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Water is an all important component in our lives. Drinking water is vital to our health and lack of it for more than 24 hours becomes a life threatening situation. 2/3 of the body consists of water and various tissues and organs in the body are made up of water. As we age, there is a shifting in our need for water and thirst for water. For example, you would notice that the less water you drink the less thirsty you are. This can lead to dehydration and serious health complications. If you are a senior, you should know water is essential for you and strive to consume it, even without a thirst cue coming from the body. Water and its Importance to the Body The human body consists of 50% water. Tissues and organs in the body are made up of water. 75% of muscle consists of water, 90% of the brain consists of water and 83% of blood consists of water. Water helps transport nutrients and oxygen into various cells in the body. It helps with metabolism, helps organs absorb nutrients, regulates our body temperature and detoxifies our bodies. Water also protects and keeps are joints and lungs moistened. Inadequate water intake can lead to dehydration and senior citizens are more likely to experience this due to diminished kidney function. This, over time, can cause various problems including: - Arthritis
- Gout
- Variations in body temperature
- Drop in blood pressure
- Migraine
- Fatigue
- Sore muscles
- Slowing of the metabolism
- Weight gain
- Toxicity
- Organ failure
- Kidney stones
Most often, these problems could have been avoided by drinking adequate amounts of water. Senior citizens should always make a focused effort to remember to drink at least 6 – 8 glasses of water on a daily basis. Signs of dehydration include confusion, drowsiness, trouble with speech and dry mouth. Getting into the Habit of Drinking Water Most of us do sometimes forget to drink water. Because we now understand the importance of water and the repercussions of not drinking enough water, we should strive to cultivate the habit of drinking water. Some great ways to cultivate the habit include: - Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge. It is cool and inviting on a hot day.
- Drink water with your meals. This helps with digestion.
- Insure that you eat foods high in water content, such as, cucumber and watermelon.
- Keep a bottle of mineral water within proximity always. This will remind you to drink it.
- Drink water when you go out for meals.
- Keep a tall glass of water near your TV chair or the computer. When you see it you will be reminded to drink it.
- Keep a track of your water intake until you get used to drinking water regularly.
Certain beverages such as coffee and alcoholic drinks are best followed by a glass of water. This is because such beverages are actually dehydrating! So, after your morning Starbucks and after your happy hour drink(s) – chase them each with a tall glass of water! Getting into the habit of drinking water regularly is an extremely good habit. You are never too old to pick up good habits; therefore - to avoid problems, you should seriously make drinking water a regular part of your daily life. Being healthy beyond the age of 55+ will ensure that you get to enjoy the best of freedom, health and sense of unencumbered life, preferably living in an active senior living community. You may find information on over 5,800 Active Adult Living communities across USA by browsing our site, ActiveAdultLiving.com. Author: Lisa LaCount writes articles courtesy of ActiveAdultLiving.com, the most comprehensive source of information on Senior living communities in the web. You will find over 5800 listings of 55+ communities in this web site. Those interested in locating an ideal 55 communities to relocate and settle down can benefit from the AAL website which provides precise and comprehensive information on various communities across USA. Like ActiveAdultLiving Facebook page or follow us on Twitter at 55ActuveAdults for alerts and posts on lifestyle, price, type of houses and promotions.
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