DEHYDRATION When does dehydration occur Dehydration occurs when

DEHYDRATION

When does dehydration occur? ▪ Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. ▪ Dehydration can occur by just simply going long periods of time without drinking water. ▪ Dehydration can also be caused by excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. Water loss is usually accompanied by a deficiency of electrolytes.

Dehydration Symptoms ▪ Thirst ▪ Constipation ▪ Dry mouth ▪ Dizziness or lightheadedness ▪ Fatigue ▪ Muscle cramps ▪ Infrequent urination and/or dark urine ▪ Bad breath ▪ Dry skin or skin that’s lost its elasticity ▪ Headache ▪ Cravings for sweets ▪ Altered mood, crankiness, or fuzzy thinking

▪ NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTIONS DECREASE ▪ Water makes up 75 -80% of the brain which is essential to neurological transmission. ▪ LEARNING ABILITY IS REDUCED ▪ Poor hydration affects mental performance and learning ability by reducing the brain’s ability to transmit and receive information. ▪ MENTAL PERFORMANCE DECREASES ▪ Dehydration decreases mental performance by 10%.

ARE YOU DEHYDRATED? LETS FIND OUT!

THE HYDRATION CHALLENGE

YOUR HYDRATION LOG q For the next 7 days, you will be recording the color of your urine to check your hydration levels. q Record the color number on the chart provided for you. q Record the number of ounces of water you drink per day. q Write about your experience checking your hydration levels. • What did you learn? • Were you dehydrated at all during the week? • Was it difficult to drink the recommended amount of water during the week? • Did you notice any improvements in your body? • What side effects did you experience?