Tips to Stay Hydrated and The Value of Sunscreen Usage

The dry heat of a hot summer's day in the desert might be harsh on your body and skin. If you're going outdoors for the day or just lounging by the pool, use sun protection to stay safe from the dangerous sun's rays and drink plenty of water. Continue reading to learn more about how you should apply sunscreen and how to stay hydrated during a long day outside.

Why Is Dehydration Dangerous?

The body is mostly made of water, accounting for about 60 percent of your total body mass. If the quantity of water in your body decreases too much, it is impossible to function properly. Water is required for effective blood circulation, enables and controls specific biochemical reactions, and allows the liver and kidneys to filter pollutants from your body. Water also aids the digestion and absorption of meals, as well as many other bodily functions. When the water levels in your body fall too low, you become dehydrated. It is readily treatable in the early stages, but irreversible organ damage and even death may result if the problem persists.

Dehydration can be induced by a lengthy bout of diarrhea or vomiting, as well as a high temperature. In these situations, it is critical that you visit a doctor for both the dehydration and the diseases that caused it. Dehydration can occur when someone is not ill, as the condition is the result of your body's attempt to cool itself. When you're in a hot environment, your body generates sweat to keep you cool. The majority of this sweat consists of water and salt.

Sweating may prevent you from overheating, but if you don't take measures to replenish the lost fluids, you can end up dehydrated. The salt lost when you sweat makes it more difficult for your body to retain the liquids you drink. As a result, sports drinks include salts and other electrolytes to help your body keep hold of the water it gets.

How to Prevent Dehydration

The most efficient technique to avoid dehydration is to drink a lot of liquids and stay out of the summer heat. You must consume enough water daily, not just when exercising or outside in the sun. Drinking eight glasses of water first thing in the morning will not aid in keeping you hydrated throughout the day, as your kidneys will quickly eliminate the extra water. However, drinking eight glasses of water throughout the day will keep you hydrated and ensure that your bodily functions operate properly.

Keep an eye on the weather. Heat warnings are issued to inform you that even if you follow all of the suggestions in this article, you risk overheating or becoming dehydrated if you spend too much time outside.

How to Recognize Dehydration

Dehydration may occur in various ways and is often mild or moderate. Recognizing the early signs of mild or moderate dehydration allows you to take steps to correct the problem. IV fluids and other medical treatments might be required to hydrate the body if severe dehydration has developed.

First signs of dehydration include:

  • Thirst: The sensation of thirst is one way in which your body attempts to communicate with you. Don't dismiss it.
  • Having a dry or sticky-feeling mouth: Slower saliva production will occur if the body is short on water.
  • Dark urine: Urine should be clear or have a pale yellow.
  • Fatigue: Your body's way of telling you to take it easy.

At this stage, dehydration is simple to reverse. You must rehydrate yourself by drinking a lot of water and eating fruits and vegetables that are high in water content. Melons, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and celery are some examples. If you don't like water, use no-sugar-added flavored water or coconut water instead. Avoid caffeinated beverages because they're depleting your body of fluids.

Signs of Mild Dehydration

Dehydration is a condition in which your body loses more fluid than it takes in. If you don't give your body the fluids it needs early on, dehydration will get worse. The following are mild signs of dehydration:

  • Dry skin
  • Headache
  • Muscle cramps
  • Reduced need to urinate, but with only small amounts of dark yellow, strong-smelling urine released when you do
  • Swollen tongue
  • Sugar cravings

At this point, you may need more than simply water to replenish the fluids that you've lost. Sports drinks or electrolyte liquids formulated specifically for sick kids are a good option. If you don't have any of those on hand, try drinking a sugar-rich soda or tea followed by pure water.

Regardless of how you replace the fluids, getting yourself out of the heat and sun is crucial until your fluid levels have returned to normal.

Signs of Severe Dehydration

Hopefully, you can compensate for the fluids your body require before this point, but if you ignore these early indicators of severe dehydration, they can lead to serious injuries. The following are some of the symptoms of severe dehydration:

  • Sluggishness
  • Slurred speech
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Fainting
  • Heart palpitations
  • Raised body temperature

Keep the Outside of Your Body Safe

Dehydration isn't the only danger you must beware of in the desert's extreme heat and sun. Your skin also requires protection. The depletion of the ozone layer means that all skin types require sunscreen to avoid being burned by the sun's harmful UV radiation.

UV rays can damage your skin. The best way to prevent sunburn and tissue damage is to use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Furthermore, just as you should drink lots of water every day to maintain a healthy body, you should apply sunscreen daily to preserve your skin health. Sunscreen prevents the symptoms of aging skin caused by sun damage. Sun damage may lead to fine lines, dry skin, loose skin, and dark spots.

The advantages of sunscreen protection are almost limitless. You may reduce your chance of skin cancer, harm that prematurely ages your skin, and avoid unpleasant and potentially dangerous sunburns in a single step.

Every day you are in danger of the sun's harmful UV rays, whether indoors or outdoors. There are an average of 286 sunny days per year in Arizona, so it's probably a good idea to apply it every morning. On the days you intend to go out, especially if you will be in water or sweat heavily, make sure your sunscreen is water resistant. If you have sensitive skin, you may need to test a few different brands before finding one that works for your skin, but it is well worth the time and effort.

Even if you don't have sunscreen on hand or are concerned that what you put on hours ago has lost its effectiveness, you may still protect yourself from UV rays. Even if it feels uncomfortably warm, cover up exposed skin with a blanket or a full-length garment. A wide-brimmed hat is always a wise choice, even if you wear sunscreen, to protect your head from overheating and to block the sun's rays.

If you don't have any additional clothing or a hat, find whatever shade is accessible. An umbrella, a tree, a business' awning, or even the shadow of a parked automobile might be preferable than baking in the sun without sunscreen protection. You should make applying sunscreen part of your morning routine. If you spend more time in the sun than planned, it's a good idea to bring additional sunscreen. And don't forget to always carry a bottle of water or sports drinks wherever you go.

Amenities Make the Difference at Liv Community

Take advantage of all the summer heat-beating amenities available in your Liv Community. Central air conditioning, a pool, and a shaded BBQ area are just a few among them.

Stay Hydrated Avoid UV Rays