“It’s easier to prevent heat exhaustion and a heat stroke than it is to treat it.”
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Health officials in Nueces County are warning people to avoid excessive caffeine this summer, as the stimulant acts as a diuretic and may contribute to dehydration.
Shelby Pena, Coastal Bend Food Bank dietician warns “Energy drinks, I definitely do not advise on a really hot summer day.”
Those words of wisdom aren’t meant to burst your bubble but rather to bring awareness of the looming danger that may follow.
“Like iced coffee, like espresso, energy drinks have caffeine in them,” Pena said. “And caffeine is known to act as what’s called a diuretic, so it makes you — urinate a lot and that can be very dehydrating,” she said.
Those that excessively sweat or spend most of the summer days outdoors are recommended beverage alternatives other than water, like sports drinks that are sugar free or electrolyte packets for your water bottle.
“I would recommend water to hydrate, and then while you’re outside, having a Gatorade,” Pena said. “And then whenever you come back inside let’s get some water.”
Physicians warn that those who don’t heed these steps may have to learn their lesson the hard way. Dr. Kim Onufrak, a physician at Sure Point Emergency, talked about the increase in heat related injuries during the summer.
“We definitely are a lot busier,” Onufrak said. “Being right by the beach and with the tourists when they come, they are not aware of how hot it is,” she said.
“Especially with the humidity that we have down here,” she added.
Onufrak says we all have to do better when it comes to our water intake.
“As a population, we are probably not drinking enough water,” she said. “You really need to drink at least half your body weight in ounces and that’s just to maintain.
Pena stressed the importance of preparation in addition to awareness.
“Prevention is key,” she said. “It’s easier to prevent heat exhaustion and a heat stroke than it is to treat it.”