Are You Chronically Dehydrated?

by Ralph Miller, Certified Massage Therapist

Photo courtesy of Lee Brimelow via Flickr

During summer, the risk of dehydration skyrockets along with the temperatures. Our bodies try to keep us cool by sweating. If these fluids are not replaced, dehydration ensues, or even worse, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. If dehydration persists, it can become chronic and lead to a wide range of health concerns, such as:

• Fatigue and Energy Loss: enzymatic activity in the tissues to slow down.
• Constipation: the colon overcompensates and takes too much water out of digested food, causing hard stool

• Digestive Disorders: the secretion of digestive juices are reduced.

• High and Low Blood Pressure: With less fluid, the body's blood volume is not enough to completely fill the entire set of arteries, veins, and capillaries.

• Gastritis and Stomach Ulcers: To protect its mucous membranes from being destroyed by the acidic digestive fluid it produces, the stomach secretes a layer of mucus.

• Respiratory Troubles: Mucous membranes of the respiratory region are slightly moist to protect the respiratory tract from substances that might be present in inhaled air.

• Acid-Alkaline Imbalance: Enzymatic slowdown producing acidification.
• 
Excess Weight and Obesity: Thirst is often confused with hunger, so you may overeat
Eczema: Toxins that are not diluted enough by fluid irritate the skin.

• Cholesterol: The body produces more cholesterol to stop loss of liquid in cells
• Cystitis and Urinary Infections: toxins in urine won’t be sufficiently diluted, they attack the urinary mucous membranes.
Rheumatism: increases the concentration of toxins in the blood and cellular fluids, and the pains increase in proportion to the concentration of the toxins.

• Premature Aging: The body of a newborn child is composed of 80 percent liquid, but this percentage declines to no more than 70 percent in an adult and continues to decline with age.

(adapted from "The Water Prescription" by Christopher Vasey, N.D., Inner Traditions 2006) 


In addition to being out in the heat, caffeine and alcohol can contribute to dehydration. Be sure to drink enough fluids -- roughly 100 ounces for men and 72 ounces for women. If you experience excessive sweating, thirst, or dizziness, seek medical attention.