Whether you’re outside working or recreating, health experts at Lee Memorial Health System say it’s important to stay hydrated.
According to Dr. Gary Goforth, primary care physician with Lee Memorial Health System, dehydration starts when your body loses more fluid than its taking in. “You don’t want to wait until you’re very, very thirsty because you’re already behind. Dehydration is actually something that has a more significant impact acutely. When you’re in the sun we recommend one and half liters or quarts per hour.”
He says waiting too long to quench your thirst could cause a list of immediate problems. “When you get dehydrated, the body actually tries to hang on to the fluids. You’ll see a decrease in the amount of urination. The kidneys also concentrate the urine, so the urine will be very, very dark” said Dr. Goforth.
A person may also feel weak and become dizzy. “If somebody is dehydrated they’re going to have dry mouth and they’re going to feel fatigue, listless” said Dr. Goforth.
Severe dehydration could lead to fainting, even heatstroke. If you notice the signs, Dr. Goforth recommends getting out of the heat and drinking cold water.
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Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.
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