UKHSA issues Wednesday, June 24 heatwave health update

UKHSA issues Wednesday, June 24 heatwave health update Many of us will be trying to stay hydrated in the hot weather - but you need to be careful about how much you drink The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning over how much you should drink during the ongoing spell of hot weather. Temperatures are expected to reach 37C in the south of England today, which would beat the 35.6C June high previously set in 1976. That has understandably led to people drinking plenty of fluids in an effort to stay hydrated. People are urged to drink around 6-8 cups of liquid a day, with water cited as a 'healthy and cheap' choice. Although 6-8 cups is far from an exact quantity, it should be enough to leave your urine a 'clear pale yellow colour '. But the UKHSA has warned that drinking too much can actually make you feel worse. The warning read: "When it’s hot, hydration is key - but make sure you're listening to your body to avoid ending up feeling worse." It continued: "Did you know? Pee that is a pale, straw colour shows healthy hydration. Clear pee can mean overhydration, which may disrupt your electrolyte balance and make you feel worse." The NHS does clarify that some people may naturally need to drink more than others. People who may need to drink more include: - pregnant or breastfeeding - in a hot environment - physically active for long periods - ill or recovering from illness Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count as part of your daily intake. People are urged to avoid sugary drinks that are high in calories. People should also avoid any more than 200mg of caffeine a day. What is overhydration? Overhydration is when your body takes in more water than it loses. This can cause many health implications as it creates an imbalance of electrolytes. To sustain healthy blood, heart rhythm, muscle function, and other critical functions of the body, electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium must be in balance, experts at Brita say. Water poisoning or water intoxication occurs when you drink excessive amounts of water. This is when salt levels and electrolytes are reduced in your blood. It can lead to hyponatraemia, which is when the sodium (salt) level in your blood is abnormally low. Symptoms range from mild (nausea, headache, and fatigue) to life-threatening (seizures and coma) and depend largely on how rapidly the sodium drops.