A Pediatrician Explains: The Importance of Staying Hydrated
September 14, 2023
Are you—and your family—drinking enough water every day?
Hot weather is hard on the human body. It can affect how much sleep we get, how much energy we have, and how well we recover from illness.
This is especially true for young children, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions.
One of the best ways to stay as cool and healthy as possible is to stay hydrated. Learn more about the importance of hydration from Dr. Mary Strength, a pediatrician in north Texas.
How do bodies use water and other fluids?
Every part of your body uses water, whether you are asleep or awake.
On hot days, water turns into sweat, which helps to lower your body temperature. Your body also uses water to produce lubricant to protect your joints.
Watch this video to learn more from Dr. Strength about the role of water in the body.
How much water and fluids do I need?
To be healthy, everyone needs to stay hydrated. But how much water and other fluids do we need?
That answer depends on your age, your height and weight, and how much fluid you need to replace the fluid you lose each day.
On average, adult men should consume about 15.5 cups of fluids a day. Adult women need slightly less—about 11.5 cups of fluids a day.
Dr. Strength explains how much water to give toddlers, children, and teens in this brief video.
What are signs of dehydration in infants and children?
Babies and small children can lose fluids quickly during hot weather or when they are ill. It’s important to watch for the signs of dehydration in infants and children so you can give fluids before their symptoms worsen.
A few signs include dry tongue, dry lips, crying without tears, an infant having fewer than six wet diapers per day, and a toddler not urinating for eight hours.
Watch this video to learn more signs of dehydration. Dr. Strength also discusses what oral rehydration solution you can give to your child.
What are signs of dehydration in adults?
Do you feel weak or nauseated? Do you have a headache?
You might need water or other fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty. In fact, by the time you feel thirst, you are already dehydrated.
In adults, dehydration can cause sugar cravings, dry mouth, swollen feet, and many other symptoms. Water is the best option for rehydrating your body, but you might want to try oral rehydration solutions to replace essential electrolytes.
Get more tips for staying hydrated in this video from Dr. Strength.
Complete your annual Health Risk Assessment—earn $20 in Parkland rewards!
As a Parkland Community Health Plan member, you can earn reward points for completing certain wellness activities. Then, you can spend those points on items in the Rewards Catalog.
Want to earn $20 in rewards points?
Simply complete a yearly Health Risk Assessment on the Member Portal. You will receive your reward points in approximately three months.
Call 214-393-7003 (TTY: 1-800-735-2989) to learn about the Parkland Health Risk Assessment reward.
