Dehydration

The answer is true. "Urine color is a useful screening measure of hydration status," says Douglas Casa, PhD, chair of the American College of Sports Medicine's Roundtable on Hydration and Physical Activity. People who produce urine that is pale yellow to clear are well hydrated, while people who produce dark yellow or amber colored urine may already be dehydrated.

The answer is true. You can avoid becoming dehydrated by following these tips from the Medical College of Wisconsin:

• Drink plenty of fluids: On average you should consume at least 8- eight ounce glasses of fluid a day;
• Drink sports drinks: They are flavored (meaning people will drink more of them) and are higher in sodium
• Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol: Both contain substances that will cause dehydration
• Avoid carbonated beverages: The carbonation may cause bloating or a feeling of fullness, in turn preventing adequate consumption of fluids
• Wear light colored, absorbable, loose fitting clothes
• Stay in cool, shaded areas and protect your skin with sunscreen

The answer is true. If you are feeling exceptionally thirsty, for instance, this indicates that you may already be dehydrated. Drink up!

Believe it or not, this is true. People who are dehydrated may also act like they are bored or disinterested. Other more physical symptoms include dry or sticky mouth, little or no urine output, inability to produce tears, sunken eyes, a feeling of lethargy, headache, cramps, or dizziness.

The answer is true. What one person needs for fluid and/or electrolytes can vary considerably from another person, depending on differences in metabolic rate, body mass and size, environmental conditions (such as temperature, humidity, wind, the amount of sunshine, or clothing worn), physical fitness, and genes. People also sweat at very different rates, and the levels of sodium in sweat vary as well. For an inactive person in temperate conditions, a daily intake of 33 to 67 ounces should be sufficient, say experts in the Roundtable document. For most moderately active people, daily water requirements usually range between 100 and 170 ounces, they note.