Summer safety includes proper hydration Published Aug. 9, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Chad Strohmeyer 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Hydration is a serious issue, whether you are fighting in the desert or shopping downtown. In the last year alone there have been more than 100 hydration-related incidents at Osan, ranging from heat exhaustion to heat stroke. "When someone tells you to drink one canteen of water per hour during an exercise, you better listen," said Maj. Alan Anthony, 51st Medical Operations Squadron. "During heavy work our bodies can sweat up to one liter every hour. Your body can only go so long without water; if you don't hydrate enough, you will end up in the hospital." While dehydration is a common topic, over-hydration is often forgotten. "It usually takes around two weeks to happen, but people can over-hydrate," Major Anthony said. The results are similar: cramping, stomach discomfort, bloating and extra urine output. "While your body is urinating constantly, it also has to replenish electrolytes and sodium at the same time," said Major Anthony. "It's important to know this, because your body needs time to replenish. If you over-hydrate, your body cannot operate normally". This is where Meals, Ready to Eat comes in handy. MREs were created with an amount of sodium included to help the body suffering from an increased amount of water loss. As for the electrolytes, they are commonly found in sports drinks. Electrolyte drinks contain sodium and potassium salts that are used to replenish the body's water and electrolyte levels after dehydration. For more information on hydration, contact the base clinic at 784-2500.