Get ready for summer in the Harrisburg area, because it’s going to get hot sooner rather than later. And when the thermometer soars, you need to have some H2O at the ready because the last thing you want is to become dehydrated.
The big question, of course, is how much water you need to stay healthy, especially in hotter weather. Generally speaking, you should drink at least eight 8-ounce cups of water a day; however, when exposed to the heat, you should drink even more. Ironically, your body won’t let you know when it’s time to take a sip of water. In fact, by the time you feel thirsty, you’re likely to be pretty doggone dehydrated.
The best advice is to drink throughout the day, and to avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. If you can’t give up your coffee or mojito, compensate by drinking an equal amount of water. (That way, you won’t become dehydrated by the non-water beverage.)
Make sure kiddos in your household are also following this rule. Even if they’re playing and seem to be fine, check in on them and give them water frequently. They may not realize they need the water until it’s too late.
Speaking of being “too late”, it’s important to be able to recognize the warning signs of dehydration. These include: fatigue, vomiting, lightheadedness, dark urine, flushed skin, loss of appetite, stumbling, muscle spasms, numb skin and, in extreme cases, delirium.
Our suggestion? Make water readily available all day, every day, and you won’t have to worry if you’re getting too little of the cool stuff!
