Drink Up! The Connection Between Age and Dehydration

Although the temps outside are beginning to cool, we still need to keep in mind that dehydration does not only affect us during the warm months, but all year round. At Siena, we felt this topic was so important to our Independent Seniors that we asked our partners from the Visiting Angels to return and offer another workshop on the topic this month.

It is no secret that your body changes as you age.  But what may surprise you is that one of those changes is your sense of thirst.  As you age, your body demands less water.  The issue with that is simply our body needs fluids to function. A lack of fluids puts you in danger of dehydration.

The reduction in thirst that comes with age can keep that already low supply from being replenished.  By the time an older adult feels thirsty, that is already an indication of early dehydration.  Adding to the problem is that symptoms of dehydration in older adults often go unrecognized as these symptoms can easily be attributed to other medical conditions, medications, or natural effects of aging.

Dehydration can affect you physically, mentally, and emotionally, as blood vessels in your brain and throughout your body constrict.  A few signs of dehydration include: Fatigue, Dizziness, Headache, Dry Mouth/Cough, Muscle Cramps, Chills, Heat Intolerance or Flushed Skin.

The best way to prevent dehydration is as obvious as it seems: Consume more fluids.  The eight glasses of water per day rule is a general recommendation and is easy to remember.  Water is easy for hydration, but may become boring, so mix it up.  Add fruit to your water, drink milk, juice, enjoy watermelon and even a frozen popsicle.

For more tips to prevent dehydration, please join us on Friday, September 15th at 11:00 am at Siena on Brendenwood.

4444 Brendenwood Road, Rockford IL.