Alcohol and the Sun: A Look at What Can Happen When You Mix the Two

Ball games, picnics, and outdoor family reunions all seem like the perfect place for the men to enjoy a beer or the women a wine cooler. The problem with this is a lot of people don't realize what they are doing to their bodies when they mix these drinks with the hot summer sun.

Very simply put, alcohol dehydrates your body. If alcohol is all you are drinking and you are out on a hot, sunny day, it's easy to see why the combination can be dangerous. A dehydrated body is more prone to heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion can cause a person to have a high body temperature, be dizzy, or even go unconscious. Even worse, heat exhaustion that is not immediately taken care of can lead to a heat stroke. During a heat stroke, the person generally experiences a spike in body temperature that can lead to coma.

Unfortunately, these illnesses can materialize so quickly that the person may not even have a chance to realize they are dehydrated. Add that to the fact that you are drinking a cold drink which is making you feel like you are hydrating your body and it's easy to see how the symptoms could be temporarily missed. The number one important thing is going to be prevention.

If you can pass on the alcoholic beverages, then that is going to be your best course of action. However, everybody loves a good time and some believe alcohol can make it better. There's nothing wrong with that, but if your good time is going to be in the sun, use a little precaution. Drinking water is going to be the best way to prevent dehydration due to alcohol. Although you may be enjoying your beer, keep sipping water on the side to make sure your body stays as hydrated as it needs. Not a fan of water? Try drinking noncarbonated drinks without caffeine. Pass on the soda. It's not going to properly hydrate you enough to negate the dehydrating effects of the alcohol. If you can't drink water, opt instead for juice or a sports drink.

Having an alcoholic drink outside in the summer doesn't have to pose health risks as long as you take precautions. Keep in mind that alcohol dehydrates and even though you are quenching that thirst, your body is losing water. Replenish that and you will be fine. Staying safe is the best way to have a good time.