| Hydration is essential to good health, to staying pain free, and to performing your best. Your body is made up of between 60-75% water. Water is used in every organ, joint, tissue, and cell in your body. Water is essential for maintaining body temperature, breaking down food we eat into usable energy, eliminating waste products, and lubricating joints. Water is the main component of blood, cerebral spinal fluid, muscles, and your brain. | |
Our bodies lose water all day long through sweat, breathing, and elimination (going to the bathroom). We must replace that lost water on a daily basis or we will become dehydrated and risk negative health consequences and even death (depending on the person and environment, you can live from a few hours to a few days without water before dying).
What are some signs of dehydration? Dizziness. Light-headedness. Headache. Dry mouth. Dry skin or eyes. Tiredness. Infrequent urination. Dehydration will also contribute to stiff joints (including stiff spine), weak muscles, poor digestion, poor circulation, and constipation.
How much water do we need to drink daily to stay hydrated and avoid dehydration? It depends on the person, environment, and activity level. Drinking 8 cups of water a day is a good start. Very cold and very hot environments both mean you need to drink more water. Being in the sun or an air conditioned environment means you need to drink more water. The more you exercise and sweat the more you need to drink to replenish what you lost.
How much water do we need to drink daily to stay hydrated and avoid dehydration? It depends on the person, environment, and activity level. Drinking 8 cups of water a day is a good start. Very cold and very hot environments both mean you need to drink more water. Being in the sun or an air conditioned environment means you need to drink more water. The more you exercise and sweat the more you need to drink to replenish what you lost.
| | Does drinking coffee, tea, soft drinks, sports drinks, and alcohol count towards our 8 cups a day? The easy answer is no. While some liquids will dehydrate you and some might help hydrate you, it's best to try to get at least 8 cups of water a day. The more you replace other beverages with water, the healthier you become. |
How do I know if I'm staying hydrated properly? If you are properly hydrated your urine will be clear or very light yellow (unless you are taking large doses of vitamins).
How do I know if dehydration is contributing to my pain? The only real way to know is to drink more water and get yourself well hydrated for a couple weeks and see how you feel. Did your pain decrease? Does your back feel less stiff in the morning? Do your joints feel smoother and more lubricated? Do you have more flexibility and energy? Does exercise feel better or easier?
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