As we are now into our wonderful Upper Peninsula summer season, let’s review the health benefits of maintaining proper hydration.

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. The human body is approximately 60% water, and water is essential for life and for us to stay healthy.

Dehydration takes place when your body does not have enough water for normal body functions. The most common symptom of mild dehydration is feeling thirsty. 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.

Your body may lose a lot of fluid from: exercising, fever, vomiting or diarrhea, urinating too much, possibly from uncontrolled diabetes, or as a side effect from medications, or most commonly, from not drinking enough fluids. We can also become dehydrated from sweating too much, perhaps from physical work, 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.

Here are the most common signs 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 dehydration becomes severe, one may feel dizziness or lightheadedness, a rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, rapid breathing, severe headache, and very low energy.

If you feel thirsty, your body may be telling you that you are dehydrated. Drink some fluids with every meal, and off and on throughout the day. Fluids can be in the form of water, coffee, tea, juice, or in sport drinks, like Powerade Zero or Gatorade Zero. Sports drinks also help replace our needed electrolytes that may be at low levels due to dehydration. If your health care provider has advised you to restrict your fluid intake, check with them before increasing your hydration.

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

If you have signs of severe dehydration, 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. It may be necessary to receive IV fluids, and the cause of the dehydration needs to be determined to prevent future episodes.