Travel advice hot weather dehydration

Travel advice: With the summer holidays fast approaching here, is our travel advice to avoid Dehydration, which is a major cause of stomach upsets on holiday..

Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If you don’t replenish lost fluids, you may suffer serious consequences.

A simple check is when you use the loo,

• Your urine should be a light yellow color for normally hydrated individuals.
• However if it gets darker you are getting dehydrated and you should increase your water intake. From 2.5 litres to at least 3.5 ltrs per day in hot weather
• Alcohol dehydrates, as does coffee, its a mild diluric. So have a glass of water with your coffee, beer or glass of wine.
• So in hot climes try and drink a pint of water when you get up, this will get you of to a good start.

Common causes of dehydration include intense diarrhea, vomiting, fever or excessive sweating. Inadequate intake of water during hot weather or exercise also may cause dehydration.

Anyone may become dehydrated, but young children, older adults and people with chronic illnesses are most at risk.

You can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration by increasing your intake of fluids, but severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment.

The safest approach is prevention of dehydration. Monitor your fluid loss during hot weather, illness or exercise, and drink enough liquids to replace what you lose.