Dehydration – Staying Healthy Tips from Douglasville Personal Trainer, Dave Hansey
Many people only think of hydration when it is very hot. Dehydration is an issue for ALL members of your family. It is also an issue for many people ALL YEAR LONG. Not drinking enough fluids can lead to chronic dehydration. Many people who are dehydrated eat instead of drink because they do not recognize when they are thirsty. This can lead to overeating.
Many children participating in sports do not receive ANY fluids. They should be encouraged to drink before, during and after exercise. Thirst is not a good indicator for many children, so you should stress that they have fluids. Dizziness from dehydration is a serious symptom. You should seek medical attention if you are dehydrated to this point.
Dehydration can also be a symptom of diabetes so discuss any symptoms of dehydration with your doctor. He can determine if you need further testing. He can also give you information on preventing it again in the future.
For athletes, performance and power are lost when you are dehydrated. This is common sense. Your body is going to put its energy into protecting its vital systems. Marathon runners condition themselves on their fluid requirements because they know their performance is affected.
