​Don’t Miss these Simple Signs of Dehydration

Summertime is a much-anticipated season, especially for those of us who enjoy getting outside and staying as active as possible. Despite its “lazy days” reputation, summertime can prove strenuous. Increased activities and chances to embark on summer adventures can take their toll, if not properly planned for, in advance. The result is dehydration, which can be easily avoided by bearing the following tips in mind…

Here’s the Deal with Dehydration

Just like the ocean, dehydration comes in waves. The first one is mild and easy enough to identify: it's the effect of being thirsty. That's right, as soon as you are thirsty you are mildly dehydrated.

The second wave is moderate, and in some cases the effects of moderate dehydration can be reversed by orally taking in fluids. In a moderately dehydrated state, your symptoms are more severe. But how severe do they need to be before you are actually considered to be suffering from a severe state of dehydration?

Simply put, your body starts to shut down and you will need attention from a medical professional. In most cases a patient experiencing severe dehydration will be put on intravenous fluids and kept for observation until they are rehydrated to a healthy level.

Summer may bring on the thirst faster, however you can become dehydrated any time of year and through any weather condition!

Some common causes of dehydration include excessive heat exposure, prolonged physical activity, and illness -- all of which can result in an overall lack of fluids. Most of these can be resolved by taking some time in the shade with an ice cold glass of water!

Water can solve it all!

Now that we know some facts, what does dehydration actually look like?

Dehydration 101

There are many symptoms that can result from dehydration and they range from mild to severe; for example, cramps, exhaustion, kidney problems, seizures, or loss of consciousness are linked as potential signs of dehydration. Even bad breath can be a hint that your body needs proper hydration.

You Know You’re Dehydrated if You Feel…

Parched!

Picture this, a diligent worker is 5 hours into their job. At this point, no matter if the job requires walking around, or sitting at a desk, the person is bound to be thirsty. It’s fair to say that if you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

Dehydration affects everyone from desk jockeys to top athletes -- (Yes, You!) Need a Race Hydration Plan.

Keeping a water bottle handy -- at your desk, in the car, on the treadmill, wherever -- might help you remember to take sips regularly before you feel the actual need to do so. For those of you who struggle to sip because of water’s tasteless nature, try infusing yours with fresh fruit or even a few drops of lemon juice.

Exhausted.

When we are tired, the first thought may not be to reach for water. However, maybe it should be. Picture this: you are in a class, seminar or workshop, struggling to pay attention due to your fatigue. We have all been there and know that terrible feeling of fighting to keep your eyes open. The solution may be as simple as taking a few swigs of cool water.

Dry.

Dryness of the mouth, commonly dubbed “cottonmouth,” is uncomfortable. What separates dryness from thirst is that with dryness, some people will also experience dryness of the eyes as well. This is more common in children but is still a good sign to look out for.

You may experience dryness when you wake up, after strenuous activities, or after an extended amount of time speaking. Take this feeling seriously in order to end the dehydration and replenish what your body is looking for!

Now that we know the tells, what is the best way to fight dehydration?

The Best Hints to Stay Hydrated

Your best defense against dehydration is to hydrate early and often. In other words, don’t wait until you're thirsty to reach for your water bottle. Keep hydration close at hand so the awful dry feeling stays far from you!

Other ways to win the battle AND the war is to eat water rich foods such as cucumbers, watermelon, and strawberries. These three standout; however, many fruits and vegetables have a high water content.

Another tip is to stay indoors or seek shade between the hours of 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., when the sun is at its strongest. Those UV rays can increase your chances of feeling sluggish and dehydrated.

Here at IonLoop, we want you to stay safe in all your activities and that means staying hydrated. It also means protecting yourself against the harmful effects of positive ions. Our ionic bracelets and magnetic bracelets can help shield you against the sun’s UV rays, while providing you with a steady source of negative ions.