{"id":1495,"date":"2019-05-08T09:32:21","date_gmt":"2019-05-08T13:32:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/?p=1495"},"modified":"2022-06-06T18:08:24","modified_gmt":"2022-06-06T22:08:24","slug":"dizziness-disorientation-loss-of-consciousness-the-dangers-of-on-the-job-dehydration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/dizziness-disorientation-loss-of-consciousness-the-dangers-of-on-the-job-dehydration\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dangers of On-the-Job Dehydration"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"m-entry__feedback\"><div class=\"m-feedback-prompt\">\n\t\t  <h4 class=\"m-feedback-prompt__header\">Was this article helpful?<\/h4>\n\t\t  <a href=\"#\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button m-feedback-prompt__social m-feedback-prompt__social_thumbsup yes\" data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:yes\">\n\t\t    <i class=\"fa fa-thumbs-up\">&nbsp;<\/i>\n\t\t  <\/a>\n\t\t  <a href=\"#\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button m-feedback-prompt_form no\" data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:no\">\n\t\t    <i class=\"fa fa-thumbs-down\">&nbsp;<\/i>\n\t\t  <\/a><br>\n\t\t  <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__display m-feedback-prompt__social yes\">\n\t\t    <p class=\"m-feedback-prompt__text\">Awesome, share it:<\/p>\n\t\t    <a class=\"m-feedback-prompt__social--button p-button-social has-icon facebook fa fa-facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/dizziness-disorientation-loss-of-consciousness-the-dangers-of-on-the-job-dehydration\/\" onclick=\"javascript:window.open(this.href,\n  '', 'menubar=no,toolbar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,height=600,width=600');return false;\">\n\t\t      <span class=\"p-button-social__social-text\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t    <\/a>\n\t\t    <a class=\"m-feedback-prompt__social--button p-button-social has-icon twitter fa fa-twitter\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/dizziness-disorientation-loss-of-consciousness-the-dangers-of-on-the-job-dehydration\/&text=The Dangers of On-the-Job Dehydration\" onclick=\"javascript:window.open(this.href,\n  '', 'menubar=no,toolbar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,height=600,width=600');return false;\">\n\t\t      <span class=\"p-button-social__social-text\">Tweet<\/span>\n\t\t    <\/a>\n\t\t    <a class=\"m-feedback-prompt__social--button p-button-social has-icon googleplus fa fa-google-plus\" href=\"https:\/\/plus.google.com\/share?url=http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/dizziness-disorientation-loss-of-consciousness-the-dangers-of-on-the-job-dehydration\/\" onclick=\"javascript:window.open(this.href,\n  '', 'menubar=no,toolbar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,height=600,width=600');return false;\">\n\t\t      <span class=\"p-button-social__social-text\">Google Plus<\/span>\n\t\t    <\/a>\n\t\t    <a class=\"m-feedback-prompt__social--button p-button-social has-icon linkedin fa fa-linkedin\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/dizziness-disorientation-loss-of-consciousness-the-dangers-of-on-the-job-dehydration\/&title=The Dangers of On-the-Job Dehydration\" onclick=\"javascript:window.open(this.href,\n  '', 'menubar=no,toolbar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,height=600,width=600');return false;\">\n\t\t      <span class=\"p-button-social__social-text\">LinkedIn<\/span>\n\t\t    <\/a>\n\t\t  <\/div>\n\t\t  \t<div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__display m-feedback-prompt__form no\">\n\t\t  \t<div class=\"thanks feedback-nodisplayall\"><h2>Thanks!<h2><div class=\"m-contact\"><p>Thanks for getting in touch with us.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t    <form id=\"contact-form\" class=\"new_support_request\" action=\"\" accept-charset=\"UTF-8\" method=\"post\">\n\t\t    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"authenticity_token\" name=\"authenticity_token\" value=\"6951482529\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1495\" \/>\n\t\t      <input value=\"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/dizziness-disorientation-loss-of-consciousness-the-dangers-of-on-the-job-dehydration\/\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenturl\" id=\"currenturl\">\n\t\t      <input value=\"The Dangers of On-the-Job Dehydration\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenttitle\" id=\"currenttitle\">\n\t\t      <label class=\"is-required\">Help us improve. Give us your feedback:<\/label>\n\t\t      <textarea class=\"p-input__textarea\" name=\"feedbackmessage\" id=\"feedbackmessage\"><\/textarea>\n\t\t      <label class=\"is-required\">Your Full Name:<\/label>\n\t\t      <input class=\"p-input__text\" type=\"text\" name=\"feedbackfullname\" id=\"feedbackfullname\">\n\t\t      <label class=\"is-required\">Your email address:<\/label>\n\t\t      <input class=\"p-input__text\" type=\"text\" name=\"mailinglistemail\" id=\"mailinglistemail\">\n\t\t      <div class=\"feedback-message\" id=\"feedback-message\"><\/div>\n\t\t      <div class=\"__submit\">\n\t\t        <input type=\"submit\" name=\"commit\" value=\"Submit\" class=\"p-button\" id=\"submit-contact-form\" data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:submit\">\n\t\t      <\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>Everyone knows staying hydrated is important. But not everyone really understands what\u2019s in store for them if they let dehydration take over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fluids are essential for regulating body temperature,\nlubricating joints and eyes, facilitating proper digestion, and removing toxins\nfrom the body. It shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise, then, that effects of\ndehydration are a lot worse than just feeling a bit parched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll clear things up by going over what\ndehydration does to your body. And we\u2019ll end with some practical tips for\nstaying hydrated throughout the workday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Hydration basics<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Dehydration happens when your body uses or loses more fluid\nthan it takes in. When it happens, your body starts running on empty and can\u2019t\ncarry out its normal functions. Lost fluids must be replaced to avoid an\nimbalance of salts and sugar in the body, which can affect performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The average adult has about 2.6 million sweat glands, which\nactivate when the brain determines that the body must be cooled down. This\ntakes a real toll on those whose jobs involve physical labor. Estimates suggest\nthat workers who wear heavy protective clothing can lose as much as 2.25 liters\nof fluid every hour. To replace it, NIOSH and the Centers for Disease Control\nrecommend that a moderately active worker drink one cup every 15 minutes,\nwhether they feel thirsty or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>How you become dehydrated<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a handful of key factors that contribute to\ndehydration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li style=\"font-size:16px !important;\">Environment<\/li><li style=\"font-size:16px !important;\">Physical activity<\/li><li style=\"font-size:16px !important;\">Health conditions<\/li><li style=\"font-size:16px !important;\">Diet<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Strenuous work in the sun, heat, and humidity causes you to\nsweat and quickly depletes your body\u2019s fluids. But that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re\nsafe in the winter: the same thing can happen in extreme cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dehydration can also be a constant risk for people who work indoors. Many factory, restaurant kitchen and laundry service workers spend their days in hot environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your hydration level is also affected by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Frequent urination (due to altitude or illness)<\/li><li>Quicker breathing, which uses up more body\nfluids<\/li><li>Vomiting and diarrhea<\/li><li>Alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Symptoms of dehydration<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay, so you\u2019re sweating it out throughout your workday but\nyou go hours without taking a drink. What happens next?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The obvious symptoms are thirst and excessive sweating, but\nthe more subtle signs of mild to moderate dehydration include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Dry, sticky mouth<\/li><li>Tiredness<\/li><li>Dry skin<\/li><li>Headache<\/li><li>Constipation<\/li><li>Dizziness or lightheadedness<\/li><li>Less frequent urination<\/li><li>Dark yellow urine (pale yellow indicates proper\nhydration levels)<\/li><li>Muscle cramps<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you suspect that dehydration is starting to set in,\nthere\u2019s a simple way to check: the pinch test. Dehydration affects skin turgor\n(its ability to change shape and return to normal). With your thumb and index\nfinger, pinch the skin on the back of your hand and hold it for a few seconds.\nIf it doesn\u2019t bounce back right away and takes time to return to its normal\nposition, you\u2019re likely dehydrated and need to replenish your fluids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If not addressed, this will progress into severe\ndehydration, the symptoms of which include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Irritability and confusion<\/li><li>Sunken eyes<\/li><li>Low blood pressure<\/li><li>Rapid heartbeat<\/li><li>Rapid breathing<\/li><li>Fever<\/li><li>Little to no urination<\/li><li>Delirium or unconsciousness (in serious cases)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>The realities of dehydration<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Dehydration is no joke. It can lead to serious complications\nand can be fatal if not treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some of the frightening consequences that can come\nfrom not providing your body with the fluids it needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Heat injury or illness<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Heat injury or illness can take hold if you don\u2019t drink\nenough while you\u2019re active and perspiring heavily. Injuries and illnesses range\nfrom mild heat cramps to heat exhaustion and life-threatening heatstroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Decreased cognitive and motor skills<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Dehydration reduces concentration and reaction time,\nresulting in decreased cognitive and motor skills. Studies show that it only\ntakes 2 percent dehydration to cause impaired performance in tasks that require\nattention, motor and memory skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This kind of impaired performance is risky for anybody, but\nit poses a particularly severe risk to workers who operate or work near heavy\nmachinery. A 2015 study out of Loughborough University found that participants\ncommitted a significantly higher number of driving errors when they were\ndehydrated. Shockingly, their performance was just as poor as that of people\nwho complete similar tests while at the legal blood alcohol content limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Urinary and kidney problems<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Urinary and kidney issues can arise after repeated or\nprolonged periods of dehydration. Common issues include urinary tract\ninfections, kidney stones and kidney failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Seizure and loss of consciousness<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Electrolytes like potassium and sodium help transmit\nelectrical signals between cells. If they\u2019re unbalanced as a result of\ndehydration, these messages can become mixed up and lead to seizures and,\noccasionally, loss of consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Hypovolemic shock<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most serious and life-threatening complications\narising from dehydration is hypovolemic shock, or low blood volume shock. It\nhappens when you lose more than 20 percent of your blood or fluid supply, which\nprevents the heart from pumping enough blood to keep the body running. It can\nlead to organ failure and requires immediate emergency medical attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Tips to stay safe<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The easiest way to prevent dehydration is to ensure you are\nconsistently taking in fluids throughout the day, even if you don\u2019t feel\nthirsty. While the recommended daily intake varies depending on age, climate,\nand physical activity level, workers should aim to drink about one cup of\nfluids every 15 to 20 minutes to replace what is being lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some other helpful tips to help you maintain good\nhydration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Avoid\ncaffeine and sugary drinks. <\/strong>These are diuretics and will increase urine output,\nwhich can cause greater dehydration.<\/li><li><strong>Come\nprepared for the conditions. <\/strong>If you\u2019re anticipating high temperatures,\nhumidity, heavy PPE and difficult work, come prepared with plenty of hydrating\nfluids.<\/li><li><strong>Wear\nbreathable, light-colored clothing.<\/strong> This allows sweat to evaporate and keep\nyour body temperature low. If your clothes become saturated with sweat, change\ninto dry ones as soon as possible.<\/li><li><strong>Eat\nplenty of fruits and vegetables. <\/strong>These are great sources of electrolytes\nand fluids. Opt for fruits with high water content, like melon, pear, pineapple\nand grapefruit. Bananas are high in potassium and are perfect for quickly\nrefueling.<\/li><li><strong>Monitor\nyour urine.<\/strong> If you\u2019re properly hydrated, you should have clear to light\nyellow urine. Dark urine indicates dehydration and you should increase your\nfluid intake immediately.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you or a co-worker exhibits signs of dehydration, call\nfor medical assistance immediately and move to a cool place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>How employers can help<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Employers must provide and maintain a safe working environment\nfor all employees. And that includes taking steps to prevent dehydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, numerous studies show that hydration levels have a\nstrong effect on workplace productivity. A one percent drop in hydration is\nenough to cause a 12 percent drop in productivity. At three to four percent\ndehydration, productivity plunges by an astounding 25-50 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With that in mind, here are some tips employers can follow\nto promote proper hydration in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Provide\nhydration education.<\/strong> Teach workers to recognize the signs and symptoms of\ndehydration and how to combat it. Reinforce the message with ongoing training\nand visual reminders, like posters.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Keep\nfluids accessible and available.<\/strong> Making drinks easily accessible encourages\nemployees to stay on top of hydration.<\/li><li><strong>Offer\nemployee incentives.<\/strong> Reusable water bottles or hydration packs may\nencourage employees to keep fluids with them at all times and remind them to\ndrink regularly.<\/li><li><strong>Choose\nthe right PPE.<\/strong> Ensure all protective gear is breathable to allow sweat to\nevaporate and help workers remain cool.<\/li><li><strong>Use the\nbuddy system.<\/strong> In addition to a manager looking out for employees, they can\nkeep an eye on each other.<\/li><li><strong>Have an\nemergency plan.<\/strong> A plan makes it simple and efficient to get first aid or\nmedical treatment for affected workers. Ensure everyone knows his or her role\nto avoid confusion in an emergency situation.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The best way to ensure you\u2019re functioning at your best is to get to know your body\u2014and listen to it. Pay attention to signs that you may be getting dehydrated and make sure you\u2019re taking in fluids at regular intervals throughout the day. Your health and well-being truly depend on it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Was this article helpful? &nbsp; &nbsp; Awesome, share it: Share Tweet Google Plus LinkedIn Thanks! 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