What is dehydration?

Dehydration is simply a lack of enough water and electrolytes in the body.

Causes of Dehydration

It can be caused by water loss or by an inadequate water intake.

Water loss can be due to excessive physical activity, sweating due to heat, vomiting, or even diarrhea.

Dehydration can also occur due to alcohol consumption and caffeine consumption both of which cause water as well as vital nutrients and salts to be flushed from the system.

Another cause of dehydration is due to some prescriptions.. When taking prescription medications, necessary care needs to be taken to make sure that this is prevented.

Any sport or exercise that causes one to sweat can cause dehydration if it lasts long enough, is strenuous enough or is accompanied by either hot weather or too much clothing. Dehydration is even present when its cold out and you are involved in sport like skiing, snowboarding or running. Due to the cold you don't notice how much fluids your body is losing.

Symptoms of Dehydration

The usual first symptom on dehydration is thirst. When the body is dehydrated it can give the perception of hunger, when in fact, it is actually in need of hydration.

As a person becomes more dehydrated - irrespective of the cause - symptoms include dry mouth, weakness, dry skin, nausea, headaches, dizziness and tiredness.

Dehydration and Electolytes: What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are minerals, such as potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium. They are dissolved in the body’s fluids Electrolytes affect the movement of substances between body fluids and tissues, and are crucial for normal function and metabolism. ...Electrolytes can also help regulate your body’s acid-base balance

Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is the commonest form of dehydration.

Heat exhaustion occurs when your body gets too hot. . Its symptoms are profuse sweating, dizziness and weakness, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, flushing of the skin, headaches, muscle cramps and extreme fatigue.

An example of a warning sign is: when you have been working in your garden, stand up, are woozy and almost pass out. Another example is the “oh, I’m so tired, I just have to lie down and take a nap” feeling that comes over you after a morning on the Little League bleachers. It could be as subtle as a slight headache after a day at the beach.

The problem with dehydration and heat exhaustion is caused by the depletion of fluid, salt, potassium and electrolytes in the body - the electrolytes.

When you sweat, you’re losing water, salt (sodium), potassium and other minerals from your body.

Water & Electrolytes

So what is “enough water”? You should be drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water a day, For example, if you weight 160 pounds, drink 80 ounces of water, or 10-8 oz. Glasses.

The cells need to be hydrated and you need to drink water. If you want to drink an “energy” drink, then stay away from the drinks that are high in sugar content. There are some “better” energy drinks that can be found in your local health food store, but that’s not a substitute for good water.

Along with the water, you need to have, salt, potassium and cell salts. These are the components that are necessary to drive the water into the cells instead of straight into the toilet.

Electrolyte drinks are useful in overcoming dehydration and is effective for body re-hydration after exercise. It helps promote a healthy lifestyle – at any age.

RECOMMENDATION:

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This is Chris from McVitamins, I first tried it at a baseball game where I was sitting in the sun for hours. it made a big difference in how I felt at the game and felt great afterwards, not tired, lots of energy. We wish we could have shared it with the players.

It is called Kool Off.- for Relief from the symptoms of heat exhaustion, and mineral depletion due to dehydration.

For dehydration due to heat, due to working outdoors, due to participation in sports.

You can read about it here Kool Off.

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We have used our best judgment in compiling this information. The Food and Drug Administration may not have evaluated the information presented. Any reference to a specific product is for your information only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease