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Chiropractic Care and Concern Over Involuntary Dehydration |
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Although commonly associated with exercise or hot weather, dehydration can also occur in day to day life as well. Dehydration is associated with a decline in cognitive and athletic performance and may be linked to degeneration. Its no wonder Doctors of Chiropractic are concerned with hydration. |
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| Author: Dr Laura Vernallis |
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Water is absolutely essential to life and human health and wellness. Water composes approximately 60% of the weight of the human body. It is vital for bodily functions including maintaining normal volume and makeup of blood, and for the removal of waste products from the body.
We often falsely assume dehydration only occurs in association with vigorous physical activity or hot weather. While these two factors are very common causes of dehydration, other less obvious causes for dehydration exist. Dehydration can, and does, occur in individuals who aren’t exposed to high heat or strenuous exercise.
What are other causes of dehydration? Dehydration can also be caused by increased urination, diarrhea, and vomiting. In these situations the body typically loses water much more rapidly than it can be replenished. Compounding the problem is the fact that many over the counter and prescription medications are substances known as diuretics. Diuretics cause increased urination and thus increase bodily loss of water. Surprisingly, another major factor contributing to dehydration are actually the favorite beverages typically consumed by Americans.
Many of us drink black teas, coffee, soda, or alcoholic beverages to help quench thirst and avoid dehydration. Unfortunately we the effect is often quite the opposite. These beverages all have a diuretic effect on the human body due to caffeine. The caffeine contained in tea, coffee, soda, and other beverages can actually increase the volume and frequency of human urination. The same is true of the alcohol contained in alcoholic beverages. These drinks lead to increased loss of water in the body, and left uncorrected, eventually dehydration. Since these beverages are common favorites among most Americans, it is likely that much of the American population actually walks around predisposed to a mild state of dehydration. With this in mind, let’s examine the three main stages of dehydration.
There are three commonly known stages of dehydration. Each stage examines bodily water loss based on a percentage of total body weight. In a state of mild dehydration, the patient experiences about a 3 to 5 percent loss in body weight. Moderate dehydration is characterized by the loss of 6 to 9% of body weight. Severe dehydration reflects a loss of 10% or more of total body weight. Now that we know a little more regarding the classification of dehydration let’s examine common symptoms.
Research shows that even a small 2% decline in hydration can lead to up to a 10% decline in athletic performance. The effects of dehydration are not confined to athletes. Many Chiropractic patients initially consult a Doctor of Chiropractic because they are experiencing symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration. Some of these include:
• Headaches, dizziness and light-headedness
• Muscle spasms
• Muscle cramping and muscle pain
• Thirst
• Dry mouth
• Dry eyes
• Dry skin
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Confusion
How can we prevent dehydration? The best prevention is to ensure we consume enough water to meet the needs of our body. An average size adult needs around 1 quart, or 32 ounces, of water per day. Physically active adults will require much more: sometimes 4 to 5 quarts each day. To help prevent dehydration we can also increase our intake of water before, during, and after exercise. Some sources say you should drink about four to siz ounces of water for every twelve to fifteen minutes of exercise. As a general rule, the more you weigh, the higher the air temperature and the more strenuous the exercise, the greater the amount of fluid intake is needed.
Many people falsely believ they aren’t dehydrated because they aren’t vigorously exercising or because they aren’t thirsty. Exercise and sweating speed the process of dehydration and make it much easier to occur but they are not required for actual dehydration to occur. It is important to take note that the sensation of thirst is not a reliable indicator of adequate hydration. Research has shown that thirst is merely a reaction to the early stage of dehydration. The human body doesn’t even sense thirst until it experiences a 1 to 2 percent loss in body weight!
Another potential problem associated with dehydration is people falsely believe they are adequately hydrated because they drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Unfortunately these fluid beverages are often coffee, teas, soda, or alcohol containing beverages. As we’ve mentioned already, these beverages typically have a diuretic effect on the body. The increased urination and associated water loss brought about by drinking these beverages can actually negate the benefits of the fluid they contain. Avoiding caffeinated and alcoholic beverages and increasing your intake of water are great methods to prevent involuntary dehydration.
You might be wondering how all of this talk about water and dehydration relates to Chiropractic care. The connections are endless! Chiropractors are concerned with health and wellness in general and not just the biomechanics and alignment of the spine. Since water is essential and vital do to life it is obviously of great concern to the Chiropractor who truly has the best interests of his or her patients in mind.
Many patients initially consult with a Doctor of Chiropractic because they are experiencing dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, weakness, fatigue, back pain, or muscle spasms; all of which are also common symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration. Dehydration has also been linked with impaired cognitive function.
Dehydration might also play a role in degenerative changes and joint degeneration within the spine. Positioned between bones of the spine, intervertebral discs are nature’s shock absorbers for the spine. These intervertebral discs are composed mostly of water. These resilient structures have a tough outer fiber ring with a gelatinous like center layer. This allows the discs to be highly compressible, and elastic enough to absorb forces in the spine while allowing the spine to stay flexible. Research shows that degeneration of the intervertebral disc actually begins with dehydration within the intervertebral disc. With age intervertebral discs become less hydrated and lose much of their elasticity and flexibility. This loss of hydration leads to degeneration of the spine and ultimately pain and symptoms.
As you can see involuntary dehydration can occur even without strenuous physical exercise or a hot climate. Further complicating the situation is the fact that humans generally don’t even feel thirsty until we are already dehydrated. Simply drinking the wrong type of beverages throughout the day can result in the early stage of dehydration. Early dehydration can have negative effects on cognitive and physical performance. Water is essential and vital to the cartilage that protects and lubricates our joints. Water is also important to the intervertebral discs that cushion and protect our spines. Sustained dehydration, even at a mild level, can have a detrimental effect on our mental health and our physical well being. This helps explain why Doctors of Chiropractic are concerned about involuntary dehydration. Taking care of yourself and your body means taking time to enusure you are adequately hydrated.
About Author
Dr. Laura Vernallis practices at River Chiropractic Wellness Center in Rocky River, Ohio. She is a 2002 graduate of the prestigious Palmer College of Chiropractic, considered the Fountainhead of the Chiropractic profession.
Dr. Laura Vernallis offers a variety of Chiropractic treatment techniques and therapies to assist patients with neck pain, back pain and many other conditions. In addition to the Rocky River, Ohio community, River Chiropractic and Wellness Center also serves patients in the surrounding areas of Lakewood, Cleveland, Westlake and Fairview Park.
For more information about dehydration, Dr. Vernallis, or Chiropractic care in general, visit the River Chiropractic & Wellness Center website at: http://www.RiverChiro.com.
Dr. Laura can also be contacted directly:
River Chiropractic & Wellness Center
Dr. Laura Vernallis, DC, FIAMA & Dr. Bradley Vernallis
20525 Center Ridge Rd.
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