Visit our new website! BetterWithPT.com

28 Fri

Staying hydrated: another look

Staying hydrated: another look

Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CGFI

 

When I was in undergraduate school, we studied water intoxication.  We looked at the effect of drinking water on cellular osmolarity and the balance between electrolytes inside and outside of cells.  Drink too much water, and you really mess up this balance.

Recently, there’s been a lot of coverage of how much water, we’re supposed to drink.  The old way of thinking was that if you felt thirsty, you were already dehydrated and needed to drink a lot to make up for water loss.  However, new reports show that it’s not that simple. The amount to drink to stay healthy and hydrated has changed.

Now, to prevent exercise-induced hyponatremia (water intoxication), we are instructed to drink to satisfy your level of thirst.  If you’re thirsty, drink.  If you’re not thirsty, you don’t have to drink.  Your body will tell you when you are dehydrated.  And as for cramping or heat exhaustion, it doesn’t seem that dehydration has any connection to either one.

So remember this when you’re exercising or playing sports.  Use common sense.  Don’t drink too much water. Listen to your body. Rest when you need to rest.

 

Photo courtesy of radnatt / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Comments are closed.

Call Now
Directions