Keep Children Healthy Through Hydration

A newly released study by the Harvard School of Public Health has revealed that more than half of all children and adolescents in the U.S. are not getting enough hydration, most likely because they are not drinking enough water. Water and sufficient hydration is essential for physiological processes such as circulation, metabolism, temperature regulation, and waste removal.

Lack of hydration and water intake can have significant repercussions on a child’s physical and cognitive and emotional functioning abilities. Even mild dehydration can cause health issues such as headaches, irritability, poorer physical performance, and reduced cognitive abilities.

Drinking enough water is extraordinarily important in Colorado, where we live at elevation and the climate is arid, dry and hot during the summer months. Make sure to bring water with you everywhere, and focus on having yourself and your family drink more water—at low-cost, no-calorie beverage—to improve overall health. Improving a child’s hydration status may allow them to feel better in general and do better in school. 

It is Hot Outside! Stay Cool. Stay Hydrated. Stay Informed.

As summer temperatures rise, so do the risks of heat related illnesses. Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion often begin suddenly, and may include: Feeling faint or dizzy, nausea, heavy sweating, rapid, weak heartbeat, low blood pressure, cool, moist, pale skin, low-grade fever, heat cramps, headache, fatigue, dark-colored urine. See these tips on preventing heat related illness from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and have a safe and cool summer.

Elderly people (65 years and older) and Infants and young children are more prone to the effects of extreme heat. Take precautions:

• Never leave anyone in a closed parked vehicle. Never leave infants or children in a vehicle, even if the windows are open. 
• Never leave pets in a parked car - they can suffer heat-related illness too. 
• Drink plenty of water 
• Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. 
• Call 911 or emergency medical help if fainting, confusion or seizures occur, or if fever of 104 F or greater occurs with other symptoms.

More information: 

• Download this newsletter article, “Keep Your Cool this Summer, Recreating in the Heat” provided by Jeffco Open Space and Jefferson County Public Health. Feel free to use in use in your publications. Thanks for helping to spread the word.
  
• Heat and the elderly: http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/seniors.html
  
• Heat and children: http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/children.html

>> Download CDC brochure

It is Hot Outside! Stay Cool. Stay Hydrated. Stay Informed.

As summer temperatures rise, so do the risks of heat related illnesses. Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion often begin suddenly, and may include: Feeling faint or dizzy, nausea, heavy sweating, rapid, weak heartbeat, low blood pressure, cool, moist, pale skin, low-grade fever, heat cramps, headache, fatigue, dark-colored urine. See these tips on preventing heat related illness from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and have a safe and cool summer.  

Elderly people (65 years and older) and Infants and young children are more prone to the effects of extreme heat. Take precautions:

• Never leave anyone in a closed parked vehicle. Never leave infants or children in a vehicle, even if the windows are open.
• Never leave pets in a parked car - they can suffer heat-related illness too.
• Drink plenty of water
• Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Call 911 or emergency medical help if fainting, confusion or seizures occur, or if fever of 104 F or greater occurs with other symptoms. 

More information:
                >Heat and the elderly: http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/seniors.html

                >Heat and children: http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/children.html

                >Download CDC brochure

It is Hot Outside! Protect Yourself, Family and Pets

Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of extreme heat, and must rely on other people to keep them cool and hydrated.

• Never leave infants or children in a parked car, even if the windows are open. 
• Never leave pets in a parked car - they can suffer heat-related illness too. 
• Never leave infants or children in a parked car. Nor should pets be left in parked cars—they can suffer heat related illness too. 
• Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. 
• Seek medical care immediately if your child has symptoms of symptoms of heat-related illness. 
• Drink plenty of water 

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/extremeheat/children.html