Dr. Jim Surrell, Journal columnist

As we are now starting into our wonderful Upper Peninsula summer season, let me again review the many health benefits of maintaining proper hydration in our body. It is very important that we avoid any dehydration by drinking enough healthy fluids every day.

Let us first review the medical definition of dehydration. Human dehydration is generally defined as a potentially harmful reduction in the amount of water in the body, due to either not taking in enough water and fluids, or due to an excessive loss of body water. Recall that our human body is approximately 60% water, and this water is essential for life and for us to stay healthy.

The most common symptom of mild dehydration is feeling thirsty. Dehydration takes place when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs for normal body functions. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much of your body’s fluid is lost and not replaced. Severe dehydration may even become a life-threatening emergency.

You can become dehydrated if you do not consume enough water or fluids on a daily basis. Your body may lose a lot of fluid from any of the following. Exercising, fever, vomiting or  “https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003126.htm” diarrhea, “https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003146.htm” urinating too much, possibly from uncontrolled diabetes, or as a side effect from medications, or most commonly, from just not drinking enough fluids. One can also become dehydrated from sweating too much, perhaps from exercising, from physical work activity, or from being active outside in hot weather. We all need to remember to drink enough fluid to maintain our normal amount of body water, and to replace any excess lost fluids every day.

Following are the most common signs and symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration. Feeling very thirsty, a dry or sticky mouth, not urinating as much as one normally does, slightly dark or yellow appearing urine, dry cool skin, unexplained headache, and/or muscle cramps. If hydration becomes severe, one may feel dizziness or lightheadedness, a rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, rapid breathing, severe headache, and very low energy.

It is very important to prevent dehydration by taking in enough fluid. Remember that if you feel thirsty, your body may be telling you that you are dehydrated. Following are some recommendations to prevent dehydration. Drink some fluids with every meal, and off and on throughout the day. Your fluids may be in the form of water, coffee, tea, juice, or in sport drinks, such as Powerade Zero or Gatorade Zero. These sport drinks give us fluid and also help replace our needed electrolytes that may be at low levels due to the dehydration. Of course, if you are on a fluid restriction from your health care provider, discuss any dehydration with your health provider before increasing your fluid intake.

If the dehydration is from diarrhea, the cause of the diarrhea must be promptly determined and fixed. It may be due to illness, or it may be from an over-the-counter or prescribed medication, or from a food intolerance. Be certain to discuss any and all persistent diarrhea with your health care provider without delay to prevent dehydration.

For any signs and symptoms of severe dehydration, one needs to see a health care provider without delay. This may need a same day visit with one’s health care provider, or a visit to the emergency department. With severe dehydration, a person may need to be promptly rehydrated with IV fluids, and the cause of the dehydration needs to be determined, to prevent future episodes of dehydration.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of the best-selling SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet book and his new Joke Book, entitled “Laughter Is Good Medicine”. Dr. Jim’s website is sosdietbook.com.