When it comes to the dog days of summer, it is HOT! And it’s more important than ever to stay well hydrated. In this heat, dehydration can quickly lead to heat exhaustion and then progress to heatstroke. This is a very dangerous medical emergency that can involve strange behavior, agitation, disorientation, inability to sweat, and seizure. And even when we aren’t out in the heat, we lose water when inside air-conditioned spaces. Our bodies are made up of approximately 60 percent water which is vital for every single physiological function. And when we are even 5 percent dehydrated, our metabolism and mental processing slows significantly. Yes, I said it: Dehydration makes us stupid! So, if you have a mid-afternoon slump, try water instead of caffeine.

So, how do you know if you are hydrated well enough? There are two things to watch for every day. The first one is to observe the color of your urine. It should be the color of pale wheat, not bright yellow. It will be more concentrated the first time you void in the morning, but after that, urine should be pale. If it smells strong or looks too concentrated, you need to drink more water. The second thing to observe is the elasticity of the skin on the back of your hand. Pinch the skin and then let it go. Pay attention to how quickly it “snaps back”. As we age, we are less “snappy”, due to the loss of collagen. So, you need to know how quickly you snap back when you are fully hydrated and aim for that every day.