Doctor reveals why milk is excellent for hydration during a heatwave
Neurologist Filip Đerke from Clinical Hospital Dubrava warns that dehydration becomes dangerous after several days of heat, and symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to fatigue.
Neurologist Filip Đerke from Clinical Hospital Dubrava warns that dehydration becomes dangerous after several days of heat, and symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to fatigue.
The heatwaves that have hit Croatia bring serious risks of dehydration, and doctors warn that after several days of high temperatures, the body becomes particularly vulnerable. As Index.hr reports, Filip Đerke, a neurology specialist from Clinical Hospital Dubrava, spoke about proper hydration and the hidden signs of danger.
Đerke explains that dehydration does not only manifest through thirst. \"Dull headaches, dizziness, and a state of confusion that manifests as poor concentration and repeating the same questions also occur. In more dangerous cases, there is severe dizziness and instability in walking, to the point that a person can barely walk due to dehydration,\" the neurologist stated, as reported by Index.hr.
The problem becomes more pronounced when high temperatures persist. According to the doctor, the body copes with the heat on the first and second days, but by the third, fourth and fifth days, compensatory mechanisms become significantly depleted. Food becomes harder to digest because digestion slows down, and headaches and forgetfulness become more frequent. \"These are symptoms we often attribute to fatigue, not dehydration,\" emphasizes Đerke. The doctor also notes that many people do not slow down their pace during the heatwave, which after several days leads to exhaustion.
\"At that point, the body has already exhausted its compensatory mechanisms. Sweating decreases, the heart races, blood pressure drops, and urine becomes concentrated and darker. Our brain feels it first,\" warns Đerke, as reported by Index.hr.
When it comes to rehydration, Đerke recommends several options besides plain water. \"We will always recommend water, but mineral water, i.e., sparkling water, can hydrate faster in cases of acute dehydration. Milk is also recommended, which rehydrates the body very quickly and well, as are isotonic drinks with electrolytes. We lose not only water but also electrolytes, and their imbalance causes neurological symptoms,\" he explains.
Tea with a little sugar and salt is also a good choice, while caffeinated drinks and energy drinks should be avoided because they act as diuretics. The doctor also notes that an IV drip is not always the best solution. \"If a person can swallow, oral fluid intake is a much better and faster way to rehydrate the body than an IV. Studies confirm this even in moderately dehydrated individuals,\" he emphasizes.
Although it is often thought that only older people are at risk, Đerke warns that younger people often overestimate their resilience. \"Older people tend to be more cautious, while younger people often expose themselves to exertion and become dehydrated. We have had cases of students in their twenties who suffered heat strokes with neurological symptoms, and the cause was precisely dehydration,\" concludes the neurologist, as reported by Index.hr, urging people to avoid going out and physical exertion between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. when temperatures are highest.
