Friday, August 19, 2011

Dehydration Signs and Symptoms

As we head into the shouldering summer seasons we wanted to remind everyone that although it may be getting cooler outside, the importance of drinking water and keeping yourself hydrated is still extremely high. Here are a few signs and symptoms to look out for in yourself and the people around you when your riding:

Mild to moderate dehydration will likely cause:
  • Dry, sticky mouth
  • Sleepiness or tiredness — children are likely to be less active than usual
  • Thirst
  • Decreased urine output — no wet diapers for three hours for infants and eight hours or more without urination for older children and teens
  • Few or no tears when crying
  • Dry skin
  • Headache
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness

Severe dehydration may result in:
  • Extreme thirst
  • Extreme fussiness or sleepiness in infants and children; irritability and confusion in adults
  • Very dry mouth, skin and mucous membranes
  • Lack of sweating
  • Little or no urination — any urine that is produced will be dark yellow or amber
  • Sunken eyes
  • Shriveled and dry skin that lacks elasticity and doesn't "bounce back" when pinched into a fold
  • In infants, sunken fontanels — the soft spots on the top of a baby's head
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Rapid breathing
  • No tears when crying
  • Fever
  • In the most serious cases, delirium or unconsciousness
(http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dehydration/DS00561/DSECTION=symptoms)

The easiest way to treat dehydration is to never let yourself get to that point. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day--if your urine is clear chances are your keeping yourself hydrated.


Here are a few other websites where you can read up on more about the causes and treatment for dehydration.

http://www.medicinenet.com/dehydration/article.htm
http://www.symptomsofdehydration.com/
http://dehydration.net/2011/preventing-dehydration-in-young-athletes/ <----good information about young athletes



1 comment:

  1. Most of the time in winter people generally reduce drinking the amount of water as they not feel thirsty but this may be dangerous as the body may require fluid but these reduction of fluid in body may cause dehydration.
    Dehydration Symptom

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