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How not to hydrate By Joanne Capano
Recognize the signs. More importantly, know what to do
Dehydration is a condition that occurs when someone loses more fluids than he or she takes in, and in the hot summer heat, this loss usually occurs through excessive sweat. Sweating is a great cooling system, but on a hot summer day, your child could be losing too much water through their skin.
When someone experiences dehydration, the amount of water in their body has dropped below the level needed for normal body function. Once a child becomes dehydrated, he or she is vulnerable to more serious heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heatstroke, the latter being a medical emergency.
RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS
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If your child appears weak, complains of a headache or nausea, has clammy skin and begins to vomit, they may have heat exhaustion. KidsHealth.org suggests taking the following steps if you suspect heat exhaustion:
Bring your child indoors or into the shade.
Loosen or remove your child's clothing.
Encourage your child to eat and drink.
Give your child a bath in cool (not cold) water.
Call your child's doctor for further advice. If your child is too exhausted or ill to eat or drink, intravenous fluids may be necessary.
WATER, JUICE, SODA, OR POWER DRINKS?
Fruit juice quenches thirst and contains vitamins and nutrients, however it is also high in calories and can contribute to unnecessary weight gain. A small serving or two of juice a day is fine with breakfast or snacks, but when loading up on fluids to stay cool, it's best to stick with water. If your child insists on juice, try diluting it by mixing 1/4 cup of juice to 3/4 cups of water. Or, sweeten water naturally by adding a few berries or a squeeze of lemon or orange for a flavorful twist.
Power drinks, with their colorful array of enticing flavors, have become increasingly popular with older children. These can include anything from sports beverages to vitamin waters to "high-energy" supplement drinks. What they all have in common is added ingredients that say they "do" something extra, whether it is to increase energy and alertness, boost nutrition, or even enhance athletic performance. But are they right for your child?
According to nutritionists at the Children Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, sports drinks offer little advantage over cool water. Sports drinks are designed to benefit athletes engaged in continuous, high-intensity aerobic workouts which last for 90 minutes or more. Many times older kids are so preoccupied with an outdoor activity that they play to the point of heat exhaustion.
Parents need to make sure older kids have plenty to drink before and during play. It's also important to teach kids to listen to their bodies and be aware of the signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Try to encourage kids who participate in strenuous outdoor sport activities, like soccer or track, to play outdoors before noon or after 6 P.M when the sun isn't as strong.
HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD KIDS DRINK?
Summer is a wonderful time for kids as it is full of adventure, games and memories to last a lifetime. Keeping them hydrated will ensure they can enjoy the beautiful outdoors safely.
REFERENCES
KidsHealth, "Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke": www.kidshealth.org, http://kidshealth.org/parent/fitness/safety/heat(underscore)exhaustion(underscore)heatstroke(underscore)sheet.html
(Joanne Capano is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and regular contributor to www.NaturallySavvy.com, a website dedicated to educating people on the benefits of living a natural, organic and green lifestyle.)
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