Winter Dehydration

More commonly associated with sweat and hot weather, the risk of dehydration actually increases in the winter and cold months.  The reason is that people just don’t get as thirsty when the weather is cold, therefore, they do not drink as much water.  The key to this is how our bodies lose fluid in warm weather compared to cold.  In the summer we most commonly lose body water by sweat, in the winter, we also sweat a lot (Heavy clothes) but the sweat evaporates from the skin much quicker due to the cold, dry air.  More importantly, in the cold we lose significant fluid through breathing.  Because our core body temperature does not rise and our body water levels are maintained at the body core, this does not stimulate our brain to tell us to drink water.  So it is very important to make sure we get our recommended 64 ounces of water every day.  Think the “8x8” rule, drink 8, 8 ounce glasses of water every day!

To ensure that you are staying properly hydrated, here are some of the major signs of dehydration.

-         Dry, sticky mouth

-         Muscle weakness or pain

-         Dizziness

-         Headache

-         Lack of sweat production

A good rule of thumb is to take note of your urine color, if it is mostly clear, you are doing great!

See you next week.

Dr. Danny Grimes DC

Lakeville Community Chiropractic

952-236-9027