Dehydration - Not to be taken lightly!

I found out the hard way that dehydration is serious! I just didn’t realize how easy this can happen and how sudden, or how seemingly sudden! I’m very active at the salon with walking back and forth and standing all day but I don’t get my heart rate up. I get my regular check-ups, breast and PAPs etc. and am very healthy. Although looking back on the past few weeks and even months I realize that I hadn’t been drinking water much and some days not at all! I got my wake up call loud and clear that dehydration is not to be taken lightly – at all!
I am 51 years old and think I am close to menopause. I haven’t skipped or stopped my periods but I’ve been experiencing a few hot flashes especially at night and nothing bad just uncomfortable for a few minutes. I wake up at night and have never ever done that before, I love my sleep! Another symptom I’ve been having is forgetfulness or hazy thinking…I don’t like that but I figure its part of the process…Well not always! Dehydration can have much of the same symptoms! I have to shamefully admit that I do not drink much water at all. I often work 8 hours straight and not pee once! I am booked with haircuts and colors so tight that I skip brakes a lot and when I do have a break we have a Star Bucks coffee machine at the salon and to keep up my pace that’s what I usually grab to drink. Coffee is a strong diuretic and compounds my dehydration! I’m comparing menopause symptoms to dehydration symptoms because they are similar. I’m wondering how many women are just dehydrated when they say they are so tired all the time or that they are so ditzy, scatter brained and forgetful.

Note to self:

Dearest Becci,
Take care of yourself – please! You are a valuable soul, a shining star and you still have to much left to do and offer this world to waste it by neglect. Your body is a gift from God. Respecting it is only right. It’s an honor and your duty to take care of your body (gift). Eat well, drink lots of water, exercise and get plenty of good sleep. This is the stuff you were taught in grade school, the good ole’ basics! Nothing you don’t know! If you are too busy to take care of yourself and to say thank you, you are too busy.

Love, Becci

WebMD.com says: Without water the body begins to shut down. Symptoms of severe dehydration include altered behavior, such as severe anxiety, confusion, sleepiness or not being able to stay awake; faintness that is not relieved by lying down; an inability to stand or walk; rapid breathing; a weak, rapid pulse; and loss of consciousness. Unfortunately, thirst isn't always a reliable gauge of the body's need for water, especially in children and older adults. A better barometer is the color of your urine: Clear or light-colored urine means you're well hydrated, whereas a dark yellow or amber color usually signals dehydration.

When to see a doctor:

If you're a healthy adult, you can usually treat mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids. Get immediate medical care if you develop severe signs and symptoms such as extreme thirst, no urination for eight hours, shriveled skin, dizziness and confusion.

Symptoms:

Mild to moderate dehydration is likely to cause:
• Dry, sticky mouth - Yes
• Sleepiness or tiredness -YES!
• Thirst – Not usually. Seems like I would but I guess I’m thinking and visiting so much I don’t realize.
• Decreased urine output - yes
• Few or no tears when crying – Not a problem
• Muscle weakness - yes
• Headache - Sometimes
• Dizziness or lightheadedness – Sometimes

Severe dehydration, a medical emergency, can cause:

• Extreme thirst – Not really
• Extreme fussiness or sleepiness; irritability and confusion - Yes
• Very dry mouth, skin and mucous membranes - Yes
• Lack of sweating - Yes
• Little or no urination — any urine that is produced will be dark yellow or amber - Yes
• Sunken eyes - No
• Shriveled and dry skin that lacks elasticity and doesn't "bounce back" when pinched into a fold – Yes, though it was from getting older…
• Low blood pressure - No
• Rapid heartbeat - Yes
• Fever - No
• In the most serious cases, delirium or unconsciousness – YES! I fainted at the restaurant! I was so embarrassed! This is woke me up to the fact that I was not taking care of me!

~Please stay healthy~