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Column: Simple facts about dehydration
Youngblood MD

Column: Simple facts about dehydration

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By on Health, Westfield

Commentary by Lisa Youngblood, MD, IU Health Physicians Northside Adult & Pediatric Care

Youngblood MD
Youngblood MD

With more opportunities to be outside during the summer, dehydration is a concern for some people – especially older adults, young children and those who exercise or work outdoors. Dehydration means the body doesn’t have the fluids necessary to keep its systems working properly. Fluids are important to nearly every bodily function, including maintaining the right body temperature and flushing waste.

It’s easy to tell if you are getting enough fluids by looking at the color of your urine. Clear or light yellow urine indicates ample hydration. Dark yellow urine means you are not taking in adequate water and fluids.

Preventing dehydration

All liquids keep the body hydrated. The majority of your total water intake (approximately 80 percent) comes from water and other beverages you drink. The remaining 20 percent comes from food. To prevent dehydration, you should drink six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water or other fluids every day. You may need to drink more water when exercising, especially in hot weather, or if you have the flu or another health problem, such as a urinary tract infection. To help keep children hydrated, low-sugar popsicles are a good option. Be sure kids have plenty of water and sports drinks when playing sports in warm weather. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding also should increase their water intake.

Helpful ways to drink more water each day include:

  • Drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up each morning.
  • Keeping a glass of water or a water bottle with you at work, in the car or when running errands. This encourages frequent sipping throughout the day.
  • Adding packets of sugarless flavoring to water for variety. You can also flavor water with lemon or lime wedges or cucumber slices.

Drinking water is not the only way to stay hydrated. Many foods contain water. Some good alternate sources are low-sodium soup and broth, grapes, grapefruit, watermelon, and fruit juice. Surprisingly, meats, including hamburger and chicken breast, contain high concentrations of water.

If dehydration is an ongoing issue for you, be sure to consult your primary care doctor.

Lisa Youngblood, MD, specializes in family medicine. She is a guest columnist located at IU Health Physicians Northside Adult & Pediatric Care, 11725 Illinois St., Ste. 250, in Carmel.  She can be reached by calling the office at 317.688.5300.


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Column: Simple facts about dehydration
Youngblood MD

Column: Simple facts about dehydration

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By on Health, Noblesville

Commentary by Lisa Youngblood, MD, IU Health Physicians Northside Adult & Pediatric Care

Youngblood MD
Youngblood MD

With more opportunities to be outside during the summer, dehydration is a concern for some people – especially older adults, young children and those who exercise or work outdoors. Dehydration means the body doesn’t have the fluids necessary to keep its systems working properly. Fluids are important to nearly every bodily function, including maintaining the right body temperature and flushing waste.

It’s easy to tell if you are getting enough fluids by looking at the color of your urine. Clear or light yellow urine indicates ample hydration. Dark yellow urine means you are not taking in adequate water and fluids.

Preventing dehydration

All liquids keep the body hydrated. The majority of your total water intake (approximately 80 percent) comes from water and other beverages you drink. The remaining 20 percent comes from food. To prevent dehydration, you should drink six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water or other fluids every day. You may need to drink more water when exercising, especially in hot weather, or if you have the flu or another health problem, such as a urinary tract infection. To help keep children hydrated, low-sugar popsicles are a good option. Be sure kids have plenty of water and sports drinks when playing sports in warm weather. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding also should increase their water intake.

Helpful ways to drink more water each day include:

  • Drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up each morning.
  • Keeping a glass of water or a water bottle with you at work, in the car or when running errands. This encourages frequent sipping throughout the day.
  • Adding packets of sugarless flavoring to water for variety. You can also flavor water with lemon or lime wedges or cucumber slices.

Drinking water is not the only way to stay hydrated. Many foods contain water. Some good alternate sources are low-sodium soup and broth, grapes, grapefruit, watermelon, and fruit juice. Surprisingly, meats, including hamburger and chicken breast, contain high concentrations of water.

If dehydration is an ongoing issue for you, be sure to consult your primary care doctor.

Lisa Youngblood, MD, specializes in family medicine. She is a guest columnist located at IU Health Physicians Northside Adult & Pediatric Care, 11725 Illinois St., Ste. 250, in Carmel.  She can be reached by calling the office at 317.688.5300.


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Column: Simple facts about dehydration
Youngblood MD

Column: Simple facts about dehydration

0
By on Carmel, Health

Commentary by Lisa Youngblood, MD, IU Health Physicians Northside Adult & Pediatric Care

Youngblood MD
Youngblood MD

With more opportunities to be outside during the summer, dehydration is a concern for some people – especially older adults, young children and those who exercise or work outdoors. Dehydration means the body doesn’t have the fluids necessary to keep its systems working properly. Fluids are important to nearly every bodily function, including maintaining the right body temperature and flushing waste.

It’s easy to tell if you are getting enough fluids by looking at the color of your urine. Clear or light yellow urine indicates ample hydration. Dark yellow urine means you are not taking in adequate water and fluids.

Preventing dehydration

All liquids keep the body hydrated. The majority of your total water intake (approximately 80 percent) comes from water and other beverages you drink. The remaining 20 percent comes from food. To prevent dehydration, you should drink six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water or other fluids every day. You may need to drink more water when exercising, especially in hot weather, or if you have the flu or another health problem, such as a urinary tract infection. To help keep children hydrated, low-sugar popsicles are a good option. Be sure kids have plenty of water and sports drinks when playing sports in warm weather. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding also should increase their water intake.

Helpful ways to drink more water each day include:

  • Drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up each morning.
  • Keeping a glass of water or a water bottle with you at work, in the car or when running errands. This encourages frequent sipping throughout the day.
  • Adding packets of sugarless flavoring to water for variety. You can also flavor water with lemon or lime wedges or cucumber slices.

Drinking water is not the only way to stay hydrated. Many foods contain water. Some good alternate sources are low-sodium soup and broth, grapes, grapefruit, watermelon, and fruit juice. Surprisingly, meats, including hamburger and chicken breast, contain high concentrations of water.

If dehydration is an ongoing issue for you, be sure to consult your primary care doctor.

Lisa Youngblood, MD, specializes in family medicine. She is a guest columnist located at IU Health Physicians Northside Adult & Pediatric Care, 11725 Illinois St., Ste. 250, in Carmel.  She can be reached by calling the office at 317.688.5300.


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