Just because Labor Day is over, doesn’t mean that summer is not out of the woods just yet! While the days are getting a bit colder, there are still some warm days to be had and that means you can still soak up the sun when you can. But going outside means that you have to be diligent about certain risks, including dehydration.

Dehydration can sneak up on you easily, as once you are thirsty you are already losing about 1% of your body’s water supply. So it is crucial that you stay as hydrated as possible and drink up when outside!

How do you know if you are suffering from dehydration? Here are some pesky signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for.

• Dry Skin: your skin can dry out and immediately look tented. This means that it can look pinched and feel dry and clammy to the touch. You may also experience some redness and flushed skin as well.
• Bad breath: when there isn’t water to rinse your mouth with, bacteria from what you eat will stay on your tongue and teeth and start to smell. Plus, drinking water is an easy way to push plaque out of your mouth and produce more saliva which can help to eliminate the smell.
• Muscle cramps: do you feel that every time you get up to move around, your body feels stiff and cramped? This can be a sign that there is not enough water in your body to lubricate muscles, which is needed for their everyday functioning. If this is the case, make sure to go to an urgent care clinic for some medical help from professional doctors right away so you can feel comfortable again.
• A headache: your brain is made up of a lot of water, so you do need to drink up for your brain to work the way it is supposed to! Our doctors always recommend that
  to prevent feeling headaches or experiencing any fuzziness, you need to drink about eight ounces of water, eight times a day.

So the next time you are feeling off, go ahead and drink up! You may be dehydrated, and you will feel better in little to no time at all. More can be found here. Find out more about this topic here.