Dehydration occurs when the normal water content of your body is reduced. Dehydration can occur at any age, but it is most dangerous for babies, small children, and older adults. Thirst is not a good indicator for when to replace water. This has been seen in marathon runners who are accustomed to running long distances and have conditioned themselves thus so.
You can avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water. The Food Standards Agency recommends that if you live in the UK (or somewhere with a similar climate) you should drink approximately 1.2 liters (6-8 glasses) of water every day. Your intake of water should increase if you are ill with sickness and/or diarrhea.
Distilled water is not a good choice, since this flushes minerals out of your body at a faster level and can cause more problems. Use filtered tap water or spring water. If you live in a city like Ottawa, Ontario, the tap water is perfectly fine.
If you drink the unhealthy beverages, you need to add even more water to you daily total. The dehydration caused by those drinks must be compensated for by doubling the water . In other words if you drink 32 ounces of the unhealthy beverage, add 64 ounces of water to you intake to break even.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Most have a high water content. The increase in water.
Reduce or eliminate dehydrating beverages such as coffee, tea and soft drinks (unless decaffeinated). But even decaffeinated drinks can contribute to dehydration.
You can avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water. The Food Standards Agency recommends that if you live in the UK (or somewhere with a similar climate) you should drink approximately 1.2 liters (6-8 glasses) of water every day. Your intake of water should increase if you are ill with sickness and/or diarrhea. When exercising, you should drink up to one liter of water per hour of exercise, on top of your normal daily amount. This should be increased if you are exercising in warm conditions, as you will dehydrate more quickly.
Avoid certain foods and drinks. Avoid giving your child salty broths, milk - especially boiled milk - sodas, fruit juices and gelatins. Wear lightweight, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing in light colors. Avoid exposing skin to excessive cold, such as ice packs or ice water. Always encourage the person to drink during an illness, and remember that a person's fluid needs are greater when that person has fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.
In addition to the daily maintenance of our bodies, water also plays a key role in the prevention of disease. Drinking eight glasses of water daily can decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45%, bladder cancer by 50% and it can potentially even reduce the risk of breast cancer. And those are just a few examples! As you follow other links on our website, you can read more in depth about how water can aid in the prevention and cure of many types of diseases, ailments and disorders that affect the many systems of our bodies.
