What do the doctors say about water?
"Dehydration remains a problem among both institutionalized and community-dwelling elderly. We agree that the community-based awareness programs for educating the public hopefully could help to reduce the number of [dehydration] cases reported in the community setting. Last, we concur that infection is the major risk factor for the development of dehydration in this population and the proper use of vaccines to reduce respiratory infections could greatly aid in the reduction of the number of cases of dehydration. Our experience leads us to still believe that institutionalized populations, because of frequent presence of cognitive impairment, immobility and multiple medical problems, are at special risk for the development of dehydration and require special monitoring by both nursing staff and the primary attending physician.: Joan L. Warren, M.D. and Tamara Harris, M.D.
The Journal of the American Medical Association,
March 27, 1996 v 275 n12 p911 (2).
"Heat is really the silent killer. The victim is down for the count before any warning comes. The deficit in water begins at the gun and for that reason we must begin to make it up in advance. Playing catch-up is not a game that works in hot-weather running." George Sheehan, M.D.
Vibrant Life, March-April 1996 v12 n2 p28 (2)
Dr. Robert M Russell, a professor of medicine and nutrition at Tufts University in Boston and his colleagues at the Department of Agriculture's Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts, Dr. Alice Lichtenstein and Helen Rasmussen, a registered dietitian, have revised the food guide pyramid for Americans over 70.
This guide has a new foundation: eight 8-ounce glasses of water (or its nonalcoholic, caffeine-free equivalent) each day. "Older people.have to consciously think of drinking more and keeping well hydrated, especially if they live in warm climates," Russell said. Without enough water, blood pressure can fall dangerously low, clots may form and block blood vessels, kidney function may be compromised (and may result in toxic concentrations of [prescription] drugs) and constipation can become chronic.
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