Extreme dehydration is a risk on hot days and can lead to seizures.

NBA presenter (National Basketball Association, in Portuguese) Bob Rathbun, 69, had a sudden illness during the broadcast of a match between the Atlanta Hawks and the Oklahoma City Thunders, last Monday (5). Rathbun was live when he began to spasm and fell backwards in his chair, losing consciousness.

The transmission was cut and, according to a press release, Rathbun was attended to quickly by the medical team and treated for dehydration. The diagnosis was questioned on social networks, due to the apparent gravity of the narrator’s situation, which seemed to have convulsed in the broadcast. However, the lack of liquids in the body can lead to serious consequences for the body and should be a point of attention in the hot season.

Dehydration occurs when there is a low concentration of liquid and mineral salts in the body, which can affect the functioning of various organs. It can occur due to inadequate intake of food and water and also due to the interference of other factors, such as vomiting, diarrhea, intense sweating and diseases such as kidney failure and diabetes.

According to nutritionist Debora Lima, dehydration can also be made worse when you practice high-intensity physical activity at high temperatures.

How to take care of yourself on very hot days

Heat waves have been increasingly common around the world, and on very hot days, with intense perspiration, the body tends to eliminate water and substances in high amounts. “Therefore, we need to stay well hydrated and avoid drinks and foods that increase dehydration, such as very salty and fried foods and alcoholic beverages”, recommends Lima.

It’s also important to seek shade to cool off whenever possible and maintain good water consumption. It is not recommended to practice physical exercises in these cases.

Some classic signs of mild dehydration are excessive sweating, dry mouth and headache and can be a good indication that you need to drink more water and eat healthy and natural foods. “One of the mild symptoms of dehydration is swelling, as our body uses fluid retention as a mechanism in an attempt to keep us hydrated, even when we don’t drink enough water,” says Lima. However, when the situation persists, other symptoms may appear.

Dizziness, weakness, blood pressure drop, mental confusion and even seizures are consequences of severe cases of dehydration. The general practitioner Vital Araújo points out that the lack of water interferes with the neurological functioning of the organism. “You end up not having as much blood to oxygenate the brain and it can lead to seizures and various other neurological symptoms,” he explains.

When temperatures are very high and the most severe symptoms of dehydration begin to appear, observed rehydration is necessary. Lima points out that the consumption of large amounts of water at once can be harmful.

In some cases, it is necessary to use rehydration serum, which can be found in pharmacies and health centers. “When this is not an option, there is homemade whey, which can be made with 1 liter of cold mineral water, filtered or boiled, mixed with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt”, guides Lima. This should be consumed in small amounts throughout the day.

When moderate to severe symptoms are present, it is also recommended to look for a health unit. Araújo also points out that when there is excessive bleeding or recurrent diarrhea and vomiting, it is important to seek medical help to investigate and treat the cause of these symptoms.

Extremely high temperatures associated with dehydration can be a risk even for hypovolemic shock, which occurs due to lack of fluid and reduced blood volume in the body. “This interferes with the functioning of organs such as the kidneys, liver and brain”, explains Araújo. In severe cases, it can lead to coma and even death.

In addition to avoiding situations that lead to excessive sweating, it is important to maintain a good hydration routine. Lima recommends “always carrying a small bottle close to you and trying to observe yourself to drink the ideal amount. And observe the color of your urine. If it is very yellowish or brownish, it could be a sign of different levels of dehydration.”