Summer will soon be here and in the Washington, D.C. area that means lots of hot, humid weather.
Along with sunshine and swimming pools, summertime comes with its own set of potential health hazards. Dehydration is a big threat that can sneak up on people during hot temperatures of summer. But do you know what you’re looking for when it comes to signs of dehydration?
Keep reading to learn more and remember: Medics USA has two urgent care clinics ready to serve you, day or night, in the Washington D.C. area.
Hydration Keeps Your Body Happy!
Your body is over 70 percent water, and your muscles and organs need a constantly supply of hydration in order to continue functioning properly. When you’re splashing around in the pool or hiking with friends, it can be easy to forget this need for hydration. When you fail to give your body the water it needs, the following symptoms will manifest themselves.
5 Symptoms Of Dehydration To Watch For
- Bad Breath – When you’re dehydrated, your mouth, lips, and tongue often feel dry and sticky. If you ignore these early signs of thirst, the next stage is halitosis. This occurs because your body is unable to produce a sufficient amount of saliva, which typically keeps bad breath bacteria at bay.
- Muscle Cramps – If you’re participating in strenuous exercise in hot climates, like hiking, playing sports, or even just doing yard work, your muscles will start to heat up. Without proper hydration, your muscles won’t be able to rely on its usual tactics for cooling down, and they may develop severe, painful cramps that will only go away once you’re re-hydrated.
- Fever & Chills – During episodes of severe dehydration, people have been known to experience flu-like symptoms including fever and chills. Fevers triggered by dehydration can be especially dangerous, so be sure to seek immediate medical help from a Medics USA urgent care clinic if your fever rises over 101°F.
- Craving Sweet Foods – This is a symptom of dehydration that almost no one knows about. “When you’re dehydrated, it can be difficult for some nutrients and organs like the liver which use water to release some glycogens and other components of your energy stores, so you can actually get cravings for food,” John Higgins, MD,associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Texas in Houston, and chief of cardiology at Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, told Healthline.com. “While you can crave anything from chocolate to a salty snack, cravings for sweets are more common because your body may be experiencing difficulty with glycogen production,” he continued.
- Headaches – Another very common symptom of early dehydration is a headache. Inside your skull, your brain is protected by a sack of fluid. When you’re dehydrated, this sack isn’t as full as it should be. This allows your brain to press up against areas of your skull, causing pain we interpret as a headache.
Whether you’re feeling woozy because of dehydration or have a minor injury that you need taken care of right away, the Medics USA urgent care clinics are always ready to help! Schedule your appointment right away.