How to stay hydrated during the hot summer months
Summer is in full swing and we're all spending more time outside these days. Whether it's going for a walk or enjoying a backyard cook-out with friends and family, soaking up the sun is on everyone's agenda.
As temperatures begin to climb, keeping your body hydrated is more important than ever, especially for seniors. Dehydration diminishes your body's ability to regulate temperature; thus, your risk of developing a heat-related illness intensifies. Older adults are much more affected by summer heat, so heat illnesses are of particular concern for seniors.
Visiting Angels Knoxville understands that your senior loved one may need extra attention during the hot summer months. To help, our professional caregivers can develop a personalized care plan to ensure that your loved one stays hydrated and protected against heat-related illnesses.
Why Are Seniors More Prone to Heat-Related Illnesses?
As we age, it's more challenging for our bodies to regulate temperature. Older adults don't sweat as much as younger adults, which can lead to problems. Sweating is a vital part of heat regulation in the body. Seniors also store fat differently from young adults, which adds further complications to regulating their body heat. As temperatures rise, so does body heat which leads to a high risk of heatstroke.
It's imperative to stay hydrated to protect the body against dehydration and other heat-related illnesses. Dehydration means that the body does not have enough water, which affects its ability to function normally. Seniors have a more difficult time holding water in their bodies and have less ability to feel thirsty.
It's essential to understand the signs of dehydration and prevent it from happening to you or an aging loved one.
Signs of dehydration
Signs of dehydration can be subtle at first and you may not notice them until it's too late. It's important to listen to your body and what it's telling you, even more so when being exposed to abnormal heat. There are two types of dehydration, mild/moderate and severe.
Signs of mild dehydration include:
- dizziness
- confusion
- less urination
- dark-colored urine
- dry mouth
- rapid heartbeat
- extreme fatigue
- muscle cramps
- headache
- feeling thirsty
- feeling lightheaded
Signs of severe dehydration include:
- severe cramping in the limbs
- low blood pressure
- no elasticity in skin, wrinkles
- bloated stomach
- breathing faster than normal
- dry and sunken eyes, little to no tears
- convulsions
Keep in mind these are common symptoms, but the odds of you experiencing them all are unlikely. It's best to do something the moment you notice one of the symptoms above. Visiting Angels Knoxville recommends keeping water nearby and drinking it frequently to prevent dehydration from occurring. If you're unsure of the amount of water intake you should have daily, a good rule of thumb is to take one-third of your body weight in pounds and drink the equivalent number of ounces of water daily.
Drinking enough water is just one of many ways to stay hydrated this summer. Below we've outlined other great ways to keep the body hydrated.
How to prevent dehydration
- Eat water-based foods such as melons, pineapples, cucumbers, watermelon, oranges, and celery. These foods will leave you feeling nice and refreshed.
- Stay away from salty foods. Salt drains the body of moisture and will work against efforts you're making to hydrate yourself.
- Avoid sugary drinks such as pop, alcohol, and coffee. Their diuretic effect will dehydrate you quickly.
- Drink a sports drink if you notice early signs of dehydration. This will help replenish water and electrolytes in the body.
Overall, getting an adequate amount of water daily and being mindful of what your body is saying will prevent dehydration from setting in and will keep the body hydrated.
How Visiting Angels Can Help
Visiting Angels Knoxville wants seniors to enjoy the summer season the best way they can. Staying hydrated will ensure our clients are healthy and able to do all the activities they love. Our caregivers will work with you, and your senior loved, to develop a plan to keep them hydrated and safe this summer. If you are interested in learning how a Visiting Angels Knoxville home caregiver can assist your loved one, please visit our website or give us a call at 865-531-4833.