The heat wave is continuing today, expected to last through this evening. With high temps projected throughout the Morongo Basin, Cassidy Taylor asks the question, are you drinking enough water?
Dehydration occurs when you use or 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 replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated. So, how do you know if you are dehydrated? The signs of dehydration include thirst, dry or sticky mouth, dry and cool skin, headaches, and muscle cramps. If you are severely dehydrated, your skin may be very dry, you may feel dizzy, have a rapid heartbeat and breathing, sunken eyes, or be confused.
Signs of dehydration in babies and young children can be a little different and include a dry mouth and tongue, no tears when they cry, dry diapers for 3 hours, sunken eyes or cheeks, and sleepiness, lack of energy, or irritability. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and needs to be treated immediately. To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of water throughout the day and avoid being out in the heat too long.
