Heat and Hydration

One of the most concerning things about the summer is the heat. The very young and the elderly are especially sensitive to changes in temperature, and heat can be just as dangerous as extreme cold to their health. Everyone, regardless of age, needs to be mindful of how much water they drink at any given time. This is because without the proper hydration, you can become extremely sick and the results can be deadly if not treated correctly.
We all grew up hearing that we should drink eight cups of water every day. According to The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, however, the actual amount is considerably higher. Women should be getting around 11.5 cups of water a day into their systems and men should have about 15.5. This means that women should have a daily water intake of over 2.5 liters each day and men over 3.5. That’s considerably more water than I ever heard when I was younger and many people haven’t heard these updated numbers either. While your daily fluid intake is all of the water absorbed each day through drinking and eating, this is still a relatively high number for many of us. It can be hard to reach that level, especially if we aren’t paying attention.
If you are concerned about making sure you are getting enough water, there are apps that you can use to track your daily water intake. This is especially beneficial to people with medical disorders or situations like pregnancy that require you to drink even more than the average recommended daily intake. If you don’t have a smart phone, or simply don’t want to download another app, then it is a good idea to keep a journal at least until you get used to drinking as much water as you should be having.
While it is always important to keep yourself hydrated, it is arguably even more important to do so during the summer. You can become dehydrated much faster in warmer temperatures and this can be dangerous for people of all ages. Be sure that if you’re going to be outside to take a water bottle with you, preferably with some ice to help keep it cold. You may have to use the bathroom a few more times than you’re used to, but it is well “Wirth” it to know that you are healthy!