Water Is Essential

BINGHAMTON, NY - If you're thirsty, you're dehydrated. "Don't wait until you feel thirsty. Thirst is a sign that your body is dehydrated and, as a result, is not working at its peak efficiency. To avoid dehydration, drink six to eight, eight-ounce glasses of water every day," said Claudia Edwards, Public Health Director, of the Broome County Health Department.

Drinking liquid is so simple that it is easy to forget how important it is to drink enough to stay hydrated, she said. If you do not get enough liquid, you will feel tired, and you will think you are hungrier than you are. Your body may also store more water, which shows up as extra weight. You can also become constipated.

Ms. Edwards said the signs of dehydration include: dry lips, mouth and skin; nausea; dark-colored urine or infrequent urination; constipation; increased body temperature or labored breathing.

She continued, "Keeping yourself hydrated provides many healthful benefits. Most importantly, it helps you maintain your energy level and reduce fatigue. It also helps you rid your body of waste products and helps your body fat burn more efficiently."

Ms. Edwards offered these suggestions for keeping yourself well hydrated:

• Foods with high water content can help you meet your fluid needs – some examples include: soups, stews, citrus fruits, grapes and melons.
• Low-fat and fat-free milk, 100 percent fruit juice and decaffeinated tea and coffee can also count toward your six to eight glasses of fluid a day.

Ms. Edwards suggested the following tips for drinking more water during the day:

• Measure the amount of water in your usual glass or bottle. Most hold more than eight ounces.
• Fill a container with your water for the day. Drink it plain, or use it to make yourself juice or tea.
• If you are away from home most of the day, fill bottles with enough liquid for the day. Drink at least half the liquid by early afternoon.
• Keep bottled water in a single serving size in your car, backpack or desk.
• Develop a hydration habit – a glass of water when you wake up, one between and at each meal, and one at bedtime – to make eight.
• Serve water at each meal.

Check your urine. It should be clear to pale yellow in color, unless you are taking medicines, which may make your urine appear darker. You should urinate every two to three hours during the day.

For more information about the importance of staying hydrated, contact the Broome County Health Department, at 607.778.3921.

CONTACT:

Diane O'Hora, Supervising Public Health Educator,
Broome County Health Department, 607.778.3921
email: dohora@co.broome.ny.us

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