Do you drink enough water? Most of us don’t, and as we get older we get worse. Figures from the Clinical Nutrition Journal show that around 25% of older adults are chronically dehydrated. Somehow when it’s cold and wintery outside the prompt to reach for a glass of water seems even further from our mind.
Risks
Drinking enough fluid is vital to maintain good health in the short and long term. Importantly, it can help with alertness and concentration and help to prevent constipation. It is also associated with a reduced risk of urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and damage to kidneys which could lead to chronic kidney disease. Some studies have shown that frequent dehydration, even if mild, can lead to damage to the kidneys.
Signs
Thirst is one way we regulate hydration in the body. But when you drink, you stop feeling thirsty before your body is completely rehydrated. Urine colour is another very useful indicator. Your urine should be a pale straw colour which shows you are well hydrated. Dark yellow urine is often a sign of dehydration, but in a few cases may have other causes. If you are concerned, contact your GP.
Those of us living with dementia, diabetes and kidney conditions are most at risk of dehydration but as a general rule we should all be drinking six to eight glasses of fluid each day so it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve always got a glass of water in front of you. If you do find drinking that much water tricky then squash, fruit teas and even soup are all good ways to keep hydrated. It’s worth remembering that if we have a spell in hospital or in a care home we are at higher risk of getting dehydrated.
Do you drink enough water? Here are the National Council on Aging’s 10 reasons to keep well hydrated:
- Improved brain performance
- Digestive Harmony
- More Energy
- Weight Management
- Decreased Joint Pain
- Better Temperature Regulation
- Kidney stone prevention
- Healthier Heart
- Improved Detoxification
- Fewer headaches
The experts say the key is to starting drinking water when we get up in the morning and continue regularly throughout the day. Give a glass of water topped up and next to you at all time.
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