DripDrop Hydration

For millions of Americans, traveling on airplanes has become a necessary evil. Though we recognize the time it saves as compared to other forms of transportation—cars, boats and trains—we dread the long lines, tiny seats, poor customer service and delays. Flying requires passengers to share limited personal space with others who may also be disgruntled, loud, and potentially sick passengers. This closeness, coupled with confinement in an enclosed cabin for an extended period, can pose problems for travelers during and after flights. One aspect of flying that travelers often overlook is their onboard health and, in particular, dehydration. Dehydration can cause nausea, cramps, fatigue, dry skin, dizziness, diarrhea and even a weakened immune system. Because aircraft cabins are kept pressurized with dry air (low humidity), dehydration affects a disproportionate percentage of travelers on longer flights. Realizing how dehydration can adversely impact a trip, it is essential

With winter just around the corner, Americans everywhere are beginning to dust off skis, snowboards, skates and hockey sticks in preparation for a busy sports season. Winter is a time for many spectacular outdoor adventures, though people often forget the importance of remaining hydrated.  It is a common misconception that the human body only becomes dehydrated during hot, humid months.Since the body is not overheating and any sweat quickly evaporates into the cold air, many believe that the body is not losing fluids and is not at risk for dehydration. In reality, dehydration is as much a potential risk in winter as it is in summer.  During periods of cold weather, the body’s thirst response slows dramatically—by as much as 40%—and this can occur even when the body is already dehydrated. The reason for this slowdown is blood vessels which constrict in the cold and reduce or eliminate blood from reaching the body’s extremities—lower body, hands and more. Due to this co