Trailments: Dehydration and Heat Illness

2023-07-20

Welcome Back Trekkies! Take off your boots and stretch your toes, because we're back with our second installment of our Trailments Series! Join Sam, Katy, a creaky table, some aggressively rolly chairs, and the a/c that refused to be silenced by noise reduction techniques as we discuss dehydration and heat illness: just in time for the dog days of summer. Grab your water bottle and settle in for the crowning achievement of Katy's life--the opportunity to ramble about dehydration. We get an ...

Welcome Back Trekkies!

Take off your boots and stretch your toes, because we're back with our second installment of our Trailments Series!

Join Sam, Katy, a creaky table, some aggressively rolly chairs, and the a/c that refused to be silenced by noise reduction techniques as we discuss dehydration and heat illness: just in time for the dog days of summer.

Grab your water bottle and settle in for the crowning achievement of Katy's life--the opportunity to ramble about dehydration. We get an overview of what it is, what's happening inside our bodies when we're dehydrated, what factors may make us more susceptible, how we can prevent and treat it when we're heading out on trail, and how to avoid hyponatremia in our quest to stay hydrated. We also talk about electrolytes-- how they don't have to be complicated or expensive to help us absorb fluid optimally, and touch on the importance of proper prior planning when it comes to your hydration needs.

In a related, and terrifying vein, Sam takes us on a journey through the different faces of heat illness, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and heat syncope. Revel in the unrivaled cooling abilities of evaporation with us, develop new anxiety over what happens when it's too hot for our system to keep up, and learn how to treat heat illnesses. We also talk about heat rash and debate what exactly a groin entails.

Stay cool out there Trekkies. Keep an eye on each other and remember: if you encounter a hiker on trail who is naked and fanning themselves, don't judge. They may be trying to treat heat illness. You could offer help, but perhaps offer it from a distance, in case they're just weird.

As always, thank you! We're sorry. And you're welcome.

Do you know what a groin is? Send the answer, your love letters, questions, comments, or hate mail to:

highwatertrekco@gmail.com

Instagram @highwatertrekco

Facebook @highwatertrekco

Theme song "Ozark Stomp" by the talented Peter J. Lehman. Give him a follow on Instagram to find his singles and albums, and to keep up with what he has going on:

@peterjlehmanmusic

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