seeking mental health care.
Heat may impair the brain's ability to perform tasks such as mental arithmetic, the ability to drive a vehicle safely, and overall judgement.
Wellenius said heat can also add to the stresses of every day life. "It affects markers of brain health, such as anxiety and depression."
Wellenius said here in Massachusetts, much of our architecture hasn't been planned for life in hot weather, but instead for standing up to the traditionally unforgiving New England winter.
More: State law: When are you protected from utility shutoff?
State law prohibits utility shutoff from Nov. 15-Marh 15 if utility service is needed for heat. However, Wellenius noted there is no similar provision during hot summer months.
For places without air condition, or other protections from heat, such as parks and shade trees, Welleniu said the temperature doesn't have to trigger a heat advisory to create a problem. "It's also the days that are not as extreme."
View original post here:
Massachusetts experts offer tips to avoid dehydration, stay healthy - Wicked Local
