Why Do Hot Tubs Dehydrate You?
There are reasons why a hot tub can dehydrate you.When you are in a hot tub, you sweat due to the activity that you are involved in.
Because of the exercises, you may find that you are dehydrated as long as you take less water than what you are losing.
This happens when you spend considerable time in the hot tub.
Additionally, as hot tub water is higher than our body temperature, by default, our bodies will try to regulate their temperatures when in a hot tub by sweating, and this can lead to dehydration.
But what is dehydration first? This is the process by which your body loses water.
However, when your body loses water at a rate lower than the one it is taking, dehydration cannot be said to have taken place.
Precisely, for dehydration to be deemed possible, your body must lose more water than it is taking.
This means the rate at which you lose water is more than the rate you are taking in water. This imbalance is what is called dehydration.
Therefore, it is advisable to know the signs of dehydration to ensure safety in the hot tub environment.
You know that you are on your way to dehydration when you notice your mouth is getting dry.You may also experience excessive thirst, headache, or dizziness.
When you get these symptoms, the wise thing to do would be to get out of the hot tub for a glass of water.
If you do not address this in a timely manner, it may result in severe dehydration.
Severe or moderate dehydration may pose serious health implications.
For instance, you may experience fever, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, or fainting. It is not uncommon to undergo listlessness as well.
Is Drinking Alcohol In A Hot Tub Dangerous?
The short answer here would be, possibly, yes. Sometimes, people have the urge to use alcohol when still using a hot tub. To a certain point, this does not pose any danger.
However, alcohol needs to be taken carefully when using a hot tub.
When you combine alcohol consumption with little uptake of water, you may be exposing yourself to the dangers of dehydration in a hot water tub.
The situation is direr when you spend much time soaking in a hot tub. Indeed, there is a danger of expanded blood vessels and increased body temperature.
When this happens, it may not be long before you start experiencing dizziness and disorientation.
When you take beyond a drink or two and continue to use the hot tub, you may get intoxicated.Intoxication occasions poor judgment.
This would be dangerous for someone soaked in a hot tub. Indeed, it is possible to experience drowning or passing out while in the water.
There are so many other reasons why drinking alcohol in a hot tub isn’t good for you.
For instance, what happens when you carelessly hold a glass, and it falls and breaks inside the hot tub? .
Undoubtedly, this is a recipe to be cut or injured in the process of trying to remove the broken pieces of glass.
SAFETY FIRST! Hot tubs and alcohol combined can cause dizziness, fatigue, etc. because they both dehydrate you! pic.twitter.com/NHDBluucTS
— Cal Spas and Jacuzzi (@calspasjacuzzi) June 21, 2017
Additionally, it is not possible to remove all broken pieces.This leaves other users of the hot tub vulnerable to cuts from the bottle or broken glass.
Do Warmer Water Temperatures Increase Hot Tub Dehydration?
Yes. Warmer water temperatures are a recipe for dehydration. Indeed, warmer temperatures of the water are more comfortable.
If higher temperatures are more relaxed, the temptation to take a longer time in the hot tub is higher.
This means that you will be taking more time in the tub at higher temperatures.
The relevance of this is increased sweating and consequent dehydration. Experts recommend a maximum of 20 minutes in soak time when the water temperature is set to 40° C.
It is a known fact that dehydration caused by water tubs is through excessive sweating.
Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to understand that setting your hot tub thermostat higher will only dictate more sweating.
Increased sweating means increased vulnerability to dehydration. Additionally, the rate of dehydration will be magnified even more when it is during any of the hot summer days.
However, you may wonder about the ideal temperature for a hot tub. Continue reading to get the facts.
There are diverse opinions that are fronted concerning the best temperature for a Hot tub. But it is best first to get an idea of what some of the hot tubs’ manufacturers recommend.
For instance, Jacuzzi, one of the leading and renowned manufacturers, recommends a temperature of 40° Celsius.
However, many users will find this to be too hot for a comfortable soak.
Still, other manufactures will go as low as 36° Celsius. You may personally have another opinion but what matters is, how hot is the tub for you?
However, the US recommends a temperature that does not exceed 40° Celsius. Generally, in the US, a 38° Celsius temperature is the most acceptable for any healthy adult.
Additionally, it is recommended that if expectant mothers use hot tubs, they must observe a maximum temperature threshold of 38° Celsius.
Concerning people who are taking any form of medication or are under any treatment, it is recommended that these should not use hot tubs.
But if you fall in this category and want to use hot tubs, you must ensure that the medication of treatment you are using does not cause any form of drowsiness, the level of severity notwithstanding.
On the other hand, people with a history of heart disease are advised against using hot tubs—this is the same case for people struggling with diabetes or blood pressure-related issues.
However, in the latter cases, it is best to consult a doctor before you conclude that you can’t enjoy a hot tub.
How Do You I Avoid Dehydration In A Hot Tub?
There are many dangers of alcohol as far as hot tubs are concerned. Consider, for instance, that alcohol can cause dehydration.
As people desire to have photos of them taken, seated in a hot tub, and enjoying their drink, they rarely consider the dangers that alcohol poses in a hot tub.
Alcohol contributes to dehydration. Unfortunately, the rate at which alcohol can dehydrate you is increased significantly.
If you must enjoy your drink in a hot tub, it is best to take re-hydrate yourself after you take it.
Again, you do not want to be intoxicated, so you cant take more than a drink or two. Intoxication, as already mentioned, is extremely dangerous when in a hot tub.
Again, if you set the temperature too high, you are courting dehydration. The hot tub’s temperature should not be set beyond the acceptable maximum.
You should also avoid taking too long soaked in the hot tub. If you want extended time in the hot tub, break your sessions.
During the short breaks during which you leave the water, take a glass or two of water. Alternatively, taking longer soaked in the water can be safer at lower temperatures.
Therefore, you may have the temperatures lowered significantly and enjoy your soak longer.
You may also consider staying out of the tub for some time after completing a difficult workout.
This is because, after a difficult task like running, you have your temperature raised high.
With increased temperatures, it is easy to have it skyrocketed in a short while.This will be a dangerous path for anyone to travel.
Additionally, expectant mothers need to use hot tubs with caution. Indeed, it is recommended that they should avoid hot tubs altogether.
They are grouped with babies and toddlers as high-risk populations.This is the same recommendation for those with pre-existing medical conditions.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition or take medication, it is best to have some in-depth talk with your physician before enjoying that soak.
How Should I Plan My Hot Tub Sessions?
As you focus on planning your hot tub sessions, it is always safe to ensure that you begin hydrated.
You do not want to enter the hot tub and then engage yourself in rehydration immediately! It is better to get into the hot tub when you are well hydrated as you begin.
This will be a sure way to ensure that you will not need to hydrate yourself the minute you enter the hot tub.
Peradventure your hot tub is in the open and faces the sun, it is best to install a shade or an umbrella.
This will be a sure way to reduce your desire to hydrate once you start soaking. Additionally, it is best always to start with a glass of water.
Once you get used to this, it will come as a habit and will go a long way in preventing you from dehydration that can knock you down any moment.
Starting hydrated is a great way to begin your soaking. However, it is even better to continue hydrated throughout your sessions.
As you continue soaking, it is good to have a bottle of water with you to take water as often as is required.
If you do not have a bottle of water at hand, you can still break from your soaks and get a glass of water every other time.
If you are using the hot tub with other family members at the same time, ensure that there is adequate water for each one of you.
As long as you have a water bottle at hand as you soak, it is a constant reminder of your need to hydrate.
Unfortunately, not all people love water. But there is always another way to have things done.
If this describes you, you may need to use some additives to make your water more appealing.
For instance, more flavors can be realized in water with a few slices of lime, berries, or even cucumber.
When you make the water more pleasant, you will undoubtedly make more of it.
On the other hand, if you are using your hot tub in winter, you will need a warm beverage with you.
You may resort to using herbal teas since they come as a perfect choice.
Additionally, they will ensure that you remain hydrated as you soak. Lastly, do you want to have snacks as you soak?
If yes, go for snacks that have a reputation for helping people to stay hydrated. You can go for fruits and/ vegetables as they come in handy in this.
Conclusion
The relevance of hot tubs today is immense. They come as safe havens for you to have fun and improve your well-being.
If you adhere to the above write-up, it will not be hard to create a safe environment for soaking.
Dehydration will be kept at bay by careful adherence to these wonderful tips. However, hot tubs are not inherently safe.
They can turn to be death traps if carelessly used. Consider, for instance, an intoxicated person who enters the hot tub.
He is a threat and danger not only to himself but to others as well. When you start your soak, it is best to ensure that you are well hydrated and stay so throughout the course.
The relevance of temperature in hot tubs cannot be overemphasized.
If the water temperature is high, it will occasion more dehydration as the body struggles to maintain a balance between its temperature and the temperature of the hot tub.
Consequently, the optimal temperature range for hot tubs should not deviate from the normal body temperature in a very big way.
If it does, dehydration will be increased drastically. Increased dehydration comes with increased risks in using the hot tub.
This is because not all people are keen to follow the instruction, which in many instances may appear like Sunday school notes.
All in all, it is essential to ensure that all safety precautions relating to hot tubs should be adhered to by all who wish to soak. This way, it will be safe for you and others.
Since you now are well informed of ways to remain dehydrated, it is best to practice these tips for the safety of many.
