Why Hydration Matters More As You Get Older

Why Hydration Matters More As You Get Older

Eva W |

 

Why Hydration Matters More As You Get Older

 

Dec 13 2021 | Contributed by: Sofia Greenwood

Staying hydrated plays a key role in maintaining good health, especially as our bodies reach their full maturity. Researchers from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) estimate that up to 40% of elderly people may be chronically under hydrated, which can lead to dehydration and severe health problems.
We've all heard about how important it is to drink eight glasses of water a day, but how necessary is water? Read on to find out why hydration matters as you get older.

 

Dehydration in older people


Dehydration occurs when you lose, or use, more fluids than you drink. This leaves your body without enough water to carry out its normal physiological functions. This can happen when you exercise, go for walk, work in the garden, or simply lose track of time as you work and forget to drink water.
Our previous article on Staying Hydrated During the Hot Weather’ covered several key points on signs of dehydration. Elderly people have a higher risk of dehydration for a few reasons, such as:

· The total amount of fluid in our body lessens as we age. One factor that causes this is the decreased function of the kidneys. The kidneys become less efficient over time, which means more water may be lost through urination.

· Feeling thirsty is your body’s way of telling you that it needs water. The feeling of being thirsty tends to diminish as we age. If you don’t feel thirsty, then you won’t know that you need to drink water.

· Many elderly people take various medications which can increase the risk of dehydration. Some medicines, especially diuretics, can disrupt fluid balance in the body. Elderly people have an especially high chance of this if they need to take medication regularly.

 

Dangers of dehydration


When your body is running low on water, just like a car running low on gas, you can experience a few concerning symptoms. Here are ten common dangers of dehydration:

1.Muscle cramps

2.Constipation

3.Hypertension

4.Depression

5.Uremia

6.Kidney stones

7.Kidney disease

8.Gallstones

9.Joint complications

10.Death


From these points, it is easy to see that elderly people are more susceptible to serious health consequences, all of which could lead to hospitalization. KelseyCare Advantage outlines that Medicare can cover parts of the costs of hospitalization due to dehydration, but costs can still climb from emergency rooms, intensive care, extended admissions, tests, medications, and so on.

The importance of water filtration


Besides drinking plenty of water, you should think about the cleanliness of your water. Water that is clean, fresh, and filtered is better for your health and reduces the chances of waterborne bacteria and disease.
Advanced filtration systems like the MK99 Under Sink Water Filter can remove contaminants like lead, chlorine, heavy metals, as well as make the water more palatable. It's easy to install and has a fast water flow rate, making it the perfect accessory to support your healthy hydration needs.
Health is wealth, and staying hydrated is one simple way to maintain that. It's surprising to know, but sometimes the secret to a longer, happier, and healthier life lies in something as simple as a glass of water.