Dehydration can be a serious issue. Water and remaining hydrated is imperative for our health. Not only on hot days but for our kidney health, to lower our blood pressure, to remove toxins, and to prevent fainting in the hot, summer weather.
Lack of water can make you feel dizzy and fatigued. You may also find that you have a headache. It can cause problems with your digestive system and long-term effects can cause a range of health issues. Problems can even be at a cellular level. You can feel sluggish or tired, your mental performance becomes impaired, and it can result in chronic inflammation and many degenerative diseases. Add to this lack of energy and dry skin. That’s a long list of damage to your health.
Damages to your body
Dehydration, loss or lack of water builds in your body so if you do it often enough sometimes you are not even aware your body is deprived. You may find you don’t acknowledge when you are thirsty. Water makes up more than half of your body mass as blood, intracellular fluid, cerebrospinal fluid etc. These fluids help your body’s systems communicate better, remove toxins, transport nutrients and oxygen, balance your heart rate and blood pressure, temperature, lubricate joints, and hydrate your skin. If you suffer from high blood pressure take a look at this article as to how water can assist https://www.wellbeing.com.au/body/health/high-blood-pressure-forerunner-of-many-other-illnesses.html
Causes of dehydration
Some of the most common causes of dehydration are:
- Loss of fluids when you have diarrhoea or vomiting
- Intense sport and not drinking enough water
- Alcohol, drugs, excess coffee, and junk foods
- Disease such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and kidney disease or excess perspiration
- Extreme heat in summer, dryness in humidity or even too extreme changes in temperature.
How does dehydration happen?
Other ways water can become too low in the body are from allergies. Sometimes histamine levels become high and there is an imbalance. Digestive problems, acid reflux, and constipation are also signs that a person is not drinking enough water. If this becomes very bad it can lead to oxidative stress and even cellular damage. How many times have you felt down, tired, felt dizzy, light headed, headache, disorientated or simply had a foggy head and wondered why? Could it be you are not drinking enough water? Are you craving sugary snacks? It could be a sign that you need to be better hydrated. Another way to tell if your water level is sufficient is by the colour of your urine. If its light yellow or clear then you can take it that you are drinking enough water.
So, how much water do I drink?
The old advice used to be eight cups of water a day but with all the toxins in our foods these days, or if you have been exercising hard, are overweight and depending on your weight this can vary. As a rule, though try not to drink more than 2.5 litres a day unless you know you are losing a lot of water with strenuous exercise or have been told otherwise by a medical professional.
It’s always a good idea to keep a water bottle with you. Carry one to the car and with you to appointments. That way you know exactly what kind of water you are drinking and the purity level. Of course, filtered water is always better and avoid those plastic bottles that leach into your water before you drink it. It’s always a bonus to invest in a good water filter to remove chemicals and leave the minerals in there.
What about water type foods?
Remember it is important to keep up your mineral levels so eat lots of dark-green leafy and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, bananas and also fruits high in potassium. A good supply of antioxidants can be found in herbal teas and eating foods high in water such as cucumbers, lettuce, celery, tomatoes, zucchini and watermelon can also help.
Similarly, it is important to stay away from coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, deli meats and high-sodium foods, sugary foods and alcohol if you want to stay hydrated.
The best person to talk to about how much water you need is your natural therapist. Often it also depends on your salt intake also. For all issues relating to your health contact us at www.stressfreehealthmanagement.com
