Drink up during Tamworth Country Music Festival

24 January 2008

Staff at Tamworth Hospital are urging festival-goers to top up their glasses with water this weekend, as the Tamworth Country Music Festival draws to its climatic finale.

Excessive alcohol consumption and heat exposure can lead to severe dehydration, a medical condition many festival revellers overlook.

Hunter New England Health’s Health Protection Manager Peter Massey, says it’s not just alcohol, but the heat of the mid-summer sun which can cause dehydration.

“The excessive consumption of alcohol, combined with the warm January weather can play havoc with people’s normal alcohol and heat tolerance,” Mr Massey said.

“Everyone knows the adage about drinking water when you have a big night out to ease the effects of a hangover, but people seem to forget that rule when drinking during the day.

“Dancing, walking between venues – even standing in the sun will cause your body to perspire. It is imperative that you replenish that loss by drinking loads of water this weekend.”

Some tips for the weekend:

• Most people need between 1.5 and 2.5 litres of water a day – and more when it is hot. Freeze several water bottles the night before you head out. They will stay cool during the day, save you money and keep you hydrated.

• A maximum of four standard drinks per day is recommended for men, and two for women. A standard drink = 100mL glass of table wine; a 60mL glass of fortified wine; a middy of regular beer; or
30mL of spirits.
 
• Avoid topping drinks up - you may lose count of how many you have had.

• Substitute every second drink with a non-alcoholic beverage.  

• Split a taxi between friends during the heat of the day if it seems your next venue is too far away.

Contact: Emma Gibbs

Phone: 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767