Did you know that 60% of your body is water? During the summer months, it is important to drink plenty of water. You should aim to drink half your body weight (lbs) in ounces. So if you weigh 120 pounds, you should drink at least 60 ounces of water per day. If you are active, exercising, and sweating, you should drink even more. Water helps transport substances and nutrients throughout the body, helps regulate your body temperature and metabolism, flushes out toxins, hydrates skin, and lubricates joints. When you are dehydrated, you may notice brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, and constipation. If you are well hydrated, you should be urinating every 1.5-2 hours and have clear urine (not amber). Young children and elderly are more prone to dehydration and heat stroke.
Signs of heat stroke include a throbbing headache, dizziness, light-headedness, lack of sweating, flushed skin (red, hot and dry) hot, muscle cramps and weakness, nausea and vomiting, fast heartbeat, and rapid, shallow breathing.
