Dehydration - Please watch out.

[geebee]

Well, I thought I was smart and had all my bases covered. I know about heat and dehydration and was sure I always drank enough water and limited my exposure during heat waves. I was wrong.

I started having difficulty breathing last night, like something was sitting on my chest. Also having a general feeling of "just not feeling well". Almost flu-like symptoms.

Just got back from the doctor's and he said I got dehydrated. I was working yesterday at my second job (the one I quit but still working out my 2 weeks). It is somewhat physical and the building was not all that cool. I know I was sweating a lot but I was drinking water as well and thought I had things covered. The doc says with this heat, best to stay out of any environment that does not feel cool, especially if a lot of sweating occurs. You can lose fluids much more rapidly than you can take in.

Anyway, lucky not to need IV fluids. I am home and being good in the A/C.

Just wanted to tell everyone to be extra careful, even if you think you are.

 

[epstns]

Geebee-
I think I know what you mean. I find I don't "do well" in the extreme heat we've had here in Chicago this summer. I also am waiting for the nasty phone call from my internist, as I just got the results from my annual blood work, and several measures are a tad bit high. When I look up the causes of these anomalies, dehydration is a prime culprit -- along with the thiazide diuretic built into my hypertension meds. Wonder if the doc will put it all together and just watch it next time, or whether I'll get a callback from the doc for follow-up visit.

Oh, well, we just need to be extra careful when we're not hitting on all cylinders.

 

[KMB]

I read an article once about people with leaky valves often do not feel as thirsty as someone with normal valves. I know I am never thirsty, but I try to drink a lot of water anyway. If I find the article, I will fill you all in!!

 

[geebee]

Kris,

You are right as I rarely get thirsty. I try to force myself to drink water but sometimes I feel "sloshy" because I drink more than my thirst tells me to.

I am sure that is part of the reason I had this problem. I thought I was doing more than enough because I drank more than my thirst wanted. I guess I just have to drink even more in this type of weather.

Thankfully the temp has dropped a bit and should be lower for a few days.

 

[tommy]

I suggest supplementing a sports drink (eg Gatorade, Powerade) to add back some electrolytes. If salt is an issue for you, then you need to be careful, but water alone isn't enough when you sweat a lot.

You are correct in drinking fluids before you get thirsty. Also, avoid caffeine, it dries you out.

 

[Gemma]

I think Jim had the same thing yesterday - came home from work early (although technically late as he was doing overtime again ) after a migraine and almost fainting - later turned into aching legs, headache, stomach upset - and to cap it all he has a cold (I know, in July!). Spent several hours trying to convince him he wasn't about to drop dead or need to go to hospital and he was just OVERTIRED!

So he's taken the day off today. May see the doctor if he doesn't feel better but I think he just needed a rest and more fluids. I know a lot of the time he tends to get migraines when he's a bit dehydrated, so that's what I figured happened yesterday.

What is it with men anyway? They go along like Superman having 6 hours sleep a night, doing 10 hour days and spend another 4 hours rebuilding motorbikes, and wonder why they're tired afterwards. Or is that just Jim?

 

[epstns]

GemmaJ,
No, it isn't just Jim. I find myself working 10+ hour days, rushing to the gym to jog my 4 miles, then on to hobbies for a short while in the evening. Weekends right now are spent re-decorating my daughter's room. I rarely get more than 6 1/2 or 7 hours of sleep. Is that why I'm tired? I just blame it on my valve, as I'm still pre-surgery. . .

Probably just another "guy" thing.

 

[Harpoon]

Sodium is an electrolyte and you need some of that too, though not nearly as much as what's in the "typical American's" diet...


A general rule of thumb I've heard from a variety of sources is that if you're not using the bathroom at all through the day, you may be in trouble.


Gatorade or other sports drinks are good. Another alternative may be simple orange juice.

Heat exhaustion can come up quick, especially if you're doing physical work out in the sun and not taking the time to rehydrate...

 

[Missy]

I have had this happen to me also. I can feel it coming and water works fast as long as it is not too advanced or one can get out of the heat. But even without the heat I need water to function properly. My fibrillation really gets bad if I start getting the least dehydrated.

 

[geebee]

I have had this happen to me also. I can feel it coming and water works fast as long as it is not too advanced or one can get out of the heat. But even without the heat I need water to function properly. My fibrillation really gets bad if I start getting the least dehydrated.

You know I did not even associate my a-fib with the dehydration. However, I did notice my heartbeat was more erratic and more pounding during my bout with the dehydration. Thanks for pointing that out. I will watch out even more now because I was quite uncomfortable.

Drinking a lot of water and Gatorade in Ohio these days.

 

[McCln]

Even diabetics must watch out for dehyfration, it is much worse for them. I am one of them and must also rest when out in the heat. Try to stay out of the sun with shade or an umbrella. And still drink lots of water.

 

[Paul]

I read an article once about people with leaky valves often do not feel as thirsty as someone with normal valves. I know I am never thirsty, but I try to drink a lot of water anyway. If I find the article, I will fill you all in!!

That's interesting that there is an article about not feeling thirsty. I totally agree. I never feel thirsty; and have had two kidney stones and increased PVC's likely from not drinking enough.

This summer, post surgery, I have decided to buy and drink Gatorades whenever I want. Drinking a lot of water is hard for me and I figure it's better to drink the sugary drink that I enjoy then not drink. It has worked and I know I drink much more then other years, although still probably not enough. Also, on the plus side, Gatorade has Sucrose Syrup instead of Corn Syrup, which is not (yet) linked to Type II Diabetes.

I would love to read it if you can find it.

 

[Granbonny]

Diuretics

Diuretics

Not to hjack Geebee's thread..but saw a neighbor today..she is bone thin..Said her doctor told her to take a diuretic as needed..she said, she takes them everyday. Loves she is losing all this weight. what can I tell her..may happen?..I mean she has lost probably 20 lbs this last month..Bonnie

 

[DebbiN]

never thirsty

never thirsty

This is very interesting- I am rarely thirsty either. If I get through two glasses of something every day I am doing well! I would love to see that article also,

 

[perkicar]

I spent last weekend in NJ at a field trial with my dogs. Both days the heat index was well over 90, probably over 100 on Saturday. Thank goodness there was a nice breeze both days and lots of shade. I think I did a better job Sunday than Saturday of keeping myself hydrated, as I did have to go to the bathroom more on Sunday. Although I know it's bad (LOL), I didn't take my lasix either day since I knew I'd be out in the heat and didn't think I should intentionally dry myself out. However, when I did take it Monday it was pee pee pee for several hours LOL. So I guess I was holding on to a little extra!
We didn't win what we'd hoped to but still had fun and got to see friends I haven't seen in a year at least! Vanna was 3rd both days, which was pretty respectable. (the entry was 23 Sat and 26 on Sunday).

 

[DuchessBear]

Please be careful not to go too far the other way -- you CAN drink TOO MUCH water. A couple of marathon runners have died from drinking too much water, and here's a recent incident in DC.

District Officer Dies After Bike Ride
Over-Hydration Cited as Factor

By Del Quentin Wilber and David Brown
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, August 11, 2005; Page B01

A highly honored 25-year-old D.C. police officer died yesterday after he apparently drank too much water Tuesday while training to use a bicycle on patrol, police officials said.

Doctors believe that hyponatremia, a sodium imbalance caused by drinking excessive amounts of fluid, most likely caused or contributed to the death of Officer James C. McBride, police officials said. McBride consumed as much as three gallons of water during and after the 12-mile training ride Tuesday morning, police said.

 

[geebee]

We have all made such changes to our bodies that I don't think we always realize just what a finely tuned instrument it is.

Too much or too little water can alter the electrolyte balance which could cause death in the extreme.

Good point to bring up.