Am I dehydrated? - General Health Message Board

davemason2k · 03-12-2006, 02:01 PM

Hi, I spend alot of time indoors since I'm a computer programmer. In the winter months I have been experiencing symptoms of a dehydrated person. Sore throat,dry mouth,cough,rapid heartbeat,and at times trouble breathing. I'm 6'4 weight about 205 and work out about 30-45 minutes every other day. I've tried a Vicks Humidifier but it's not really making a huge difference. I have this cough that won't go away and my mouth feels soooo dry and I notice my heart seems to race after doing random things like talking or drinking a glass of juice. This wasn't happening in the summer months but once I closed the windows and turned on the heater these symptoms appeared out of nowhere. At first I thought I had a cold but it never went away. What do you guys suggest I do to help this in future winters. It's March already so I will be able to open the windows soon.

thanks

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Constant · 03-12-2006, 04:55 PM

The air gets very dry in the winter, especially when you are in a heated facility. A humidifier will help tremendously.

wiredqs · 03-12-2006, 05:16 PM

Have you tried changing the air filter for your heating system, you may have allergens trapped in there?

Scotch · 03-12-2006, 06:21 PM

If your really, really dehydrated then by now you would probably have bad headaches and cracking in the corners of your mouth.

You said you thought you had a cold, so I assume you may have taken some medicine. Many "cold" medicines have Guaifenesin and some form of Ephedrine (Pseudaephedrine, etc.) in them. These medicines can produce every one of the symptoms you've been experiencing and leave a person "feeling" very thirsty or dehydrated.

Also, if your stuck inside all winter (when opening windows too often will lead to raised heating bills) then you should get plants, lots of them and check the air filter like wire said. Drink more water, take longer showers (steam will help with throat and dry mouth)