Seniors Matter(s): Dehydration

As summer returns, I felt the need to refresh my mind on the importance of drinking lots of fluids each day. Dehydration can be especially dangerous for senior health—don’t let it happen to you. I don’t drink as much water as I should, and I know I am not alone.

Have you ever felt headachy, nauseous, or experienced muscle cramps in hot humid weather? You may be experiencing dehydration, not harbouring some flu bug. And the cure is drinking a glass of water or, better yet, several glasses over the course of each day for better senior health.

Here are some signs of dehydration, according to the National Institute of Aging.

Fever with no obvious cause - Chronic dehydration can lead to adverse effects on senior health, some of them quite serious. According to a study from the Netherlands, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, chronic mild to moderate dehydration has been associated with several disease states, such as fatal stroke.

Sip it, don’t skip it - The Schols article suggests drinking 1.7 litres (about seven cups) of water daily. According to Schols, it is better for elderly people to drink small amounts on many occasions throughout the day rather than large amounts on only a few occasions.

“Drinking large amounts all at once can cause the stomach to expand which, in turn, decreases one’s sense of thirst,” the authors state. The kinds of fluids consumed are also relevant, they add. Broth, fruit juices, tomato juice, milk and sport drinks are recommended. “Excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks and high protein supplements should be avoided, especially during periods of dehydration as these drinks actually dehydrate rather than hydrate,” the authors warn.

Arnaldo Liechtenstein, physician, adds these thoughts: “Whenever I teach clinical medicine to students in the fourth year of medicine, I ask the following question: What are the causes of mental confusion in the elderly? Some offer: "Tumours in the head." I answer: No! Others suggest: "Early symptoms of Alzheimer's." I answer again: No! With each rejection of their answers, their responses dry up. And they are even more open-mouthed when I list the three most common causes:
 

• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Urinary infection
• Dehydration

It may sound like a joke, but it isn't. People over 60 generally stop feeling thirsty and consequently stop drinking fluids. When no one is around to remind them to drink fluids, they quickly dehydrate. 

Dehydration is severe and affects the entire body. It may cause abrupt mental confusion, a drop in blood pressure, increased heart palpitations, angina (chest pain), coma, and even death.

This habit of forgetting to drink fluids begins at age 60, when we have just over 50 per cent of the water we should have in our bodies. People over age 60 have a lower water reserve. This is part of the natural aging process.

But there are more complications. Although they are dehydrated, they don't feel like drinking water, because their internal balance mechanisms don't work very well.

Conclusion: People over age 60 dehydrate easily, not only because they have a smaller water supply, but also because they do not feel the lack of water in the body.

Although people over 60 may look healthy, the performance of reactions and chemical functions can damage their entire body.

So here are two alerts:
 

• Get into the habit of drinking liquids. Liquids include water, juice, tea, coconut water, milk, soup, and water-rich fruit, such as watermelon, melon, peaches, and pineapple; orange and tangerine also work. (Did you notice beer and alcohol are not included in this list?) The important thing is that every two hours, you must drink some liquid.  Remember this!
• For family members: Constantly offer fluids to people over age 60. At the same time, observe them. If you realize that they are rejecting liquids and, from one day to the next, they are irritable, breathless, or display a lack of attention, these are almost certainly recurrent symptoms of dehydration.

Inspired to drink more liquids now?

I certainly am. Share this with your friends.

Lemonade on the back porch as a long-time summer custom seems enticing.

I am tomorrow as a result of what I do today. DW

‘Till next time!