Serious dehydration is something to avoid, it is dangerous and in some cases can mean death. Sports drinks are OK, dietitians and doctors say, because they replace lost electrolytes needed to keep cell metabolism stable. In hot weather, people should really be drinking about one large glass of water every 20 minutes if they are outside. So are fruit juices and milk. But such drinks are harder on the body than water, because the sugar they contain must be processed.
Serious dehydration can cause dizziness, disorientation, headaches, sweating and lethargy.
If the temperature cannot be brought back down quickly, death can result. Copyright 2000 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.