NurseWise Reveals Five Groups Most Likely to Become Dehydrated

St. Louis, MO, July 01, 2015 --(PR.com)-- “Most people don’t realize they are dehydrated until it’s too late,” said Kim Tuck, RN, President and Chief Executive Officer of NurseWise. “Both our bodies and minds need fluids to properly function. When fluid levels become too low, some of the first symptoms you may experience are cramps, dizziness, headache, vomiting or disorientation. To stay hydrated, drink plenty of liquids every day, particularly if it’s hot outside.”

The following groups are at an increased risk for dehydration. If this includes you or someone you care for, fill up on fluids for optimal health.

· Kids: Little ones are the most susceptible to dehydration. The smaller you are, the more quickly you sweat out water and important minerals like electrolytes. Infants and children also are more prone to diarrhea and vomiting, which cause the body to lose liquids more quickly. Some symptoms to look for are a child who seems less active than normal, hasn’t had a wet diaper for three hours or more, or doesn’t have tears when crying.
· Aged adults: The older we get, the more difficult it is for our bodies to store fluids and adapt to changes in temperature. We also tend to take more medications and eat less as we age, which increases the risk of dehydration. Keep water handy and drink before you are thirsty to keep symptoms at bay.
· Individuals with chronic conditions or illness: Those with chronic conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease and heart failure may be at risk of dehydration. Even the common cold, a fever or the flu can cause fluid levels to go too low. Make sure you’re drinking a surplus of water if you are taking medication of any kind or aren’t feeling well.
· Climbers and hikers: As your body tries to adjust to the higher elevation, you urinate more and breathe heavier, increasing your risk of dehydration. The higher you go, the more dehydrated you can become. To make sure you aren’t at risk, bring double the amount of water you think you’ll need.
· Outside exercisers or workers: Don’t let dehydration ruin your day in the sun. If you are in the heat for extended periods of time, make sure you drink more fluids than the amount you sweat out. If you don’t, you have a greater chance of suffering heat exhaustion, heat stroke, seizures, coma and even death. Munch on ice cubes or swig H2O or a sports drink with electrolytes every 15 minutes to keep yourself feeling in top shape.

For more information about the dangers and symptoms of dehydration, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

About NurseWise
NurseWise is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation in the business of providing multilingual telehealth (nurse triage and health education) services. We partner with health plans, hospitals, providers, colleges and universities, and other specialty organizations to ensure all callers have access to high quality, appropriate care. NurseWise holds full Health Call Center Accreditation from URAC, an accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry, and Health Information Product (HIP) 2 certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), which both demonstrate our emphasis on continuous improvement and commitment to quality at all levels of the organization. Our services are designed to encourage individuals to become active participants in their health care, engaging in activities that promote appropriate utilization of care resources as well as better health outcomes for individuals and their families. We have provided uninterrupted service every day since 1995. NurseWise experienced Customer Care Professionals and Registered Nurses at our Clinical Care CentersTM across the country provide Care.Right.Now. through delivery of health information, education, and advice in a culturally and linguistically sensitive manner. NurseWise has locations in Tempe, Ariz.; El Paso, Texas; Tyler, Texas; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga.; and St. Louis, Mo. For more information, please visit our website at www.nursewise.com or contact us at info@nursewise.com.