GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than you take in. Carnival Jouvert Morning Jump-Up is scheduled for April 27, with the Carnival Grand Parades to follow on April 30 and May 1, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, is advising the community to take action to prevent dehydration.
Dehydration is usually caused by not drinking enough fluid to replace what we lose. The climate with respect to very hot days, during a Carnival event, the amount of physical exercise you are doing (particularly in hot weather) and your diet can contribute to dehydration.
Anyone can become dehydrated, but certain groups are particularly at risk. These include: babies and infants – they have a low body weight and are sensitive to even small amounts of fluid loss; older people – they may be less aware that they are becoming dehydrated and need to keep drinking fluids; people with a long-term health condition – such as diabetes or alcoholism; and athletes – they can lose a large amount of body fluid through sweat when exercising for long periods.
Water makes up over two-thirds of the healthy human body. It lubricates the joints and eyes, aids digestion, flushes out waste and toxins, and keeps the skin healthy.
When the normal water content of your body is reduced, it upsets the balance of minerals (salts and sugars) in your body, which affects the way it functions.
Some of the early warning signs of dehydration include: feeling thirsty and lightheaded; a dry mouth; tiredness; having dark coloured, strong-smelling urine; and passing urine less often than usual.
A baby may be dehydrated if they: have a sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on their head; have few or no tears when they cry have fewer wet nappies; and are drowsy.
The body is affected even when you lose a small amount of fluid.
CPS wishes the community a safe and enjoyable festival weekend and to drink lots of water to prevent becoming dehydrated.
Consult your physician if you think you or your child is dehydrated.
For more information call CPS at 542-1122, 542-1222, 542-1322 and 542-1570; or emailsurveillance@sintmaartengov.
