Over the course of an average day, most people brush their teeth,
visit the bathroom several times and eat a few meals without much
thought. But studies show that many of us forget one important thing:
to drink a few glasses of water.
“The human body depends on water to help fuel its organs,
aide digestion, regulate body temperature and assist with tissue
development,” says Alexis Comodore, RN, CALA, Administrator
of Saint Barnabas Assisted Living at Lakewood, an affiliate of the
Saint Barnabas Health Care System. “You lose a portion of
this water every day, through your skin and breath, and when you
go to the bathroom. When you fail to replenish the necessary supply,
you not only experience discomfort, but you also miss out on several
health benefits that ample water intake can provide.”
“Older adults are more likely to fall victim to dehydration
because thirst declines with age,” states Comodore. “So
it’s important, especially during this time of year when the
temperature and humidity rise causing fluid loss through perspiration,
that older adults drink plenty of water whether they feel thirsty
or not.”
Older adults also run a higher risk for dehydration due to medications
which may dry out the body or simply because they may avoid drinking “too
much” to reduce trips to the restroom.
Comodore offers the following tips to seniors to avoid dehydration
during the warm summer months to come.
•
• Water can come from any beverage – juice,
coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks and even soup. “However, it
is important to be cautious,” states Comodore. “Caffeine
in coffee, soft drinks and tea actually boosts your body’s
water output, offsetting some of the benefits of taking in the fluid.
Also, the sugar in regular soft drinks may pose a danger to diabetics
or to those who are watching their weight.
• For those who want to try something a little
different, fruit juice mixed with club soda or seltzer water makes
a refreshing carbonated drink. And a twist of lemon or lime will
make plain water more appealing.
“With the exception of those who suffer from hyperthyroidism
or congestive heart failure, most people do not have to worry about
consuming too much water,” says Comodore. “However,
it is important to discuss your fluid intake with your physician
and confirm with him/her how much water you should be taking in
each day.” Heat exhaustion or heat stroke, asthma, dental
disease and several gastrointestinal problems may result from insufficient
hydration. Every person runs these risks, but older people must
be particularly mindful.
Your body provides some built-in safety measures to alert you when
your water level has dipped too low. “When water loss hits
1 percent of your body weight, you may experience symptoms of mild
dehydration, such as headache, lightheadedness and dulled thinking,” explains
Comodore. “Thirst kicks in after a 2 percent loss. At 4 percent
or more, severe dehydration sends your blood volume and blood pressure
plunging and may even lead to muscle spasms, dimmed vision, delirium,
fainting or a heart attack.” If you experience any of these
symptoms it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
Saint Barnabas Assisted Living at Lakewood, a 39-unit residence
affiliated with the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, is located
at 77 Williams Street in Lakewood.
For more information, please call 732-363-8505.
[ top ] [ back to news index ]
|
