Here's to Hydration - Drink Up!

How much water should we drink on a daily basis? There is really no clear cut answer because there are many variables involved, but the general rule of thumb is to drink about eight, 8 oz. glasses of water throughout the day. The amount greatly depends on an individual's general health and wellness , diet, activity level, presence of illness, regular use of certain prescribed medications, where they live (high altitudes, arid, dry climates), pregnancy, etc. It should become a habit to drink water at frequent intervals throughout the day, and not just to quench thirst, at which point slight dehydration is already present. Water is necessary to our survival and ensures smooth functioning of all body systems. It nourishes the skin, removes toxins and waste from vital organs, nourishes cells, and promotes fitness. Water should be the number one component of every diet, and it's especially important for weight loss because it helps to cleanse the body of fat and toxins being released in the process.

Water intake needs to be increased during exercise or sweating to replace what is being used by the body, as well as during episodes of illness that can lead to excessive body fluid loss, including vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Lack of water in the body can lead to dehydration, which occurs when the body doesn't have enough water to carry out normal functions. Common symptoms of dehydration include headache, excessive thirst, dry sticky mouth, fatigue, nausea, rapid heart rate, dizziness, decreased urine output or dark yellow urine, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, few or no tears when crying, sunken fontanels in infants, delirium, and/or unconsciousness in severe cases. Dehydration is especially critical in the very young or the elderly, and as we age our bodies are less able to sense dehydration and send signals of thirst to the brain. It's important not to wait for signs and symptoms of dehydration to occur before drinking water. Mild dehydration can be corrected if replaced reasonably quickly, whereas severe dehydration requires intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement to bring body fluid levels back to normal.

Adults and children who experience severe fluid loss because of vomiting or diarrhea, or who regularly participate in very strenuous or prolonged periods of exercise should re-hydrate with more than just pure water, which can result in an imbalance of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and phosphate) in the blood. Loss of sodium, or hyponatremia, is of most concern when replacing fluids with water only; Gatorade and Pedialyte are popular electrolyte replacement beverages widely available in addition to a variety of similar products developed to replenish lost electrolytes. Though it's not common, excessive water intake can lead to death in extreme cases, which has occurred to during water drinking contests and athletic events when a large amount of water is consumed in a very short period of time. As you can see, everything in moderation. Water is essential to our overall health and wellness, and general well being, and we can't live without it. If you don't like water, a variety of flavored bottled waters and flavoring packets are available too, just for you, so drink up!