But if dry air can shrivel up an avocado while left on the kitchen counter to half its size over the course of a few weeks, imagine what the dry does to a human body!
Well, yes, we humans drink extra water to make up for the loss.
But when our bodies lose water at a great rate, it is difficult to keep up with the water loss. The result.....dehydration.
The last couple of weeks have mostly been very hot, windy, dusty and dry.
Day after day, our afternoon humidity levels have reached single figures! Yes that is correct.... single figures. That's lower than aeroplane cabin humidity.
Coming from the sub-tropical coastal region of Australia I really didn't like summer humidity in the 90% zone, but 9% and below isn't much fun either.
In fact last Thursday afternoon humidity was down to 4%!
This is the weather of dry skin, static electricity and limp lifeless dry hair.
It is nice in that you don't feel a 'sweaty mess' or get that 'hot and sticky' feeling. But the heat becomes subtly problematic, as you don't notice perspiration as it evaporates too quickly. It's easy not to realise how much water the body is losing. Both water and salts that the body needs, are lost.
Children and babies are particularly vulnerable. We hear of occasions when a baby dies and we ask what caused the death. We are told 'the doctor said "the baby's body had no water"..... - the way of saying the baby died from dehydration.
Here in southern Botswana we are being told we are heading for the driest summer in 34 years. In a year when keeping hydrated is of utmost importance, we are also having the biggest access to water issues that this area of the country has faced since Independence almost 50 years ago. 4 days out of every week households and businesses and schools and hospitals have their water cut off to try to ration supplies. The main hospital in the capital city is not able to perform all the operations needed.
The local dams have failed (are empty) and almost all water is being piped to us from the north of the country via the 360km pipeline that is perpetually getting leaks and having to be shut down for repairs for several days at a time. Our village recently went for several weeks without water in the taps when people went to get a drink.
This problem is exacerbated by the fact that through urban migration, over a 1/4 of the country's population now live in the south east where the biggest water supply issues are.
Thankfully the property we live on has its own large tank to store extra water and we always keep a collection of full jerry cans at the house.
But this summer is predicted to be very challenging indeed!
So what are the effects on the body of dehydration which we have to be constantly aware of in our day to day lives here?
Mild to Moderate Dehydration – need to increase water and salt minerals
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Severe dehydration – need to get to hospital
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Thirsty
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Extreme Thirst
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Dry, sticky Mouth
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Irritability and Confusion
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Dry eyes – low tears
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Dry Skin that doesn't bounce back when pinched
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Dry skin
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Rapid heartbeat
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Headache
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Low blood pressure
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Constipation
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No tears when crying
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Tiredness or lightheadedness
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Fever
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Minimal and/or dark Urine
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No Urination for over 12 hrs
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Muscle Cramps
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In serious cases - unconsciousness
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In addition – low humidity in the air can cause:
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Irritated nasal passages and bleeding nose
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Inflammation of respiratory tract
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Increased risk of colds, flu and other infections
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Viruses last longer and spread more easily
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Dry Irritated Eyes
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Dry, scaly, itchy skin
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Cracked skin especially on the feet
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Our bodies are over 72% water and although the general rule is to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day (in addition to coffee, tea, soda or alcohol), we can often need to drink more than that to keep ahead of perspiration and evaporation in low humidity environments.
Our bodies also contain sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium and chloride salts which are lost through perspiration (and through vomiting and diarrhoea which can also cause dehydration), so we have to make sure we keep our salt intake up as well. (that is not just highly refined table salt, but through wet sea salt or himalayan crystal salt) Salt helps the body 'store' water as well as give it minerals for proper functioning. Eating lots of bananas and spinach and nuts that provide potassium, can help.
As we think about the need for our bodies to get enough regular water in dry environments, I am reminded of a spiritual parallel. If we don't take in enough spiritual 'living water' through time with God and in His Word, we will be spiritually dehydrated. We will get weak, tired, confused and our spiritual health will suffer. In a very spiritually dry environment, we need to be even more diligent to 'take in' spiritual nourishment and refreshment. Time with God in prayer and in the word and with other members of the body of Christ is vital. In fact prayer and time in the Word is a bit like the regularly needed water and salt, and good heart to heart Word-filled fellowship is a bit like a periodic high potency cold energy-packed fruit smoothie drink on a hot day!
Pray that we will be careful to remain physically and spiritually hydrated and alert to the symptoms of lack of hydration!
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