The importance of staying hydrated on the trail
As a truck driver, the last thing you want to do is make a bunch of scheduled or unscheduled pit stops along the highway. Many truckers intentionally slow down or control how much they drink throughout the day, often limiting their fluid intake to less than half the recommended amount.
It is important to realize that dehydration can cause serious health problems in both the short and long term. It’s also important to realize that not all fluids hydrate your body in the same way, and some can lead to an increased risk of dehydration.
dehydration symptoms
In addition to health problems, which will be discussed later, dehydrated people also have a number of problems that can affect their ability to be a safe and efficient driver. One of the key symptoms of dehydration is increased drowsiness and fatigue, both of which are problematic when you are driving professionally.
Other symptoms of dehydration include:
• Dry mouth
• Excessive thirst that may come and go
• Chronic types of acute or low-grade headaches
• Stiffness and cramps of the muscles
• Confusion and disorientation
• Dizziness, lightheaded feeling
• Difficulty urinating or strong urine
• Chronic low back pain (kidney area) as well as chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs)
It is very important to note that while these are common symptoms of dehydration, they are also symptoms of many other health problems. It’s always a good idea to have these types of symptoms checked by your doctor to make sure there isn’t another underlying health problem that can be caught early to ensure you have the widest possible range of treatment options.
The longer these symptoms are present, or the more dehydrated you are, the greater the burden you place on your kidneys and circulatory system. This can lead to an increased risk of specific types of kidney disease, as well as a poor immune response from your body.
The decrease in the body’s water content, particularly the cells of the organs and blood, decreases their ability to work, repair and function. Low concentrations of water in the blood can cause a condition known as hypovolemic shock that can be life-threatening. This can happen when your blood volume drops suddenly or over time your blood pressure drops dramatically. When this happens, blood does not circulate through the body, oxygen supply to cells is cut off, and the brain and central nervous system can stop working, leading to coma and, if not treated immediately, death. death.
How much is enough and what counts?
For the average person, drinking about 8 full glasses, which are at least 8 ounces in size, per day is usually enough if you’re not exercising or in hot conditions. However, if you are sweating or thirsty, you should drink more. For those who remove regularly or are in hot or dry conditions, drink more water and more often. This would include driving a hot truck or running with the window down if the air conditioning isn’t working.
If you’re trying to stay hydrated or experience the symptoms discussed above when you’re driving, don’t count drinks like coffee, energy drinks, sodas, or anything else with caffeination as part of your 8-glass total. The reason you don’t want to count them is because they contain stimulants and, in the case of soft drinks and some energy drinks, lots of sugars. Drinking these types of beverages can help with hydration, but then you’ll have to deal with the symptoms of excessive caffeine and sugar intake, which are often very similar to symptoms of dehydration. Also, the next time you’re tempted to grab a soda at the truck stop, take a minute and read the label. You’ll be amazed at the chemicals and additives in your favorite drink that you may not even know what they are.
Water, whether bottled or from the tap, is a great option to drink while driving. If you’re not a fan of water, try some of the new single-serving sugar-free sports drink mixes or water flavor packets that most people generally like. You can also drink sugar-free types of sports drinks that have added electrolytes that can help prevent cramps and many of the physical symptoms of dehydration.
Foods, especially foods high in moisture such as apples, watermelons, oranges, and grapefruit, as well as raw vegetables, can help increase your water intake throughout the day. These wouldn’t specifically count toward that 8-glass goal, but they’re a great way to add extra water and also give you a healthy snack.
A good habit, and one that is recommended by many athletes, sports doctors, coaches and coaches, is to drink a large glass of water just before going to bed and immediately after getting up. This simple habit ensures that you will always cover at least a quarter of your water intake needs and helps your body function effectively.