Beating the heat

As temperatures soar across the country this summer, the silent threat of dehydration looms large.

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Often overlooked, dehydration can lead to serious health complications, especially during extended spells of hot weather. Understanding its dangers and knowing how to prevent and treat it can make the difference between staying healthy and ending up in the emergency room.

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. During hot weather, this happens quickly due to increased perspiration as the body tries to cool itself. If this lost fluid is not replenished, the body begins to suffer the consequences.

Initial signs of dehydration include dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, and dark-coloured urine. As dehydration worsens, it can cause headaches, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, and in severe cases, heat exhaustion or heatstroke—both of which are medical emergencies.