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Sunday, November 30, 2014

Cold weather dehydration



I just sat down and forced myself to drink three tall glasses of water. Dehydration is one of those problems that sneaks up on a person during cold weather. Dry winter air and heavy exertion just suck the liquids out of a person and they don't see it coming. The sense of thirst is muted during cold weather.

It doesn't help when water bottles freeze solid. When I hiking I'll start with a water bottle of warm water, slide it inside a wool sock, then place it in the pack close to my back. A thermos of sweetened hot herbal tea or hot chocolate also come along with me.

Whatever you do, don't eat snow. Too much energy is lost by the body as it turns snow into melt water. Besides, did you ever see the stuff that lives in snow? If you've ever come across a hatch of snow fleas you'll definitely want to melt and then boil any snow.

For me, the temptation this time of year is to live on coffee. Since it's a diuretic that's not a really great idea. I'm not going to avoid coffee so I drink a lot of water to make up for it. It's a good idea to drink enough water so that your urine is clear. If you find yourself peeing orange it's way past time to tank up. If you notice you haven't felt the need to pee all day it's really past time. Don't let this common problem sneak up on you.

-Sixbears

12 comments:

  1. Good advice Sixbears. A lot of people don't realize you can get dehydrated when it's cold outside.

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    1. People can be suffering from dehydration and not even know what's wrong.

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  2. They say that a lot of common complaints are really just dehydration. Urine color IS the best indicator. Older folks have more trouble with it than younger, I think; I know I have to watch closer than I used to.

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    1. It's one of those things that just sneaks up on people.

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  3. I get nosebleeds from dry dry air, and have to drink a lot of water and keep it light on the salt..Dehydration is horrible for a type 2 diabetic so I drink slowly thru the day..Happy Holidays and keep smiling 2015 is coming soon!

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  4. drinking water is one thing, but also running a hummifier helps your lungs inside a winter home

    Wildflower

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  5. I once got totally lost on my way home from the fire department and called Joe to ask him where I was. I was trying to describe my location so he could figure out how I'd gotten lost driving the same route home I always had.

    He asked "Is there water in the car?" He insisted I drink some, and at the time I was getting quite agitated and not willing to cooperate. Eventually I drank half the bottle just to get him off my back.

    Within seconds I realized I was in the Kroger parking lot, was able to drive home, and had lost all my anger. More can happen to the human body & mind while dehydrated than most people can imagine.

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    1. Wow! Good example. The brain is mostly water, so it only makes sense.

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  6. When I lived up north, the cold, dry air would really dry me out. Water is always important, and should be drank before one gets dehydrated.

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