By Amy Nickerson, MS RD
Dept. of Aging & Independent Living
If you think fluids during the summer are more important than during the winter, think again. Your body needs water in order to stay warm when the temperature drops. As you age, the body no longer sends thirst messages to the brain, so it is important to drink before feeling thirsty. When your body doesn't get enough fluids, dehydration occurs. Drinking plenty of water is a simple way to avoid dehydration.
In addition to quenching your thirst, water has many important functions. It carries important nutrients, oxygen and medicine to cells. Then it cleans away waste from the cells. Water also cushions and lubricates joints, and it is necessary in order for your bowels to work properly.
On a normal day, you lose about two quarts of body fluids. If the fluids lost through sweat and urine are not replaced, dehydration may set in. Dehydration can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness and confusion. It can also damage your kidneys.
How do you know if you are drinking enough fluids? Look at the color of your urine. It should be colorless and without any odor. It is normal to pass urine every three to four hours. Urine that smells strong and is dark in color may signal dehydration. Certain vitamin and mineral supplements may darken the color or your urine.
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