Are you drinking enough water? Most adults do not – especially during the cooler weather months.
Did you know that use of a heater in the winter months can accelerate water loss? The drier indoor environment is not the only challenge; When the weather is colder, your body will excrete more urine and without warmer weather to make you realize you are thirsty, you may forget to replenish these lost liquids.
Couple the environmental changes with medication, illness, mobility issues and other health conditions, and dehydration can become a bigger problem than you might realize.
Here are just a few symptoms of dehydration:
- Extremely dry skin
- Fatigue
- Not using the bathroom
- Dark urine
- Dizziness
- Fast heart rate
- Confusion
Having enough fluid in your body is important for literally every bodily function and not getting enough can lead to catastrophic health issues. Dehydration can cause urinary and kidney problems, seizures, swelling of the brain and even death.
Experts agree that most people need to drink at least one eight-ounce cup of water per every 20 pounds of body weight each day and as we age, our water content decreases, and we need to replenish it more frequently. Don’t like plain water? There are many other options to stay hydrated including hot beverages such as herbal tea, soup, popsicles, milkshakes, and sports drinks. Caffeinated beverages can contribute to dehydration and should be avoided.
For more information and tips about staying hydrated, visit: https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-to-stay-hydrated-for-better-health.
