THE HEAT 

If you are not sweating or urinating, is it a sign of dehydration? 

Did you know that after a holiday weekend, most people who consume alcohol are more exposed to dehydration? 

Drinking alcoholic beverages in hot weather can have serious consequences. During extreme heat, we sweat more, and drinking alcohol can cause us to lose fluids because of an increase in urination. This combination can lead to dehydration. The hypothalamus gland, located in the brain, plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s temperature.  

The human body usually can regulate its temperature through sweating until it is exposed to more heat than it can handle. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can escalate rapidly, leading to delirium, organ damage, and even death. While 2023 was the hottest year on record and led to at least 2,325 heat-related deaths in the U.S., more than 21,518 people have died from heat since 1999, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. 

Remember to look after yourself and your coworkers. If you notice they have not been drinking water, encourage them to stay hydrated; if you see that they stop sweating or show symptoms of heat exhaustion, make sure they take a break and cool down to bring their body temperature down. Consult with your supervisor to momentarily remove some safety gear while away from dangerous areas and while not around work in progress so you can cool down. Remember to gear up again with all your protective gear once you return to work. 

Water 

Water is the natural choice for hydration. It hydrates better than any other liquid, both before and during work. Water tends to be less expensive and more available than any other drink. You must drink 4-6 ounces of water every 15-20 minutes of work. That can add up to a lot of water! Water is the best, but it only helps if you drink it. 

Are you drinking enough? 

When you drink enough fluids, your body is balanced, and your urine will be pale and straw-yellow. When you have not drunk enough fluids, your kidneys try to save as much water as they can, causing your urine to be darker in color (more concentrated). 

Dark yellow urine indicates that you are dehydrated and must drink more fluids to prevent dehydration. Dehydration… happens when your body loses too much water. This occurs when you do not take in enough fluids or lose too much fluid from vomiting, diarrhea, fevers, or sweating. 

These illnesses cause your body to “save” fluids, such as those from your blood or other body tissues. 

By the time a person becomes severely dehydrated, there is not enough fluid in the body to send blood to your organs, and you may go into shock, which is life-threatening. 

Early signs of dehydration: 

1. Increased thirst 

2. Dry, sticky mouth 

3. Reduced urine output 

4. Dark yellow urine 

Moderate signs of dehydration: 

• Extreme thirst 

• Dry appearance in the mouth 

• Eyes aren’t tearing (dry eyes) 

• Urine has decreased to half as many times in 24h (usually three or fewer times)  • Urine is very dark in color (dark amber or brown) 

You feel dizzy or lightheaded.