Are your kids (and you) drinking enough water each day? A report from Harvard University finds that most kids are not. Even mild dehydration can affect concentration, mood and energy levels, research says. But dehydration isn’t only a problem in children—it affects adults, as well.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 43 percent of adults drink less than four cups of water per day—and that’s not enough. So how much should you be drinking? The answer depends on many factors, including what you eat, how much you exercise, environmental temperatures and your overall health. The Institute of Medicine recommends healthy men consume 13 cups of fluids per day and women nine cups.
If you have congestive heart failure or late-stage kidney disease, however, your doctor may advise you to limit how much you drink and even to cut back on fluid-filled foods like juicy fruits and veggies, soup and ice cream. Excess fluid in those with heart and kidney disease can increase blood pressure, cause swelling in the legs and feet, or build up around the lungs, making it harder to breathe.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.
Extreme heat can affect your entire family. Be prepared this summer and come into your neighborhood emergency center if you or your family are experiencing signs of dehydration.
Call–A–Nurse at (210) 575-0355 or Call-A-Nurse KIDS at (210) 226-8773 to speak to a nurse in the South Texas area.
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