_{by Dr. Ferdinand Esser, director and owner of Physical Therapy & Sports Chiropractic of Yorktown, PLLC, chair of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce’s Health & Fitness Committee and adjunct professor at Mercy College
July 2010}

Water is the most essential ingredient to a healthy life. The benefits of being well-hydrated include:

• Helps prevent muscle cramps in your child’s legs, hands, and feet -- and achy stiffness in their joints
• Boosts your child's physical and mental endurance
• Can prevent headaches. Tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches have been associated with dehydration
• Helps maintain alertness and a pleasant demeanor. Dehydrated children (and adults) tend to feel irritable and/or lethargic

• May decrease the risk of kidney stones
• Helps keep your digestive system working; Helps prevents constipation
• Helps prevent urinary tract infections by helping to flush away bacteria
• Helps keep eyes and skin moist and healthy
• Can help asthmatics breathe more efficiently, according to experts
• Dehydration interferes with how well the lungs function (thereby increasing the likelihood of an asthma attack)

Dehydration means that the body doesn’t have as much water as it needs. It can be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating (Due to heavy exercise or fever), Inadequate fluid intake, diabetes, too much sun exposure/burns, and relying on drinking “dehydrators” such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, juice and (adults) alcohol.
Babies and small children have an increased chance of becoming dehydrated because they have a high metabolism, their kidneys don’t conserve water as well as adults, and they’re more likely to get illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, children will often not drink or eat when they’re not feeling well and they depend on their caregivers to provide them with food and drink.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration in Children?
The child's initial response to dehydration is to complain of thirst and increase water intake. They’ll have decreased urination as the body tries to conserve water. The urine will become concentrated and more yellow in color. As the level of water loss increases, more symptoms can become apparent, such as increased thirst, dry mouth, cessation of tear production by the eyes, cessation of sweating , muscle cramps, darker urine, and lightheadedness (especially when standing). With severe dehydration, the child doesn’t seem alert, clear or able to speak clearly. They may suffer from nausea, vomiting and/or heart palpitations. They become dizzy or too weak to stand – They may pass out. At this point, severe dehydration is a medical emergency – Call 911 immediately!

Can Dehydration Be Treated at Home?
Dehydration occurs over time. If it can be recognized in its earliest stages, and if its cause can be addressed, then home treatment may be adequate. To prevent dehydration at home, minimize water loss by altering the diet of those suffering from vomiting & diarrhea. Monitor and control moderate fever, and attempt fluid replacement by giving frequent small amounts of clear fluids. Seek medical advice for proper monitoring of the condition.

“Drink to Prevent Thirst, Don’t Wait Until You’re Thirsty.”
Remember: if you try to drink a large amount of water all at once, your kidneys will simply flush the excess fluid by sending you to the bathroom. It's better to drink regular amounts of fluid throughout the day.
Each morning, pour the liquid you need to drink and make sure that by the end of the day, it's gone. That way, you won't forget how much you've already had. Do the same for your children (because they won't understand to keep track themselves. Remember: If they're thirsty, they're already dehydrated).
Make sure you and your child(ren) are well hydrated before exercising, especially in hot or humid weather. Drink liquids to replace liquids lost during exercise, and drink more fluids following the activity.

For More Information:
MayoClinic.com - questions and answers about "heat cramps," "heat exhaustion," and heatstroke"
KidsHealth - "What's the Big Sweat About Dehydration?" (information for younger children)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - discusses "Extreme Heat" issues, including heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rash. Offers suggestions for prevention; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - "Ground Water and Drinking Water"
Rehydration Project; http://www.rehydrate.org/
Your Body's Many Cries for Water - a book by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. This author, who presents intriguing and (some say) controversial views on the importance of water to the body, also is the main feature of the Global Health Solutions Website.
 ^ Bean, Anita (2006). The Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition. A & C Black Publishers Ltd.. pp. 81–83. ISBN 0713675586.
Medicinenet.com
Web MD “Dehydration in Children”, http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/dehydration-in-children-10154