Staying Hydrated for Your Health

In the winter when the temperatures begin to drop, it can be easy for us to unwittingly steer away from getting the required daily water intake, and this can have a direct impact on our general health and well-being. Did you know?
Symptoms of mild or moderate dehydration may include:
• Thirst
• Dry or sticky mouth or mucus membranes
• Reduced urination/peeing
• Dark yellow urine/pee
• Dry/flaky, cool, or itchy skin
• Headache
• Muscle cramps/spasms
• Digestive troubles
• Constipation
Symptoms of severe dehydration may include:
• Significantly reduced or absence of urination/peeing
• Having very dark yellow, red or brown urine/pee
• Very dry, flaky, burning or itching skin
• Feeling of dizziness or light-headedness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Rapid breathing
• Sunken eyes
• Sleepiness, lack of energy, confusion or irritability
• Fainting
If you have difficulty drinking your daily dose of water, try:
• Drinking 50% in the morning and 50% in the afternoon. (Avoid drinking during, 30 minutes before, or 2 hours after eating to reduce digestive upset.)
• Drink it warm. Even slightly increasing the temperature of your water before consuming can help those who tend to get cold after consuming water.
• Drinking other hot or cold beverages does not count! Other liquids contain solids or other nutrients that require water to digest. If you have issues with dehydration, particularly avoid diuretics such as tea, coffee, soda, chocolate, or anything else that contains caffeine, such as energy drinks.
• Add a hint of lemon, mint, or cucumber to make it more refreshing.
MINIMUM DAILY WATER GOAL:
Body Weight (lbs) ÷ 2 = Bare Minimum Ounces Required Daily
[A person weighing 200 lbs should drink a minimum of 100 ounces of pure water daily. Requirement increases during extremely hot or cold weather, illness, physical activity, or detoxification programs, etc.]
*All information provided herein is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, prescribe or cure. Use at the own discretion, and see your primary care provider as necessary.