Author : Bhadresh Bundela
Digestive System
The digestion of solid foods depends on the presence of copious amounts of water. Acids & enzymes in the stomach break the food down into a homogenized fluid state which can pass into the intestine for the next phase of digestion.
An "acid stomach" will respond to hydration.
Constipation is a frequent symptom of dehydration. Increased water, along with increased fiber, will usually totally eliminate a problem.
Gastritis, duodenitis, pain from ulcers (as long as the ulcer is not perforated), & heartburn all decrease with increased water intake. Water eliminates toxins & waste from the body.
Dehydration
When the body is dehydrated, a form of rationing & distribution goes into play to ration the available water. Since the body has no reserve system, it operates a priority distribution system for the amount that has been made available by intake.
The body's signals of dehydration are frequently joint pain, stomach pain & ulcers, back pain, low energy, mental confusion & disorientation. Numerous disease symptoms respond to increased water intake.
Water Retention
If you're not drinking sufficient water, your body starts retaining water to compensate for this shortage. To eliminate fluid retention, drink more water, not less. If you don't drink enough water to maintain your body's fluid balance, you can impair every aspect of your body's physiological function.
The Thirst Reflex
The "dry mouth" signal is the last outward sign of extreme dehydration. As our bodies try to adjust to being deprived of water, our thirst mechanism becomes disabled. The only time we receive the "dry mouth" signal is as the last outward sign of extreme dehydration. In addition, the thirst sensation gradually decreases with age. The result is increasing dehydration. As we start to give our bodies more water, the thirst mechanism begins to work again, but doesn't become fully apparent until our bodies are fully hydrated. When we are getting sufficient water, we're often thirsty.
Body Temperature
Water helps regulate our body temperature through perspiration, which dissipates excess heat & cools our bodies.
Breathing
We even need water to breathe! As we take in oxygen & excrete CO2, our lungs must be moistened by water. We lose about 1 to 2 pints of water each day just exhaling.
Asthma is frequently relieved when water intake is increased. Histamine plays a key role in regulating the way the body uses & distributes water & helps control the body's defense mechanisms. In asthmatics, histamine level increases with dehydration. Our defense for the body is to close down the airways.
Kidneys
The kidneys remove wastes such as uric aced, urea & lactic acid, all of which must be dissolved in water. When there isn't sufficient water, those wastes are not effectively removed, which may result in damage to the kidneys.
Joints
Water lubricates our joints. The cartilage tissues found at the ends of long bones & between the vertebrae of the spine hold a lot of water, which serves as a lubricant during the movement of the joint. When the cartilage is will hydrated, the two opposing surfaces glide freely, & friction damage is minimal. If the cartilage is dehydrated, the rate of "abrasive" damage is increased, resulting in joint deterioration & increased pain.
The actively growing blood cells in the bone marrow take priority over the cartilage for the available water that goes through the bone structure.
Rheumatoid joint pain frequently decreases with increased water intake & flexing exercises to bring more circulation to the joints.
Back
75% of the upper body weight is supported by the water volume that is stored in the spinal disc core. 25% is supported by the fibrous materials around the disc. The spinal joints are dependent on different hydraulic properties of water which is stored in the disc core. Back pain is frequently alleviated with hydration.
The Brain
Brain tissue is 85% water. Although the brain is only 1/50th of the body weight, it uses 1/20th of the blood supply.
With dehydration, the level of energy generation in the brain is decreased. Depression & chronic fatigue syndrome are frequently results of dehydration.
Migraine headaches may be an indicator of critical body temperature regulation at times of "heat stress." Dehydration plays a major role in bringing on migraines. Dehydration causes stress & stress causes further dehydration.
Pregnancy
Morning sickness is a thirst signal of both the fetus & the mother. During the intrauterine stage of cell expansion, water for the fetus' cell growth has to be provided by the mother. One of the first indicators for water needs of the fetus & the mother seems to be morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy.
1. Water helps carry nutrients through blood to the baby.
2. Water helps prevent bladder infections, constipation, and hemorrhoids, which are common during pregnancy.
3. The more water you drink, the less water you retain.
4. Dehydration can trigger contractions and early labor.
5. Amniotic fluid (mostly water) is replaced continuously throughout the day, so more water is needed to replenish the body.
6. Hydration is essential to good breast milk production.
Not only is it important to drink enough water, the quality of the water consumed is of paramount concern. Many studies have shown that water contamination risks are greatly increased in infants, due to their size and stage of development, with their brains and bodies being formed.
Water vs. Other Beverages
There is a difference between drinking pure water & beverages that contain water. Fruit juice, soft drinks, coffee, etc., may contain substances that are not healthy, & actually contradict some of the positive effects of the added water. Caffeinated beverages stimulate the adrenal glands and act as diuretics, robbing your body of necessary water. Soft drinks contain phosphorus which can lead to depletion of bone calcium. Soda contains sodium. Fruit juices contain a lot of sugar & stimulate the pancreas. These drinks may tax the body more than they cleanse it. A 12 ounce can of regular soda contains the equivalent of 9 teaspoons of sugar and loads of empty calories.
Other Beverages also contain dehydrating agents. They may actually reduce the water reserves in the body! Drinking other beverages to the exclusion of water also causes you to lose your taste for water. This is particularly true with children as they become dependent on Sodas & juices.
How much water should you drink?
A non active person needs a half ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. That is ten 8 ounce glasses a day if your weight is 160 pounds. For every 25 pounds you exceed your ideal weight, increase it by one 8 ounce glass.
An active, athletic person needs 2/3 ounce per pound which is 13-14 8 ounce glasses a day if you're 160 pounds. The more you exercise the more water you need. Spread out your water intake throughout the day. Do not drink more than 4 glasses within any given hour. After a few weeks your bladder calms down & you will urinate less frequently, but in larger amounts.
