Importance of water in your body

Drinking water can help you loose weight

Studies suggest that water could be a helpful in losing weight. A recent study suggested that by drinking water, overweight dieting women were able to promote weight loss by lowering total caloric intake and/or changing their metabolic rate. Another study showed that middle-aged and older women who drank water before a meal consumed fewer calories -- presumably because they already felt full -- and, consequently, they lost weight.

You may be dehydrated if your urine looks like Concentrated apple juice

An easy way to monitor your hydration level is to check the color of your urine. The darker your urine, the less hydrated you are. Drink enough fluids to keep your urine a lighter color. If your urine is clear or pale, chances are you are well hydrated.

Other practical ways to monitor your hydration status include keeping an eye on your body weight (you lose weight as you lose water) and perspiration (the more you perspire, the more water you're losing).Both studies were short-term, however, and it's unknown if the results would have held up over a longer period of time.

How much water does the average adult lose every day through natural bodily functions?

You lose about 10 or more cups of water every day just living -- breathing, sweating, urinating, etc. That amount of water loss is usually replaced by normal levels of daily eating and drinking.

The amount of fluid you need to stay properly hydrated depends on:

The amount of fluid you need depends upon a number of factors, including:

• Age: Children need more fluids because they produce more urine. Older people may need more fluids because of specific health conditions or because they tend to lose their sense of thirst.
• Gender: Men need more fluids than women. (And pregnant women need more fluids than other women.)
• Weight: Heavy people need more water.
• Health: Diseases such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and kidney disease can increase your need for fluids.

Environment: You need more fluids in extreme weather conditions (especially hot, humid, or cold) and at high altitudes.

Which of the following beverages is considered to be the most dehydrating?

Alcoholic beverages have the most dehydrating effect, but most other beverages contribute to your overall level of hydration. Coffee and other caffeinated beverages do have some diuretic effect, causing your kidneys to form urine. But they are generally hydrating because of their water content. Juices, sodas, and other sugary beverages also are hydrating. Water is usually a better choice for hydration because it doesn’t contain additional calories.

Exercise in hot, humid conditions can cause significant dehydration in as quickly as

It doesn't take long to get dehydrated -- especially in hot, humid weather. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association advises delaying or rescheduling vigorous outdoor exercise when it’s too hot and humid. Alternatively, you should take longer breaks, reduce the duration and/or intensity level, and make sure you're wearing minimal clothing or exercise gear.

How much of the average person's daily water intake is from food?

Moisture in food accounts for about 20% of the average person's total daily water intake. An apple is 84% water. Bananas are 74% water. Broccoli is 91% water. Even foods that you might not think of as particularly moist -- a plain bagel (33% water), ground beef (56%), American cheese (39%) -- help your body meet its hydration needs.

How much water should you drink per day?

There's no evidence for the oft-repeated assertion that people need at least eight glasses of water per day. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men consume the equivalent of about 125 ounces of water daily and that women consume about 91 ounces -- but that includes water intake from all foods and beverages. Most people get adequate hydration without "purposeful drinking" of fluids for hydration. According to the U.S. government's "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," "purposeful drinking" is only necessary for people "who are exposed to heat stress or who perform sustained vigorous activity."

People should avoid beverages and snacks with sodium when they're trying to rehydrate.

Sodium is something your body needs when you're trying to rehydrate – either during or after exercise. That’s why sports drinks are often rich in sodium -- one of the “electrolytes” your body loses during exercise. Drinks and snacks with sodium also can stimulate thirst and help you retain fluids. Too much salt, however, can increase your blood pressure and worsen heart conditions in some people.

You can't drink too much water while exercising.

It is possible to drink too much water. While normally functioning kidneys in an adult can process anywhere from 20 -1000 ml of fluid per hour, it's not easy to overload them -- but it can be done. Excessive amounts of water, especially over a short period of time, can be life-threatening. Symptoms of too much water include weight gain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. Acute cases of water intoxication can cause low blood sodium, which can result in headaches, confusion, seizures, and coma.

The International Marathon Medical Directors Association recommends that athletes drink no more than 31 ounces of water per hour during extended exercise.

Water helps your body:

There is water in every cell, tissue, and organ in your body. It helps transport nutrients, get rid of waste, keep your temperature at the right level, lubricate and cushion joints, keep your skin moisturized, and help with lots of other essential functions.

An early warning sign of dehydration is Thirst

   Thirst is one of the first warning signals you may be getting dehydrated, but you should not rely on thirst alone. Other early signs are: fatigue, flushed skin, faster breathing and pulse rate, and decreased exercise capacity. Later signs include weakness, dizziness, and labored breathing. Experts say that thirst occurs when at least 2% of your body weight is lost as sweat. Hydrating before and during strenuous activity is important.If you think you're becoming dehydrated, you should move to a cool place and rehydrate. Drink fluids slowly, rather than quickly -- drinking too fast can stimulate urination, resulting in less hydration

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Hiccups

 Topic Overview
 What are hiccups?
Hiccups occur when a spasm contracts the diaphragm, a large sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. This spasm causes an intake of breath that is suddenly stopped by the closure of the vocal cords (glottis). This closure causes the characteristic "hiccup" sound.
What causes hiccups?
A very full stomach can cause bouts of hiccups that go away on their own. A full stomach can be caused by: Eating too much food too quickly. Drinking too much alcohol, Swallowing too much air, Smoking. A sudden change in stomach temperature, such as drinking a hot beverage and then a cold beverage, Emotional stress or excitement.
How long do hiccups last?
Hiccups usually stop within a few minutes to a few hours. Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours are called persistent hiccups. Hiccups that last longer than a month are called intractable hiccups. While very rare, intractable hiccups can cause exhaustion, lack of sleep, and weight loss. Both persistent and intractable hiccups may be a sign of a more serious health problem and must be checked by a doctor. There are many known causes of persistent or intractable hiccups, including: Central nervous system problems, such as cancer, infections, stroke, or injury. Problems with the chemical processes that take place in the body (metabolic problems), such as decreased kidney function or hyperventilation. Irritation of the nerves in the head, neck, and chest (vagus or phrenic nerve). Anesthesia or surgery. Mental health problems.
How are hiccups treated?
Most bouts of hiccups go away on their own within a few minutes to a few hours and do not require any treatment. Many home remedies are used to treat hiccups. Most of them involve increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the blood, which usually stops hiccups. Some of these remedies include:

•  Holding your breath and counting slowly to 10. 
• Breathing repeatedly into a paper bag for a limited period of time.
•  Quickly drinking a glass of cold water. 
• Eating a teaspoon of sugar or honey. 

The treatment for persistent or intractable hiccups depends on the underlying cause of the hiccups and may range from medicine to acupuncture or hypnosis. Sometimes several treatments may be tried before persistent or intractable hiccups are controlled. If you have hiccups that last a few days or longer, your doctor may conduct tests to rule out a more serious problem. 

Who is affected by hiccups? 

Hiccups affect males more often than females. Hiccups occur in practically every human being, including babies and older adults.

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50+: Live Better, Longer

Healthy Body
Be good to your body: it has worked hard for you for years. Here you’ll find head-to-toe tips to help your body keep on keeping on -- and keep on getting better.

Eating Right 
Good Nutrition for Healthy Aging
 As you get older, good nutrition plays an increasingly important role in how well you age.
The Anti-Aging Diet
 Can what you eat help you age gracefully?
Staying Active
Getting Fit for Life
 Here's why it's important to get physical activity at any age.
 Fitness After 50
 Baby boomers are flocking to fitness centers in record numbers.
 Video: Mature Fitness
A fit, mature adult may be healthier than a couch-potato youngster. This video features gyms for people age 40 and older. The ancient Chinese martial art of tai chi may be good for your balance. Learn why.
10 Timely Workout Tips
 You’re too busy to waste time -- so get tips on efficient workouts.
 Over 40 and Active? Avoid 'Boomeritis'
 Staying active is healthy at any age. Pick up some tips to stay injury-free after 40.
Looking Good
What's Giving Away Your Age?
 Birthdays happen, but looking older is optional. Here's how to take years off -- without keeping your hands in your pockets. Get the facts on wrinkles, age spots, and skin conditions that become more common with age.
Video: Make Hands Look Young
 This video features a woman who gets plastic surgery to plump up her hands.
Help for Hair Loss 
 What causes you to lose your hair? And what can you do about it?
The ABCs of Premature Graying
 Why some of us are destined to sport the 'distinguished' look early.
 Healthy Sleep
Sleep and Aging 
Several factors may contribute to the inability to sleep well as we get older.
Women’s Sleep Advantage
 Find out about a sleep perk for women that comes with age.
Related Guide: Sleep Disorders Guide
 Can’t sleep? Get information on sleep disorders. This link takes you to WebMD’s Sleep Disorders Guide.
Prevention 
Health Check: What Is Your Cancer Risk?
 Learn your risk for five of the most common cancers.
 Cataract Health Center 
 If you're looking for cataract information, WebMD's Cataract Health Center has all the information you need.
 Tool: Hearing Loss Quiz 
Take this quiz to find out how well your hearing is holding up.
Video: Tips for Choosing a Hearing Aid
 Do you know someone who’s in the market for a hearing aid? This video provides tips on choosing a hearing aid.


Relieving Constipation 
Eat Healthy to Avoid Constipation
 Find out how exercise and healthy eating habits may help ease constipation.
Aging and Digestive Health
Getting older has pluses and minuses. On the plus side, you get more time to relax and enjoy life. On the minus side lie many health challenges -- including an increase in digestive health disorders. Of course, problems with digestion can occur at any age. Yet nearly 40% of older adults have one or more age-related digestive symptom each year.

Here's an overview of common digestive health problems that may arise with age. Learn why they occur and what you can do to keep your digestive system running smoothly well into your later years.

Digestive Problems as You Age
Constipation. 
One of the most common things we see, certainly as people are getting into their 60s and 70s, may be a change in bowel habits, predominantly more constipation," says Ira Hanan, MD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Symptoms include difficult or painful bowel movements, infrequent bowel movements, and hard, dry stool. There are a number of age-related factors that can cause constipation in older adults.

Changes in the digestive system.
Your digestive system moves food through your body by a series of muscle contractions. Just like squeezing a toothpaste tube, these contractions push food along your digestive tract, Hanan says. As we age, this process sometimes slows down, and this can cause food to move more slowly through the colon. When things slow down, more water gets absorbed from food waste, which can cause constipation.

Medication use.
Older adults take a lot of medications, says Ellen Stein, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. And as we age, we start to have more health problems that require medications. Several common medications can cause constipation. One example is calcium channel blockers, used for high blood pressure. "Very good for blood pressure, very constipation causing," says Stein. Narcotic pain relievers are another common culprit. An older adult who has knee or hip replacement surgery will often be given narcotics for pain. "Narcotics have effects directly on the bowel," Stein tells Web MD. "They actually slow the gut."

Inactivity. 
People often become less active as they age, says Stein, and being inactive can make you constipated. Bed rest during an illness can cause real problems. If a person has joint-replacement surgery, for example, it takes time to recover and be fully active again. Add narcotic pain relievers to the mix, and "that might change manageable constipation into something that's much more of a problem," Stein says.

Not drinking enough fluids.
Staying hydrated helps prevent constipation at any age. It can become more of an issue for older adults who take diuretics for high blood pressure or heart failure. Diuretics lower blood pressure by causing you to lose excess fluid by urinating more often. Some people may avoid drinking too many fluids so they don't have to run to the bathroom all day long. Between urinating more and drinking less, you can become dehydrated.

Diverticular Disease.
About half of people age 60 and older have diverticulosis. This occurs when small pouches in the lining of the colon bulge out along weak spots in the intestinal wall. While many people don't have any symptoms, gas, bloating, cramps, and constipation may occur. "I tell my patients its part of the aging of the colon," Hanan tells WebMD. "As we get older, we're more prone to developing these pockets." Why they occur with age is unclear, he says. While most of the time they don't cause a problem and don't require treatment, they can cause scarring and irregularity. If the pockets become inflamed, it's called diverticulitis, which can cause abdominal pain, cramping, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Antibiotics, pain medications, and a liquid diet treat diverticulitis.

Ulcers &NSAIDs.
Many older adults use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to control pain from arthritis and other types of chronic pain. Regular use of NSAIDs increases the risk for stomach bleeding and ulcers. So while aging alone doesn't make your stomach more prone to ulcers, the chronic use of NSAIDs does raise your risk. More often than not older patients don't have pain from ulcers, says Hanan, but they can have painless gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. If you notice any type of stomach bleeding, such as vomiting blood, passing dark stools, or noticing blood when you wipe, tell your doctor right away.

Problems with the mouth and esophagus.
The esophagus is the tube that connects our mouth to our stomach. Like the colon, the esophagus can also slow down with age, moving food through more slowly. This can cause problems swallowing food or fluids. Dementia, stroke, and conditions such as Parkinson's disease can also cause difficulty swallowing.

Polyps. 
After age 50, the risk increases for developing polyps, or small growths, in the colon. Polyps may be noncancerous, they may become cancer, or they may be cancer. "We don't know what causes polyps," Hanan says. There's been speculation that it's something in the diet or something we don't get enough of, plus genetics. It's probably a cumulative effect over the years, he says. You can have polyps and not know it because they usually don't have any symptoms. "That's why screening colonoscopies are recommended for anyone over the age of 50," Hanan tells WebMD. During this procedure, polyps can be removed before they become cancer. People with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors may need to have screenings earlier.

GERD.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common upper GI disorder in older adults, although people of all ages can get it. GERD occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. Heartburn is more common as you get older, says Stein, but it's often caused by factors not related to aging. Eating late at night and eating the wrong types of foods, such as fast food and fried foods, can all cause reflux. Certain medications, including some blood pressure medications, which many older adults take, can cause heartburn. Obesity increases your risk for heartburn and GERD, so if you gain weight as you get older, you could have more reflux.
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