Dehydration can kill people, especially with the high temperatures experienced at the moment, says North West Hospital and Health Service Acting Emergency Department Director, Dr Asim Cheema.
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“Dehydration and subsequent heatstroke can sneak up on you without the person realising it, but it can be deadly.
“The person can actually get past the point of being able to take in water, and that’s a sure sign they’re suffering heatstroke,” Dr Cheema said.
People working outside in the heat, such as graziers, fencers, manual labourers should all be drinking more water than they think they need, at least two to four litres a day, and another one to two litres for every hour working in the heat and sun.
Children and people over 60 are more susceptible to dehydration. Remedy dehydration with water and sports drinks which help restore electrolytes but don’t drink caffeinated tea or coffee, alcohol or soda.
For suspected cases of dehydration or heat stroke, it is important to call for help, Dr Cheema said. “While waiting for help, the patient should be moved to a cool place, lying down; their clothes removed and their body gently cooled with water and fanned to simulate sweating.