Staying hydrated is usually a concern in warm weather when issues like heat exhaustion are more common. However, staying hydrated is important year round for your overall health. Not only will it help you feel energized, but it will also help prepare your body for the cold and flu season. Stay hydrated this fall with these hydration tips and tricks.
The Impact of Hydration on Overall Health
You’ve heard that staying hydrated is important a million times, especially when it’s hot out, but why is it so important? Keeping your body hydrated is important because proper hydration aids in the functionality of your body in many different ways. From keeping your organs functioning correctly, to lubricating your joints and delivering vital nutrients to your cells so that they can fight off disease, water is a crucial part of your body.
More than half of our body is made up of water - 60% to be exact. Without proper hydration, your body will begin rationing water and this may result in certain organs and systems not receiving the amount needed to function properly. You may not feel it immediately, but your immune system will slowly weaken and you will feel fatigued and sometimes can get sick.
Dangers of Dehydration
The main risk with dehydration is heat stroke, as the water in your body helps regulate your body temperature, you could overheat and collapse. However, in the fall when temperatures are not as high, there are still dangers associated with dehydration.
Kidney complications are a common result of chronic dehydration which can result in painful kidney stones and Urinary Tract Infections. Similarly, severe dehydration can cause seizures. Common mild effects of dehydration also include confusion, dizzy spells and fatigue.
Without proper hydration, your body loses its ability to function properly over time. These effects often happen slowly and you may not notice that you’re dehydrated at first which is why it is important to be conscious about how much water you’re drinking daily. It is important to seek medical attention at urgent care if you think you may be experiencing symptoms of severe dehydration for treatment.
Hydration Tips & Tricks
There's many different guidelines available for proper water consumption. How much water your body needs can depend greatly on factors such as how active you are. Generally, it is advised that a good guideline to ensure you’re drinking at least half of an ounce of water per pound of body weight. You should speak to your medical provider about how much water you specifically should intake daily based on your habits and overall health. Although rare, drinking too much water can cause a deadly condition called water poisoning.
Here are some tips for staying hydrated this fall:
- Carry a water bottle
- Increase fresh fruit and vegetable intake
- Eat foods that contain water such as soups
- Be cautious of sodium intake
- Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake
- Rehydrate with electrolytes after exercise
Although there are many different ways to increase your water intake, the easiest way is to be conscious of your drinking habits so that you can hold yourself accountable and ensure that you’re drinking enough water daily. With these steps, it is easy to ensure that you’re getting sufficient water each day.
Get Dehydration Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook
In the fall, it may not be as easy to remember to stay hydrated. However, with some easy tips and tricks, staying hydrated in the fall is easy to achieve. If you’re experiencing symptoms of dehydration, the medical team at AFC Urgent CareBound Brook is here to help provide quick treatment to ensure you’re feeling your best. You can learn more about our clinic and walk-in services we offer at our center.
We do not require appointments and offer short wait times. Walk in today for quick and easy medical care. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer a discounted self payment option to patients paying out of pocket for their care. If you have questions about the services we provide, call today to speak to a medical professional at (732) 469-3627.
