Six Dehydration Facts That May Surprise You
June 1, 2019Do you have a life-partner or child who is active in sports and you worry about their ability to stay hydrated, especially during the hot summer months in Houston? Or maybe you’re the athlete yourself and you’re always on the lookout for information to keep emergency care at bay.
Either way, there are a lot of myths and misinformation surrounding the importance of hydration. At Memorial Heights ER, we believe health information should be readily available to anyone who wants to improve their understanding. That’s why we provide the following facts – six of them to be exact – to keep you from having to seek an emergency room in Houston Heights with questions about dehydration.
- Fact One: Dehydration can affect your mood
- Fact Two: Dehydration is a leading contributor to fatigue
- Fact Three: If you feel thirsty – you’re dehydrated!
- Fact Four: 75% of American are considered chronically dehydrated
- Fact Five: Staying hydrated can boost your metabolism
- Fact Six: Dehydration can impact your body’s internal organs
Mild, Moderate, or Severe – Dehydration Can Be Life-Threatening
Most medical professionals will use three classifications of dehydration when treating patients who present with symptoms. These are mild, moderate, or severe. And although many people believe they don’t need to seek medical care for mild or moderate dehydration, that’s a myth of its own – especially if the dehydration is being experienced by the very young, the elderly, or is accompanied by headaches, muscle cramps, severe nausea, vomiting, fever, sunken eyes, rapid breathing, and more. The bottom line on dehydration is that it can be life-threatening and it’s causes, symptoms, signs, and management should never be underestimated.
What Happens to Our Body When Dehydration Kicks In
When we’re unable to keep our body hydrated, the first thing that happens is that our blood begins to thicken. When this happens, our body tries to compensate by forcing our heart to work at a higher level, and it sends signals to our kidneys to stop water elimination such as sweating and urination. These low levels of water in the brain also create a sense of drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, or more. It’s at this point that most patients will seek – and should seek — emergency medical care.