Niggly problems down to dehydration?

Water, water everywhere – let’s all have a drink! Water could actually be considered as the worlds first and foremost medicine! How lucky are we to live in a country where clean drinking water is easily accessible.

The body is made up of 25 percent solid matter and 75 percent water. Brain tissue is thought to be 85 percent water, and blood 90 percent. The body monitors its’ every function and these functions are influenced by the efficient flow of water. When dehydrated the body runs a rationing programme, in that the most essential organs will receive water through the blood circulation before others. The brain is 1/50th of the make up of the body, however receives 18-20 percent of the circulation, and therefore proportionately more water. The muscles, tendons, cartilage and bone are the last in the pecking order for water rationing.

Water in the body is a solvent; it offers ‘chemical’ transport and it becomes more dense when in the body so it is structurally supportive. The more dehydrated we become the less efficient the water is at ‘dissolving’ the body’s hormones and other chemicals for transportation around the body. In addition the transport system does not flow as freely because everything becomes stickier.

The greater the dehydration the less sensitive we are to that dehydration. Ageing also reduces our sensitivity to dehydration therefore we often don’t adapt by consuming more water. Dehydration accelerates the ageing process. Dehydration stresses the systems and causes fight and flight responses in the body – these can be pain responses such as indigestion, headaches, general aches and pains.

What if some of your ‘niggly’ problems could be solved by upping your water intake? It is recommended that we drink 2 litres or 8 glasses of water each day. Having a bottle of water to hand and sipping from it regularly, refilling as necessary, may make this easier to achieve. How about trying it for a month and experience how your sense of wellbeing changes as you go through the four weeks?

Even with something as simple as increasing your water intake, if in doubt ask your doctor as there are some conditions this advice may not be suitable for.

Ann Rambaut, Chartered Physiotherapist, Body Mind Coach
For more information regarding the treatments Ann offers, please visit annrambaut.com Ann is always happy to discuss your situation by phone
T: 01323 411900 M: 07436 810181