We are always keen to investigate unusual patterns in data. The dark blue line, from Meditrends™,  shows admissions to hospital with a main diagnosis of dehydration. There is an obviously large spike in July 2006.

The orange line shows Met office data for the average maximum UK temperaturefor the same time period, again showing a significant peak in July 2006. Although the average was only about 4 degrees above the normal July peak, records were broken for many parts of the country, with temperatures reaching 36°C in some places on the19th of the month.

It is interesting to note that there is no strong seasonal variation in admissions for dehydration. However, a single spell of extremely hot weather can have a major impact.