Preventing Heat Exhaustion with Alkaline Water
As summer winds down, many of us start to neglect our once-tedious sun protection efforts. It is still as important as ever to protect yourself against the sun by staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen and covering up when necessary. Failure to protect yourself from the heat and sun increases your risk of developing heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness where your body gets too hot and is unable to cool itself down successfully.
It occurs when one exposes themselves to high temperatures and sun for a prolonged period of time, and it is often paired with dehydration. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include thirst, headaches, muscle cramps, and nausea. In this article you’ll discover:
- The Risks of Developing Heat Exhaustion
- How to Prevent Heat Exhaustion
The Risks of Developing Heat Exhaustion
There are several factors that are associated with your risk of developing heat-related illnesses. Age, pre-existing health conditions, and medications can come into play while you’re enjoying the sun. Young children and seniors, as well as those taking blood pressure medications and diuretics, should be especially careful when enjoying the summer weather.
Young children’s bodies aren’t fully capable of regulating heat and temperature quite yet, and in older adults, certain medications and illnesses can impede the body’s ability to maintain a normal core temperature.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any symptoms of heat exhaustion, the most important thing to do is to get out of the sun and go somewhere cool and shady. It is crucial to replenish your body’s fluid stores by drinking plenty of water. Natural drinks that contain electrolytes such as coconut water or mineralized, alkaline water can also help your body replace its salt stores.
In some cases, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which can have damaging effects to the brain and other organs. If symptoms of heat exhaustion last longer than 15 minutes, you should seek medical attention to avoid more serious outcomes.
How to Prevent Heat Exhaustion
When it comes to preventing heat-related illnesses, you should ensure that you are adequately prepared for hot summer days. If the heat index is especially high, consider avoiding drinks that contain caffeine and alcohol as they can quickly dehydrate you and worsen heat exhaustion symptoms.
Similarly, avoid exercising outdoors during the middle of the day - when heat and sun are at their peak. Instead, focus on exercising early in the morning or in the late evening when temperature and humidity are lower.
A good practice is ensuring that you’re staying hydrated before, after and during your time in the sun. Drinking plenty of mineralized alkaline water can help ensure that your body’s electrolyte and salt balance stays in check as well.
On-the-go products from Santevia like the Tritan Water Bottle and Power Stick are great for hydration at the beach, pool, park and everywhere in between. The Power Stick will filter chlorine, which is a harmful contaminant found in most municipal water sources, as well as boost the pH and alkalinity to make alkaline water.
After you’ve returned home, the MINA Alkaline Pitcher is the perfect way to feed your body essential minerals and enjoy a clean, refreshing beverage that can be kept cold in the fridge. It reduces contaminants like chlorine and lead, while adding beneficial minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The best part about this filter is that it is made in North America and can be easily recycled.
If you’re looking to stay hydrated for the rest of this summer and work towards protecting your family against dehydration and heat exhaustion, visit Santevia’s catalog to view the whole line of products. Santevia products boost the pH of drinking water while improving the taste - ensuring that you and your family love the taste so much that you’ll want to stay hydrated.