As the excitement for The XIT Rodeo and Reunion continues to increase, we should be mindful to ensure our fluid intake matches our excitement.
As the days get hotter, and as we spend more time out in the sun, the risk of environmental illness increases. Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, syncope (passing out), and dehydration/hypovolemia are just some of the few diagnoses we are at risk of in such a hot and arid climate.
What can you do?
- Drink plenty of fluids. How much? Tough to say person to person. I often tell patients who present with some of the diagnoses listed above to drink plenty of fluids until their urine is clear for several days.* (*assuming normal food/salt intake)
- Find shaded/well-ventilated places to rest.
- Limit alcohol use. Despite being a fluid, alcohol can contribute to dehydration.
Click here to view more hydration tips from the CDC. Please review and be mindful as you continue to enjoy the XIT weekend festivities. I hope everyone has a safe and fun time at XIT. Please reach out to heydoc@dhchd.org if you have any health-related questions you would like me to answer in the next blog post.
Stay healthy Dalhart,
Dr. Stone
