Symptoms & Natural Remedies to Avoid Dehydration This Summer

During the long hot summer days we often forget just how easy it is to become dehydrated. Making sure that you know how to spot the warning signs ahead of time can actually save your life. The hustle & bustle of our busy lives means that we can often forget to hydrate ourselves. Below you will find tips to natural hydr ation and learn about the warning signs of dehydration to better protect yourself in the future.

Tips to Healthy Hydration:

Avoid soda and other carbonated beverages: The truth is when we are thirsty we often grab the first thing that tastes good to us. The best thing to grab is water or if you are an athlete something with the right amount of added electrolytes. Our bodies are made up of 73% water which means that for all the water we sweat away whether it's in sport or just being hot we need to replace.

Avoid sodium: Sodium is often a mineral that absorbs fluid. So it is best to take in a reasonable amount and avoid drinking beverages with added sodium.

Consume additional electrolytes: For those of you who don't know electrolytes aid in the stimulation and contraction of your bodies muscles which is ideal for an athlete. However, as with anything, if they are used with modesty they can help, but when you are overdoing it than it can cause a lot of damage.

Pay attention to warning signs: Check the signs your body gives on a day to day basis and hydrate of you feel in the least bit dehydrated. If you know its been too hot recently, or that you are prone to get dehydrated its wise to hydrate yourself anyway.

Below are some signs of dehydration to help you get started:

Symptoms Below 10% dehydration-

Thirst

Skin Flushing

Loss of Appetite

Dark Colored Urine

Fatigue

Weakness (in extremities)

Heat Rush

Symptoms for Severe Dehydration above 10%

Vomiting

Muscle Spams

Confusion

Chest & Abdominal pain

Difficulty Breathing

Seizures

For those of you who are interested in hearing check out the mayo clinic. The most important step to remember is to drink plenty of water, typically 5-8 glasses daily. This will keep you safe for your next game, outing, etc..While most of us think that we are supposed to drink 8oz of water 8 times a day, this can be true but it generally goes by weight. Remember hydrating is just as important as training if you want to win!