Thirst Quencher

[Steve C Cronin]

I think that PRV has the right answer, if you cannot handle the heat (it could be any Med country) your body cannot control its needs, it needs to be corrected one way or another. We had a heatwave a few years ago, temperatures hit 46c, some elderly Greeks in Athens died through having a heart attack taking cold baths, a lot of Greeks die through swimming every year (over 70s age group) you need to slow down, avoid AC if you can, Athens has dark rooms with aircon to help the elderly who cannot cope. I get fed up of stepping over tourists who have collapsed on the pavement in fur coats, their last words were, Thomson never said it would be so hot!

We've just bought a split unit aircon for the boat Davy. I hope to use it when we get to Ag. Ef. in a few weeks time!

 

[rustybarge]

Lime juice, bitter acid taste sorts your thirst; you British aren't called Limeys for nothing!

 

[Davy_S]

We've just bought a split unit aircon for the boat Davy. I hope to use it when we get to Ag. Ef. in a few weeks time!

The AC units are great if it is too hot to sleep, when we first purchased them for the house it was quite a novelty and they were used a lot. Now, we have changed completely and never use them in the summer, the reason being that they do not let you get used to the heat, once you move out of the AC environment it feels much hotter! We use the reverse cycle in the winter when its cold, they heat the house up very quickly. For me, a red hot shower just before we go out to dine seems to work better than a cold shower. You have to laugh at the tourists, they ask for more blankets in the evening because the AC makes it cold, they must have never seen an on off switch!

 

[pelissima]

Cool cucumber slices, spearmint tea. Helps me

 

[Cardo]

I can't recall whether I've seen it around here, but I've definitely seen it recently, so probably a good chance. Have a look for "Isostar". It's a powdered drink, you buy it in tins and a large tin will last you for ages. It's what I used to drink when living in Spain and doing lots of sports, replaces all the salts and fluids. They normally do two or three different flavours, but the best is orange. Tastes a lot like Tang.

 

[BurnitBlue]

I can't recall whether I've seen it around here, but I've definitely seen it recently, so probably a good chance. Have a look for "Isostar". It's a powdered drink, you buy it in tins and a large tin will last you for ages. It's what I used to drink when living in Spain and doing lots of sports, replaces all the salts and fluids. They normally do two or three different flavours, but the best is orange. Tastes a lot like Tang.

First stop the chemist this morning and the first question he asked after hearing my thirst problem was whether I also experienced leg cramps at night. I didn't but I have had them occasionally but mild. He said that they can be serious when minerals lost by sweating are not replaced.

Real cheerful, especially when he told me that some people actually wet themselves because the cramps are so painful they cannot get out of bed to pee.

I bought a small bottle of tablets (two per day) of potassium and calcium for the cramps I don't have (enough for a fortnight). Expensive at 14 Euro a bottle for a condition I am not suffering from. I will go to another chemist in a few days and stand my ground that it is "thirst" I am bothered about.

I will also Search out "Isostar" because seems to be the answer if obtainable locally. Thanks Cardo.

 

[BurnitBlue]

I think that PRV has the right answer, if you cannot handle the heat (it could be any Med country) your body cannot control its needs, it needs to be corrected one way or another. We had a heatwave a few years ago, temperatures hit 46c, some elderly Greeks in Athens died through having a heart attack taking cold baths, a lot of Greeks die through swimming every year (over 70s age group) you need to slow down, avoid AC if you can, Athens has dark rooms with aircon to help the elderly who cannot cope. I get fed up of stepping over tourists who have collapsed on the pavement in fur coats, their last words were, Thomson never said it would be so hot!

OMG. I was dreaming about diving in the water when I get launched in a few days. Perhaps I shouldn't. I may have to join the timid who gingerly creep down the boarding ladder.

I have not heard of anyone dying from diving in from a boat. I have heard of folk hitting a rock or a coral head. Very nasty abrasions. I did see a guy walking with a neck brace who said he was a bit tipsy one evening and took a running dive of his stern .. head first into his dinghy.

OTOH WTF we all die sometime. I will jump in instead of diving though. It's a lovely world and I love living in it.

 

[BurnitBlue]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have noted all of them and will follow up by searching the shops and chemists for the products mentioned.

It is heartening to read that others have solved the problem with their own self sought remedies. I will do the same, especially with the head start from the posters on this thread.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Heat = loss of fluids through perspiration = loss of certain essential salts + loss of fluid.

If accompanied by cramps, essential salts are being lost. Plain salt replaces missing sodium salts (sprinkle a little on your food). Tomato juice/paste (I'm, told) replaces potassium salts.

Drinking plenty of water does the rest.

If plain water is boring, scrape a little lemon zest into it. Lovely scent, very refreshing. By all means, go out and buy those lovely French and Italian mineral waters. But plain water will do . . .

If your pee is dark, definitely you're not drinking enough fluids to replace your sweat.

 

[Sailor54]

"Previously to this cruise, I sailed about five years in the Atlantic, then Caribbean and USA (Florida). I used to carry a crystal powder called "Tang" an American dried orange that is mixed with water (one or two teaspoons to taste) and that worked very well. I haven't seen it for sale anywhere since. It was an American product."

Hi this still exists and is available via Amazon. Alan

 

[vyv_cox]

If accompanied by cramps, essential salts are being lost. Plain salt replaces missing sodium salts (sprinkle a little on your food). Tomato juice/paste (I'm, told) replaces potassium salts.

My GP recommended bananas for potassium supplement.

 

[temptress]

I have a continuous thirst all the time while in Greece during the summer. I recall folk saying that plain Tea is a good thirst quencher. Not for me, too hot to brew it and drink it and no patience to wait a few hours to cool. I don't have Diabetes so I guess it is just the heat that causes my thirst. I have tried Water, and coffee and Tea, with no long lasting relief. Fruit juice is Ok but expensive to drink all day, beer is out of the question as I would be legless by noon. Coke and Sprite is the worse as it only gives a temporary (but very pleasant) respite only to return after a few minutes worse than before.

Can anyone recommend a long lasting thirst quencher please. Obtainable in Greece. What the heck do Greeks drink?

Just had a thought that maybe I am the only one who suffers this continual thirst.

Hi plain water at room tempwrature is best. I have done a lot of work in the Desert and these symptoms are not uncommon sounds like building dehydration. Usually due to a lack of salts in the body.


Read further up the post someone recommend Isostar. I carry some of that on board and use it when I've been working in the heat �� to Rehydrate. Any Isotonic drink will help replace the salts but check the ingredients first some of the sports drinks contain stuff you don't want to have too much of. YOU CAN also add table salt and sugar to water. Have a look online.

 

[NickTrevethan]

I am also thinking that the brain demands more liquid because there is something missing in plane water that the brain thinks I need while plain water, coke, Sprite etc does not contain this stuff. Salts, come to mind, potassium, manganese or some thing like that. I think I take in enough salts via food but maybe not. Certainly I sweat a lot more in Greece than in Northern Europe.

Next time I am in town I will ask at the chemist if there is a sensible supplement. Maybe there isn't one known to him as Greeks have a metabolism that copes with this climate without the need for supplements.

Any way this thirst problem is not cronic just uncomfortable. The more I think about this the more I think that Greek water does not supply the minerals my body needs hence the constant thirst.

You can by isontonic drinks and rehydration sachets in most chemists. The saches are ood after an attack of food poisonng and you pumped every last drop of fluid out of you.

I spent 8 years in SIngapore. Very hot, very humid, you sweat real fast - running 3km you can drop 1-2 kilograms in lost water weight if you don't drink.

The secret is drink a little and often - Don't do the camel thing that you are describing. Adding some orange or lemon wedges can help the water taste more satisfying.

Salt could a factor as you point out. I found I used more salt out there tha here, just because I aws sweating so much out. During/after a run a small pinch of salt in a litre of water with a lemon in it was very helpful.
That said you may also be thirsty because of too much salt!

Last thing to think about is geting a diabetes check- that can cause perpetual thirstiness I believe.

Of course the best cure is really cold beer, in suitably large quantities