{"id":1500,"date":"2019-05-16T11:54:41","date_gmt":"2019-05-16T15:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/?p=1500"},"modified":"2022-06-06T18:08:23","modified_gmt":"2022-06-06T22:08:23","slug":"before-thirst-6-key-signs-of-dehydration-workers-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/before-thirst-6-key-signs-of-dehydration-workers-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Before Thirst: 6 Key Signs of Dehydration Workers Should Know"},"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\/before-thirst-6-key-signs-of-dehydration-workers-should-know\/\" 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\/before-thirst-6-key-signs-of-dehydration-workers-should-know\/&text=Before Thirst: 6 Key Signs of Dehydration Workers Should Know\" 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\/before-thirst-6-key-signs-of-dehydration-workers-should-know\/\" 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\/before-thirst-6-key-signs-of-dehydration-workers-should-know\/&title=Before Thirst: 6 Key Signs of Dehydration Workers Should Know\" 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\/1500\" \/>\n\t\t      <input value=\"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/before-thirst-6-key-signs-of-dehydration-workers-should-know\/\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenturl\" id=\"currenturl\">\n\t\t      <input value=\"Before Thirst: 6 Key Signs of Dehydration Workers Should Know\" 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>Dehydration is no laughing matter. In fact, numerous studies have\nfound strong links between dehydration and impaired mental and physical\nperformance, including in workers who are on the clock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think dehydration doesn\u2019t affect your business, think again.\nEstimates suggest that three\nquarters of American adults go\nthrough their day in a state of at least mild dehydration. This can result in\nanything from slight mood changes and productivity loss to serious job-related\naccidents that may have otherwise been prevented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article will give you a brief primer on dehydration and then run through six important early warning signs that you might miss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>What constitutes dehydration? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re going\nto recognize dehydration before it progresses too far, you first have to\nunderstand what it is and how it happens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Water is\nessential in the body. It flushes out toxins, aids\ndigestion, supports joint and eye movement, and keeps the skin healthy. So long\nas you\u2019re properly hydrated, your body has no issue carrying out these routine\nfunctions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But strenuous\ntasks, especially in hot and humid environments, can cause the body to lose\nfluids quickly. If those fluids aren\u2019t replaced, dehydration can set in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mild dehydration\nis defined as a 1.5 percent loss in the body\u2019s water volume, and symptoms\ngradually get worse as it progresses. A loss of 15 percent is enough to cause\ndeath. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Contributing factors <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>We lose an\naverage of 2.5 liters of water each day just through our normal bodily\nprocesses, like breathing, urinating, and sweating. But those who engage in\nhard, physical labor can experience a much greater fluid loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are four\nmain factors that contribute to dehydration: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Environment.\n<\/strong>Working outside in the\nsun, heat, or humidity can increase perspiration and cause workers to lose\nfluids quickly. Heated indoor working environments can have the same effect.\nAltitudes of 8,200 feet or greater tend to increase the frequency of urination\nand quicken breathing, which also uses up more fluids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Physical\nactivity. <\/strong>Strenuous\nactivities that cause workers to sweat and breathe heavily contribute to greater\nfluid loss, which can lead to dehydration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Illnesses and health conditions. <\/strong>Vomiting and diarrhea can quickly dehydrate an individual, while frequent urination from conditions like diabetes can cause workers to lose more fluid than they might expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Diet. <\/strong>Even though you\u2019re consuming liquids, drinking alcohol, coffee and sugary sodas actually contribute to the onset of dehydration rather than helping replenish the body\u2019s fluids. Caffeine can cause workers to urinate more frequently, while the body must work extra hard to process heavily sweetened drinks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While these\nfactors and their impact may vary from person to person, absolutely everyone is\nat risk if dehydration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>How dehydration impacts workers (and their jobs) <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Dehydration can have serious effects in the workplace. Numerous studies have shown that even mild dehydration can significantly impact cognitive and physical abilities. For workers doing tasks that require concentration, precision and good hand-eye coordination, even a slight loss in focus can result in a tragic accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To drive the point home, a 2015 study out of Loughborough University examined the driving abilities of\nvolunteers who were dehydrated. Shockingly, the study found their performance\nto be just as poor as people who completed similar tests while legally drunk,\ndue mainly to a reduction in concentration and a slower reaction time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It should come as no surprise, then, that dehydration can also be\na major drain on employee productivity. Research suggests that just 2 to 3\npercent water loss is enough to decrease energy levels by as much as 20\npercent. If 75 percent of American adults really are chronically dehydrated,\naddressing the issue has the potential to boost productivity in businesses\naround the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Dehydration symptoms to watch for <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, most people wait until they\u2019re thirsty to take a\ndrink. But the truth is that if you\u2019re feeling thirst, you\u2019re already in a\nslightly dehydrated state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Catching dehydration early is key to addressing it before it has\nan impact on cognitive and physical function. Luckily, there are many other\nsigns workers and their supervisors can be on the lookout for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Headaches <\/strong>are an early sign of potential dehydration. They are often\naccompanied by tiredness and light-headedness, and can be remedied within about\n30 minutes by drinking a tall glass of water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Urine color <\/strong>is one of the easiest superficial ways to assess hydration level. Clear to pale yellow urine is a sign of proper hydration. A light honey color suggests that you should re-hydrate soon, and darker yellow urine is a sign that your body needs water immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Excessive\nsweating <\/strong>isn\u2019t a symptom\nof dehydration, but it\u2019s a sign that you are losing a lot of fluid and may be\non the road to dehydration. If you\u2019re perspiring heavily, use it as a reminder\nto replenish by drinking fluids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Inability to focus <\/strong>is a key indicator that your body is running low on fluids.\nThe brain requires sufficient hydration to run at full capacity, and those who\nare dehydrated may notice short-term memory lapses and poor levels of\nconcentration and focus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bad breath <\/strong>is a little known, but important sign to take note of. A lack of\nfluids can prevent your body from making enough saliva, which can cause\nbacteria growth in the mouth and lead to bad breath. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food cravings <\/strong>arise for a variety of reasons, but one might be dehydration.\nDehydration can make it difficult for water-using organs like the liver to\nproduce glycogen, and this can lead to cravings for food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s completely possible to prevent dehydration altogether with good hydration habits. Experts recommend that workers consume about one quart of water per hour of active work, on average\u2014that\u2019s 3.78 liters every four hours. It\u2019s a good idea to get into the habit of taking a drink every 15 minutes, so you\u2019re consistently replenishing the fluids that your body is losing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Employers play a role in helping their workers stay hydrated. Consider: <br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Having water readily accessible at jobsites<\/li><li>Offering workers reusable water bottles or hydration packs <\/li><li>Enforcing water breaks for all employees <\/li><li>Holding hydration training sessions to educate employees about the risks of dehydration and how to identify it before it progresses too far <br><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter how you slice it, dehydration is an issue for everyone.\nBut knowing the signs and symptoms to watch out for is the best place to start.\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Was this article helpful? &nbsp; &nbsp; Awesome, share it: Share Tweet Google Plus LinkedIn Thanks! Thanks for getting in touch &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/before-thirst-6-key-signs-of-dehydration-workers-should-know\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1974,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false},"categories":[22],"tags":[1383,258,1369,1368],"yst_prominent_words":[1377,1350,1380,1373,1371,1375,1344,1379,1346,1378,1351,344,1372,1384,1381,1376,908,703,1374,1356],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1500"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1500"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1500\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1515,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1500\/revisions\/1515"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1974"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1500"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1500"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1500"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=1500"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}