At this time in California, there is a drought. It is a good time to reflect and be grateful for the reason why there is life on earth, water. It is estimated that more than one billion people on earth do not have daily access to clean water. Two weeks, NASA posted online its analysis on California’s drought was dire. According to NASA, the state of California has one more year of available water supply. Time to be grateful for the gift of water.
Drinking enough water is one of the single most important and easiest things you can do for your body. All of the body systems depend on water. Water is the substrate for all of the trillions of chemical reactions in all of the cells of the body. From the proper functioning of your heart and brain to the tiniest cell in your body, water is the essential ingredient for survival.
Water helps flush the body of waste, lubricates the joints and moistens the eyes mouth and nose. Because of this it helps contribute to our perceptions of sight taste and smell. Water is so vital that an adult human being has a mass that is 70 percent water. A newborn infant is 90 percent water. An embryo is 95 percent water.
Unfortunately, the body processes water very quickly. If water is not replenished into the body, serious health issues can occur. The most obvious is dehydration. Dehydration can have serious consequences including damage to the kidneys. Therefore it is wise to replenish the body’s water for optimum health.
Water reserves in the body are exhausted quickly. Up to 10 cups of water are lost in a typical human body in a 24-hour period due to perspiration, secretions and breathing. Exhalation is responsible for considerable water loss. Without constant resupply, the loss from normal body mechanisms will lead to dehydration.
Symptoms of dehydration include little or no urine, dry mouth, sleeplessness, thirst, headache, confusion, feeling dizzy and no tears. Another way to monitor hydration is by observing your urine. An abundant clear urine indicates good hydration. Dark colored and low volume of urine can reveal dehydration.
In an article in Newsweek magazine they recommend several steps to keep optimally hydrated. The first recommendation is to drink eight to 10 cups of fresh water per day. We have all heard this before, but the recommendation still stands. It isn’t easy to do but it is worth the effort.
Drink water right away when you wake up in the morning. Overnight through your exhalations while sleeping, you have lost considerable water. It is a good idea to drink early before thirst hits. You will be one step ahead of the game by starting early in the morning.
Keep your water intake slow and steady. Don’t gulp down water because you will just quickly urinate the reserves. Keep a steady pace throughout the day. For instance, a glass every other hour is good advice.
Adjust your water intake for exercise and exertion as well as temperature. Increasing intake by 20 ounces should you be in hot weather, or physical exertion. Another method of hydration is to increase water-based fruits and vegetables. Watermelon, tomatoes and lettuce are more than 90 percent water by weight.
If staying hydrated is difficult to remember, consider a schedule. You can have a glass of water in the morning when you wake up, at breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime. This can be particularly helpful because as we age the brain loses the ability to sense dehydration. This is one reason why dehydration is so common in the elderly. So drink up and be grateful, while supplies last.
Matthew McQuaid, DPM is a board certified foot surgeon practicing in Lakeport. He has a particular interest in Mind/Body medicine and its impact on healing. He is an award winning author and teacher. For more information call 263-3727 and visit www.drmcquaid.com.
