Fluids are important during the summer to prevent dehydration. The body tries to keep fluid balance by signaling thirst. Don’t ignore your sense of thirst—drink whenever you feel thirsty, but your thirst sense is not always reliable. Older adults partially lose their sense of thirst as they age. This leads to inadequate water and fluid consumption. It is important to drink water or fluid even when you are not thirsty. Drinking with and between meals can help increase fluid consumption.
Once the recommendation was to drink 8 cups of fluid daily, now it is recommended that you drink enough fluid to stay hydrated. Still the 8 cups of fluid daily is an acceptable rule of thumb to follow.
Possible fluids:
_ Water Lemonades
_ Milk Coffee & ice tea
_ Fruit Juices
Note: Limit alcoholic beverages because they can increase fluid loss
Signs of dehydration: Confusion, dry lips, sunken eyes, increased body temperature, decreased blood pressure, constipation, decreased urine output, nausea, persistent fatigue, lethargy, muscle weakness or cramps, headaches, dizziness, nausea, forgetfulness, deep rapid breathing, or an increased heart rate.