Despite the cold weather, dehydration hospitalizations are extremely frequent during the winter months. It may initially seem counter-intuitive, considering the frigid temperatures, until you remember how dry the air is during winter. The cold weather also makes it difficult for people to pick up on the symptoms of dehydration, seeing as their mind’s consumed by the overbearingly cool temperatures.

It’s easy for the body to recognize it’s dehydrated during the summer months, since the heat and humidity blatantly exhausts us, which tips off the mind letting it know it needs water. The obviousness of dehydration’s symptoms are significantly subdued throughout the winter, causing there to be fatalities each winter as a result. Outdoor winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, shoveling and playing hockey are extremely perilous if water isn’t consumed regularly. While the toll dehydration puts on the body can lead to death, being light-headed as a result of dehydration can lead to a number of different injuries. This is why it is incredibly important that you do not operate a vehicle or any other dangerous machinery while dehydrated, as it severely impairs your motor functions.

Dehydration’s symptoms include:

• Severe Headache
• Dry Mouth
• Dizziness
• Constipation or Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Sunken Eyes
• Intense Fever
• Deliriousness

If you are experiencing dehydration, visit us at AFC Urgent Care North Andover, where our team of board-certified Providers will be more than happy to accommodate you. Our staff can diagnose and monitor your dehydration and additionally treat it by administer you re-hydration fluids. If you would wish to speak with one of our medical professionals, call us at 978-470-0800.

We look forward to helping you surmount the treacherous perils of winter!