Hydration and Your Health
- Tyane M.
- May 1, 2015
- 3 min read
As we approach the warm months ahead, it is important to be safe with your health. It’s that time of year that people are out and about enjoying the sun, catching up on yardwork, exercising, or just having fun. Do you know how to tell if your body is well hydrated or dehydrated, especially during those extreme heat periods? Find out more, below!
Water is an important part of life. Our bodies are made up of 50 to 75 percent water. We need water for proper organ function, body temperature regulation, waste removal, and for our joints to stay lubricated. Our bodies are phenomenal with losing water, as well. We lose water through sweat, waste, and even illness. As we lose water, we must replenish the water loss, by adding water. Lack of adding water to our daily life can lead to dehydration.
Dehydration is a serious condition in which the body loses too much water, due to excess sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Other symptoms include fatigue, extreme headaches, dizziness, confusion, and dark/little/no urine. Dehydration hospitalizes 200 thousand people each year, and results in 300 deaths. Dehydration is classified by mild, moderate, and severe, depending on amount of water loss. Mild dehydration results in five to six percent water loss, or less. Severe dehydration cases result in over 10 percent water loss, or more. If you experience someone or yourself with any of the symptoms listed above, seek medical attention immediately!
The recommended water intake for the average person is 64 ounces of water per day. This recommended intake is awesome for someone who is 5’6 and 150 pounds. The proper way to measure how much water you should consume is to take your current weight and divide by two. For example, a person who is 180 pounds, would need 90 ounces of water per day, to maintain their health. The 150 pound person would need 75 ounces of water. Check out the chart below, and see what your recommended water intake should be.
Stay away from caffeinated beverages like coffee, soda, and tea. Though they are made with mostly water, there are additives that will dehydrate you. Sports drinks are packed with electrolytes, but will also have the same effect if you aren’t careful.
My favorite way to make sure I get enough water each day is to infuse my water with herbs, fruits, and vegetables. I have a water infuser cup and bottle, chop fruit or vegetable of choice, and store in the infuser. I fill the cup and let sit for about an hour or two to let the flavor intensify, and enjoy! I have included my top ten favorite water infused combinations. They are:
You can find plenty of other flavor options HERE. What are your favorites? Please share!
Though water is the best source to keep your body hydrated, did you know there are lots of water soluble foods, too? If you aren’t a fan of drinking gallons upon gallons of water, here’s a tip. Fruits and vegetables, like grapes, lettuce, tomatoes, and broccoli have are made of 90 percent water, or more! Here’s another handy chart for those foods with high water volume.
So, how does this relate to hydrotherapy? Keeping your body hydrated will help the heart pump blood easily through blood vessels, and helps the muscles work effectively. Also, while being submersed in a hot tub, sweating is a common form of water loss. Replacing water loss from your body with water helps prevent sudden health issues like dehydration, heat stroke, and even heart attacks. It is best to drink one to two glasses of water before you begin hydrotherapy, and drink at least two glasses of water afterwards to prevent dehydration.
Have you considered hydrotherapy at home? At first thought, purchasing a hot tub could get pricey once you consider the cost, placement prep, installation, chemical purchases, and maintenance. There is one version of a hot tub that is portable, easy to install, eco-friendly, and even budget friendly. We like to call this tub the Softub. For more information, talk to a local dealer, or check out our website HERE.
We are offering free in-home demos at this time, and all appointments scheduled will receive a free spa duck. No strings attached! Go HERE to schedule your appointment, now!
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