Preventing Dehydration

Preventing Dehydration

The Impact of Dehydration

1. Fatigue, Energy Loss:

Dehydration of the tissues causes enzymatic activity to slow down.

2. Premature Aging:

The body of a newborn child is composed of 80 percent liquid, but this percentage declines to no more than 70 percent in an adult and continues to decline with age.

3. Excess Weight and Obesity:

We may overeat because we crave foods rich in water. Thirst is often confused with hunger.

4. High and Low Blood Pressure:

The body’s blood volume is not enough to completely fill the entire set of arteries, veins, and capillaries.

5. Cholesterol:

When dehydration causes too much liquid to be drained from inside the cells, the body tries to stop this loss by producing more cholesterol.

6. Constipation:

When chewed food enters the colon, it contains too much liquid to allow stools to form properly, and the wall of the colon reduces it. In chronic dehydration, the colon takes too much water to give to other parts of the body.

7. Digestive Disorders:

In chronic dehydration, the secretion of digestive juices is less.

8. Gastritis, Stomach Ulcers:

To protect its mucous membranes from being destroyed by the acidic digestive fluid it produces, the stomach secretes a layer of mucus.

9. Respiratory Troubles:

The mucous membranes of the respiratory region are slightly moist to protect the respiratory tract from substances that might be present in inhaled air.

10. Acid-Alkaline Imbalance:

Dehydration activates an enzymatic slowdown producing acidification.

11. Eczema:

Your body needs enough moisture to sweat 20 to 24 ounces of water, the amount necessary to dilute toxins so they do not irritate the skin.

12. Cystitis, Urinary Infections:

If toxins contained in urine are insufficiently diluted, they attack the urinary mucous membranes.

13. Rheumatism:

Dehydration abnormally increases the concentration of toxins in the blood and cellular fluids, and the pains increase in proportion to the concentration of the toxins.

Drinking Water Alone Is Not Sufficient In Preventing Dehydration

Another important aspect of staying properly hydrated is to keep your Electrolyte Levels balanced, by replacing minerals lost during excessive perspiring, fever and bouts of diarrhea. (Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Calcium etc.).

Electrolyte deficiencies combined with dehydration show up in symptoms and signs like these:

·         Thirsty all the time

·         Restless or irritable feelings

·         Decreased skin resilience (rashes, uneven, or patchy skin)

·         Dry mucous membranes (dry eyes, or mouth, sore joints)

·         Sunken eyes and difficulty producing tears

"When you are hungry, eat. When you are thirsty, drink, and when you are tired, sleep."

Buddhist Proverb 

Adapted from The Water Prescription, by Christopher Vasey, N.D. (Inner Traditions 2006). Copyright (c) 2006 by Christopher Vasey.

Disclaimer:

The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care.