How can someone prevent dehydration?

Kritin, you remind me of another issue, during the winter most people do not realize that heaters to keep the home warm can also cause dehydration.

I've always heard that in the heat of summer, if you're active outside then you shouldn't wait till you feel thirsty before you start drinking water. Children can become dehydrated faster than adults, so I'm always careful to make sure my kids remember to drink often while they're playing outside.

Dear Loca, I think I understand your question. At first look it would appear that the answer is very simple: STAY HYDRATED! But the key to hydration is not simply drinking water but also it is important to maintain healthy balance of minerals such as sodium and potassium. Too much water can cause loss of these essential minerals. Our bodies are made mainly of water so our diet should include healthy intake of water, for example drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily will keep the body hydrated. But it is also important to recognize that caffeine, refined sugars and alcohol have dehydrating effects, therefore these should be consumed with caution and in moderation. Many fruits contain water as well, so keeping a good intake of fruit serving will ensure that your body is hydrating. For those people who workout daily, make sure to keep electrolytes in balance. I do not like Gatorade because of the sugar content and high sodium, but baby pedialyte can be consumed instead after a hard workout to replinish the electrolytes in the body.