France is going to experience a major heat wave. To protect yourself and take care of your loved ones, it is important to recognize the warning signs of dehydration.
An exceptional heat wave will hit France this week. It is therefore important to know all the tips to best protect yourself from high heat and avoid heatstroke. If for our furry friends, tips have been compiled to prevent them from sweating too much, for humans, it is advisable not to wait until the last moment to hydrate. That’s why it’s important to know what the warning signs of dehydration are. A few have already been listed by a doctor on TikTok, but others are worth watching.
While the Ministry of Health recommends French men and women, of all ages, to drink “between a liter and a liter and a half” of water a day, well before the feeling of thirst arrives, vigilance remains in order. Your sensations, your gestures, your feelings… Everything must be monitored.
The first signs of dehydration
There are several sure signs when you’re not hydrated enough: feeling thirsty, dry lips, and sometimes a sudden feeling of weakness. However, other symptoms may also report this lack of water in your body. First of all, you may feel strong fatigue, headaches, but also fever or sudden weight loss.
Nausea and vomiting are also among the symptoms to check out, as is lack of saliva and decreased urine production. As to dizziness and racing pulse, these are again signs that should not be overlooked during heat waves. The elderly are most likely to be affected by dehydration, since they feel less thirsty than other age groups.
The most serious symptoms of dehydration
If dehydration has started to set in and your body is slowly losing water, certain symptoms appear. Very intense thirst, dry lips and tongue, skin that gets cold and marks more quickly when pinched. In the case of severe dehydration, the person may pass out, speak incoherently, or be disoriented and sometimes have episodes of seizures. You have to be extremely vigilant with your water consumption throughout the day.
What to do to avoid dehydration?
To avoid the risk of getting stuck on public transport or at home with any of these symptoms, you just have to follow certain rules. Avoid going out during the hottest hours, i.e. between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Plan a cool room in which to settle (like an office where you will close curtains and windows to prevent light and heat from entering). Drink a lot of water. If you want to exercise, watch your heart rate and drink before, during and after exercise. Avoid stimulating drinks like coffee and tea, which can increase your sweating and lead to water loss.
If you are a victim of dehydration, lie down, undress, drink and refresh your body. If the dehydration is more severe, it is advisable to call the Samu by dialing 15 or the fire brigade by dialing 18.
Children facing dehydration
What about babies and children during this period of high heat? Indeed, they are often the first to be affected by dehydration. Some symptoms are very easily recognizable: flushing of the face, prolonged crying, difficulty waking up, moaning, rapid breathing, etc. That is why with your baby you should not make certain mistakes. Starting with forgetting to hydrate your child. Indeed, if you breastfeed him also offer glasses of water. Same for the bottle, between those with milk, bring him a bottle of water.
During your travels, don’t forget to take water with you, to keep baby hydrated throughout the day. You can also give your toddler an oral rehydration solution (ORS) which provides the mineral salts lost during excessive sweating. It also rebalances the pH of the child’s body (regulation of blood acidity) thanks to these alkalizing agents.
Also avoid covering your child too much during the day (except in places where there is air conditioning) and do not hesitate to let them frolic in diapers or panties at home. The same during the siesta.