Summer is time for beach vacations, long days on the lake, bike rides, hikes – you name it. Summer is time for outdoor activity and lots of fun. But Summer also results in the highest incidence of dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. All of these conditions are easy to prevent, but are sometimes hard to spot when symptoms first appear.

So let’s get a good understanding of what each of the heat-induced illnesses are, and how to treat and prevent them.

Dehydration . . .
Dehydration is what happens when you don’t get enough fluid into your body to make up for normal day-to-day fluid loss, sweating, and dilation of the blood vessels near the skin. You may have heard some people say that if “you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.” That is a true statement, however, there are varying levels of dehydration. Thirst is an initial symptom of dehydration and you should attend to your thirst as soon as you experience it.

Dehydration shares symptoms with many other conditions, but the most obvious indicator is rapid weight loss. Several pounds of weight lost in a few days may be caused by dehydration. Other symptoms include increasing thirst, dry mouth, weakness or lightheadedness, dark urine, decrease in urination, irritability, fatigue and generally feeling hot. If left untreated, severe dehydration can lead to changes in the body’s chemistry, kidney failure and can be life-threatening.

Children and the elderly are more likely to get dehydrated and as less likely to understand and communicate that they may be dehydrated. Parents should be aware of dry mouth, lack of tears, reduction in urination and skin that stays compressed when pinched. Other illnesses also cause dehydration, especially if diarrhea or vomiting are present.

We lose a certain amount of fluid each day from normal living, breathing, digesting of food and all the functions that the body performs. On a typical day, the average person requires at least four 8 oz. glasses of water. But other factors increase the need for water. Your body requires more water during the Summer months even if you never go outside to play. Add exercise to the mix and you need even more. An active person requires 8-12 8 oz. glasses of water per day.

How to Treat Dehydration
The best way to treat dehydration it to prevent it in the first place. When you notice early symptoms of dehydration, be sure to drink plenty of water and/or sports drinks like Gatorade to replace lost electrolytes. The worst thing you can do is consume caffeinated beverages or alcohol. They increase the rate at which water is lost from the body. Also sugary juices and sodas are not absorbed as rapidly by the body because they typically contain more than 8% carbohydrates.

If dehydration is severe, you may require intravenous (IV) fluid replacement. Many times dehydration can occur in remote places without quick access to a health care facility. In those cases, oral fluid replacement is the only choice, however, back in the 1960’s the World Health Organization developed a solution that saved many people’s lives who did not have quick access to health care. The combination of ingredients is what allows the body to absorb the liquid faster. It consists of 1 Quart Water, 1 Cup Orange Juice, 4 Tablespoons Sugar, 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder and ¾ Teaspoon Table Salt. Although we don’t recommend sugary drinks to rehydrate, the combination of sugar with other ingredients promotes absorption of the salt and water. Even patients who are vomiting and nauseas can sip this solution.

Your best bet is to see your doctor or go to the Emergency Room if necessary.

Heat Stroke & Exhaustion
Often times dehydration is accompanied by either heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Most heat illnesses begin with painful cramping of the abdominal muscles, arms or legs.

Heat Exhaustion
When someone moves toward heat exhaustion, they experience profuse sweating, headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, chills, weakness, excessive thirst, problems with vision and sometimes unconsciousness. Heat exhaustion is not life-threatening, but requires immediate attention because it can lead to heat stroke.

A person suffering from heat exhaustion should move to a cool place, apply cool, wet towels and drink plenty of fluids (water and sports drinks). You should not participate in outdoor activities for the remainder of the day.

Heat Stroke
If not recognized with the early signals, heat exhaustion can turn to a more life-threatening heat stroke. With heat stroke, the body temperature can raise to104 degrees or higher. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, seizures, disorientation, hot, dry skin, unconsciousness, shortness of breath, etc. Sweating typically stops at the heat stoke stage and the body begins to shut down. Heat stroke is a state of emergency, and victims should be taken immediately to the ER where they will be given intravenous fluids, and packed with ice. If you are transporting someone to the emergency room or waiting for an ambulance, remove clothing and place ice bags on the neck, under armpits and in the groin areas. Also, try to get them to drink, and fan and spray them with cool water.

Remember, the best possible treatment for any heat-induced illness is prevention, but watch for those early warning signs to keep you and your family safe and healthy.