Mercy Hospital doctor gives advice on staying hydrated through warm weather
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – As temperatures begin to rise to 90 degrees consistently for the first time this year, many residents begin to wonder how to keep hydrated and avoid heat related illnesses through the summer weather.
One doctor shares tips on how to avoid heat related illness and keep hydrated as warmer weather rolls in.
“I think a lot of times people don’t realis that a lot of heat illness comes on gradually and isn’t necessarily a rapid change,” said Dr. Chase Silvers with Mercy Hospital in Cape Girardeau. “It can be and that can be something that obvious to people but a lot of times the extreme of age so really young kids or older induvial or elderly Can be pretty quick to have sudden changes in there hydration status and be quick to have a lot of fluid loss and can get dehydrated quickly
Dr. Silvers also talked about what types of liquids are best for your body when you may begin to feel dehydrated and what drinks may actually cause you to become dehydrated
“Also, another big thing is not confusing hydration with certain types of liquids. So water is your best hydrating tool,” said Dr. Silvers. “A lot of everything else that comes with additional hydrating aids can actually dehydrate you if drank alone. So tea, soda, coffee can actually dehydrate you. Those are okay to supplement for additional drink, but you want to have at least three to five glasses of water in your system to help kind of protect your system, your kidneys, your heart, and your brain.”
Leo Quintas is a landscaper and lawn mower for Quintas Landscaping & Lawncare. He says he and his team drink lots of water to prepare for the warm summer heat.
“Lots of water. Drink lots of water! You have to wake up in the morning when its going to be still cool then you have to take a break about 1 to 3 then you get to start working again about 3 to 5. It’s hot. So hot sometimes but that’s what people who are working outside like me and landscaping people must be good. So we commend the people and drink lots of water, muchas aguas,” said Quintas.
Dr. Silvers says some heat related illness don’t always happen outdoors. He says sometimes people with less air circulation can be at a higher risk of heat related illness
“Heat exposure and heat exhaustion doesn’t have to be outside,” said Dr. Silvers. “You can be at home with poor air flow or poor air movement and get dehydrated with increased temperatures in your house. And those are some of our higher risk people because they can go unnoticed for a period of time. Especially if you have family that lives alone by themselves, you definetly do frequent checks to make sure the air is circulating and make sure there is good ventilation in the household.”
Through the warm temperatures Dr. Silvers says that overall, the most important thing to remember is to drink as much water as possible.
“The most important thing is just having adequate access to water and frequently trying to get outside of sun exposure and I think the day of day is the most important,” he said. “Usually from 11 to 4 is your highest risk periods for most sun exposure. So try to limit time outside. If you can’t, make sure you have good protective clothing, frequent sunscreen, frequent hydration and check in on family members who are higher risk.”
