Do you also feel thirsty when you sweat or work out? Let's talk about dehydration!

We all know that when you come home from a hard workout and sweat it out, you feel very thirsty. Why is that? Sometimes, that thirst can be a sign that your body is dehydrated . Simply put, dehydration is when your body doesn't have enough water to function properly.

So what exactly is dehydration?

It's very simple. Our bodies get water from the things we drink and the food we eat. We also lose water when we sweat, urinate (that is, pee), have diarrhea, and vomit. Did you know that a small amount of water is also lost when we breathe?

Water is essential for all our body functions to function properly. Just think about how good it feels when you come home from a hard workout and drink a glass or two of water from your mother. That's when the water that was lost from your body is replaced. However, if you don't replace it, you will start to feel uncomfortable . If you don't keep your body hydrated, you may become very ill and may even end up in the hospital. That's why it's very important to take care of your water intake.

Why is this happening to us? What are the reasons for this?

Most of the time, young children become dehydrated when they are playing hard and having fun. You may remember how your face turns red and sweaty after a good cricket match. This happens most often on sunny days, but sometimes it can also happen when you are playing indoors, like when you are practicing basketball in a gym.

Similarly, when children get sick, they are more likely to become dehydrated. Imagine you have a stomach ache and are vomiting, or you have diarrhea . Or both at the same time. Then you don't feel like eating or drinking.

Important: Even when we have a fever, our body temperature is lowered by the evaporation of water from our skin, which can lead to dehydration. That's why parents tell us to "drink plenty of water and fluids" when we're sick.

Another thing, if you have a sore throat, you may not drink enough water because it is difficult to swallow food and drink. All of these reasons can lead to water retention in the body.

How do I know for sure if I'm dehydrated? What are the symptoms?

The main sign of dehydration is thirst. But sometimes it's better to be aware of other symptoms rather than just waiting for thirst.

Here are some more features:

• Feeling dizzy, sometimes feeling light- headed, or just feeling tired.
• A slight increase in heart rate.
• Dry mouth and lips.
• A decrease in the frequency of urination , or a dark yellow color or a strong odor (normally, a healthy person's urine is light yellow).

If you have one or more of these symptoms, it may mean that your body is dehydrated.

So what do we do? How do we escape this situation?

You should try your best to avoid dehydration. That means it's best to prevent this condition before it occurs.

Prevention is best!

• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after you go outside to play. Be especially careful on hot days , as dehydration can occur along with other heat-related illnesses (such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke).
• A question that many people ask is, "Do you need to drink eight glasses of water a day?" It's not mandatory. But you should drink water until you're thirsty, not until you're thirsty. If you're exercising or playing, it's okay to drink a little more water.
• Also, wearing loose, light clothing, staying in the shade for a while while playing, and staying indoors are good for the body.

What do you do when you are sick?

If you are sick, even if you are not very thirsty or have no appetite, drink small amounts of water or diluted fruit juice . Sucking on an ice pack is also a good way to get fluids into your body. Foods like fruits and vegetables also contain water. However, when you have an upset stomach, it can be difficult to eat them.

These drinks are not that good!

Limit sodas, fruit-flavored drinks (like fruit punch, lemonade), and iced teas as much as possible. These drinks contain a lot of sugar that your body doesn't need. Some drinks contain caffeine. This caffeine makes you urinate more often. Simply put, it causes your body to lose fluids more quickly. Now you know, when you're dehydrated, you have to do the opposite!

Do I need to see a doctor?

Sometimes, dehydration can be managed with home remedies, such as drinking plenty of water and fluids, and getting some rest.

However, sometimes that alone may not be enough to keep your child healthy. If your child has a heat-related illness (such as heat-related illness), or if they have persistent vomiting or diarrhea , you may need to see a doctor or go to the emergency room.

Don't worry! Even in the hospital, there are ways to get fluids into your body quickly. That's what we call an ``intravenous line'', or ``IV''. You've probably heard of "giving saline," or something like that. This involves putting a thin tube into a vein in your arm and giving you fluids. It will hurt a little when the nurse puts it in, but it will help you feel better quickly.

The most important things we need to remember from this story (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so, from what we've talked about today, these are the most important things to keep in mind:

• Drink water regularly: Don't forget to drink enough water, especially when playing, exercising, or sweating.
• Be aware of the symptoms: If you experience symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, and decreased urination , understand that this could be a sign of dehydration.
• Choose the right thing: Water is best. Stay away from sugary drinks and sodas.
• Take extra care when sick: Drink plenty of fluids when you have a fever, vomiting , or diarrhea.
• See a doctor if necessary: ​​If you can't control it with home remedies, or if you think the condition is serious, don't delay seeing a doctor.

Remember, our bodies are like machines. For them to function properly, they need to be given the right fuel, which is water. Only then can we be healthy and happy !

Dehydration, Dehydration, Lack of water, Children's health, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Health tips