Stay hydrated this summer with tips from TrustCare’s Dr. Seale

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Dr. Daniel Seale, a phycisian at TrustCare’s Cahaba Heights location. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

Summer is in full swing, and that Alabama heat can be brutal. Whether you’re out for a run or mowing the lawn, it’s extremely important to stay hydrated—especially during these scorching summer months.

Keep reading to learn how you can spot the early warning signs of dehydration & how to prevent it in the first place.

Meet Dr. Daniel Seale

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Dr. Seale outside TrustCare’s location in Vestavia Hills. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

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Now, I’m not a medical professional. But when it came to learning more about hydration, I knew exactly where to turn—the experts at TrustCare. I sat down with Dr. Daniel Seale, a physician at TrustCare’s Cahaba Heights location, to learn more.

What are the best ways to stay hydrated during the summer?

Dr. Seale: “Obviously, the best way to stay hydrated is simple—drink water. Sports drinks, like Gatorade, work too. And since fruits and vegetables have a high water content, a lot of people increase their intake of fruits and vegetables during the summer.”

How can I check to sure I’m not dehydrated?

Dr. Seale: “One easy way to check your hydration status is your urine output. If you’re hydrated, your urine will be yellowish or clear. But if you’re NOT hydrated, you’ll notice that the color of your urine is much darker.

The biggest thing to remember is to be intentional about staying hydrated. If you’re working outside, force yourself to take water breaks.”

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Do you try to drink water every day? You should! Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

How much water should I be drinking per day?

Dr. Seale: “One of the old sayings is, ‘divide your weight in two’ when it comes to how many ounces of water you should drink in a day. So a 150lb person would drink 75oz of water.

Personally, I recommend patients to drink at least 48oz of water each day—that’s just three 16oz bottles.”

What makes it easier to get dehydrated?

Dr. Seale: “It’s not just the heat—many daily activities can easily dehydrate you. Cokes, coffee and tea all have caffeine, which inhibits your kidneys’ ability to retain water—making you urinate a lot more. In the summer months, you need to limit your caffeine intake.”

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Fruits and veggies are chock-full of water—which can help keep your body hydrated during these summer months. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

What are the warning signs of dehydration?

Dr. Seale: “If you feel hot, lightheaded or dizzy, you might be dehydrated. And if it gets really bad, your heart rate might go up because you essentially have less blood volume, making your heart work harder. “

At what point should a dehydrated person be brought to the hospital?

Dr. Seale: “If a person is feeling dizzy from dehydration, or if their heart rate is higher than normal, even after drinking water and sitting down—that’s concerning. If that’s the case, you might want to come in and have yourself checked out.

I don’t think you need necessarily to go to the ER. If you come into one of our clinics or another urgent care, we can certainly put you on fluids and make that determination.”

Stay Healthy this Summer with Help from Trustcare

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A hydration awareness event at TrustCare’s Vestavia Hills location. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

Want to learn more about hydration? Or pop-in for a quick wellness check? Reach out to the experts at one of TrustCare’s three Birmingham-area locations:

Have hydration tips? Tag @trustcarehealth on social media to let them know!

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Nathan Watson
Nathan Watson

Senior Content Producer + Photographer

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