Got Water?

Water is very vital to sustaining life. As a matter of fact, 60% of our total body weight derives from water. Drinking water nourishes the cells in our body, it provides adequate hydration to our body, assist the digestive tract in eliminate digestive waste in the gastrointestinal tract, which is a great way to prevent constipation. According to the National Institute of Health Survey, approximately over 4 million people in the United States have frequent constipation, roughly about 2% of the population.

Water therapy can provide adequate hydration to improve dizziness and headaches from dehydration. The symbol for water is H20. Taking a bath twice a day with water relieves stress on the body. Remember, without water, there will be no life.

Moreover, for dehydrated patients in hospitals, hydration with either dextrose or saline solutions( NaCl) are methods used to reverse the effects of dehydration and slowly improves patient status towards achieving optimal health. For example, hydrating a patient with Intravenous fluids assists in the replenishment of dehydration in clinical diagnoses such with diarrhea, syncope (fall), and intractable nausea and vomiting. As we have entered the Spring Season and are heading towards Summer in the United States, one of the best advice for everyone is to stay hydrated by drinking adequate water.

On average, drinking at least 6 cups of water daily for most people will be the minimal amount of water to keep our body hydrated. There are always exception to this rule, such as heart failure and renal failure patients, who may require less water intake. I will be honest with you and say that some people just do not like the taste of water, so they may choose not to drink water at all. If you happen to be one of such people, then try flavored water. As always, I recommend you discuss with your doctor before trying any new regiment.

As a physician, one of the top pre-procedural questions from people awaiting a procedure such as abdominal surgery is “can I get a drink of water”?

Interestingly, according to a study by Leng and colleagues our bodies contain osmoreceptors or thirst sensors in a specialized part of the brain called the Anterior Hypothalamus, which receives signals and collaborates with our carotid sinus located around our neck, and other baroreceptors in the left atrium of the the heart, and our kidneys to maintain water balance and conserve water, especially during periods of dehydration. Unfortunately as we approach 50 years of age, our thirst sensors ability to sense thirst slowly diminishes and we may not remember to drink adequate water to prevent dehydration.

On a philosophical note, thirst is symbolic for deprivation in life. Are we thirsty enough for personal success that we are willing to take the proper steps to change our current situations? Are we thirsty enough for better retirement that we are planing on saving 15-20% of our gross paycheck for a better future? Are we thirsty enough for a great family life that we are willing to listen well to the concerns of our children and our spouse? Are we thirsty enough for proper guidance in this life that we pick up our Bible daily to read for instructions? Are we thirsty for a better society, that we live responsibly with integrity that our personal lives can be seen as good examples for the current and future generations to emulate? Are we thirsty enough to transmutate our small business ideas into becoming a realty? Are we thirsty enough to create multi-generational wealth?

Well, now that you are thirsty, please don’t just sit there, get some water to drink. After all, water is good for you and it contains zero calories!

Cheers,

from Dr. Kofi Amo-Mensah.