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With summer’s sweltering temperatures upon us, it’s important to keep hydrated.
Dr. Greg Murphy, a sports and exercise physician at Valley Medical Group in Greenfield, said failing to do so can leave your kidneys less able to eliminate toxins and stop your body from functioning efficiently, leading to all sorts of unpleasant side effects, like fatigue and muscle weakness.
“If you’re properly hydrated, your kidneys will be able to eliminate toxins through your urine, and it allows you to sweat to maintain proper body temperature,” he said. “If you get dehydrated, you’ll fatigue, easily overheat, have muscle weakness, and, for athletes, see a decrease in athletic performance.”
So, how much — and what — should you drink each day?
Don’t get hung up on the often repeated eight-glasses-a-day water recommendation, Murphy says. The needed amount is different for everyone, he adds.
Just have water around, all the time, and consume it when you get thirsty.
And nevermind sports drinks, unless you are doing an hour or more of strenuous activity, he says. In that case, the electrolytes in a sports drink would be good, according to Murphy.
Otherwise, “Water is the best way to stay hydrated,” he said. “Water is the healthiest. There’s no sugar or additives.”
Murphy advises avoiding alcohol — it can actually dehydrate you a bit, and it reduces your thirst, possibly masking your dehydration. Drinks with lots of caffeine, like energy drinks and coffee, are also not helpful, he says.
The top signs that you’ve become dehydrated are dark-colored urine and a sensation of thirst. Salt-caking on your skin can also indicate dehydration.
— Tom Relihan
The College of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has received a $870,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a training program in substance abuse intervention for student nurses.
This project is one of 12 nationwide to be funded by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.
The undergraduate program teaches screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment.
The three-year project will be integrated this fall into existing psychiatric/mental health, pediatric/young adult and community nursing courses and will train up to 500 students.
The College of Nursing’s Donna Zucker and Sally Linowski, associate dean for student affairs and campus life will implement the curriculum in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team from nursing, public health and student affairs and campus life.
“This grant boosts the ongoing work of the university in bringing evidence-based practice to substance abuse prevention and treatment,” Linowski said.
Dietitian Alicia Walter is offering a series of free monthly nutrition classes at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, 146 High St., Greenfield. Though geared toward cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation patients, the classes are open to the public. The monthly classes generally are held on the first Wednesday of the month in Conference Room C from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The August class, “Learn to be Supermarket Savvy” will take place July 27 instead of the first Wednesday in August.
Pre-registration is not necessary. Contact Alicia Walter, 773-2197 or email Alicia.walter@baystatehealth.org.
To learn more about blood donation opportunities or to schedule an appointment download the Red Cross donor app, visit redcorssblood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) Walk-ins are welcome.
Thursday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Holy Name Parish, 29 Sugarloaf St., South Deerfield
July 25, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 319 Granby Road, South Hadley