MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Dehydration is one of the causes of heat-related injuries. Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much fluids as it should. It can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or both. The body’s normal cooling mechanism is sweating, but if your body doesn’t have enough fluid to produce sweat, the body will overheat.
Being aware of your activity before hand and hydrating for it will help eliminate dehydration. Whether it’s working outside on the flight line all day or doing PT with your unit remember to hydrate yourself the day before. (U.S. Air Force Photo Illustration/ Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Paul Kelley, 35th Force Support Squadron, runs his sixth lap on the Weasel's Den track during his physical training test Aug. 11. When temperatures reach higher than 86 degrees in the summer or lower than 20 degrees in the winter, members of the 35th Fighter Wing run their PT tests on track at the Weasel's Den. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airman 1st Class Jonathan Balgos, 35th Medical Operations Squadron, runs his final lap on the track in the Weasel's Den, completing his physical training test Aug. 11. The track in the Weasel's Den was built in 2009 to accommodate service members during extreme weather conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)
by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
8/12/2011 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Dehydration is one of the causes of heat-related injuries. Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much fluids as it should. It can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or both. The body's normal cooling mechanism is sweating, but if your body doesn't have enough fluid to produce sweat, the body will overheat.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, drinking fluids is usually a sufficient cure for mild dehydration. It is better to have frequent, small amounts of fluid rather than trying to force large amounts of fluid at one time (For example: using a teaspoon or syringe for an infant or child). Drinking too much fluid at once can induce vomiting.
Heat stroke is one of the most serious of heat related injuries and can hospitalize an individual for approximately a week. Some symptoms may be dry mouth, low urine output or urine that is dark yellow in color, not producing tears and sunken eyes. For severe dehydration, victims may appear lethargic or comatose. When you feel the symptoms of dehydration, try drinking water slowly or eating electrolyte freeze pops. Avoid sugary sports drinks, they can cause or worsen diarrhea.
Being aware of your activity before hand and hydrating for it will help eliminate dehydration. Whether it's working outside on the flight line all day or doing PT with your unit remember to hydrate yourself the day before.
Michael Green, 35th Medical Squadron Urgent Care Center medical director says "August is primarily the month heat related injuries occur in Misawa. This is usually due to active duty Airmen doing physical training and not properly hydrating. He suggests plenty of fluids prior to exercising and acclimatizing yourself to the ambient temperature, before working out."
