Need a Drink?

Let me tell you how I became re-introduced to something I knew, but apparently had forgotten. It was the early part of 2022. More and more I was experiencing periods of lethargy – a lack of energy and mental focus as well as a few other symptoms, including occasional low grade headaches. And this despite a variety of supplements I was taking that should have countered all that.

At first I thought it might be a reaction to a vaccine booster that I had in January. But as time passed the issues did not fade. Then I looked at my sleep patterns and tried to get to bed earlier as well as sleep longer. But according to my wrist-watch health monitor, my periods of sleep were uneven and restless. I did not awaken refreshed. I was getting frustrated.

I had an appointment in early June with my cardiologist. It was to include an echo-cardiogram and a treadmill stress test. I hoped my symptoms were not heart related. Since the beginning of the pandemic two years earlier I had not been to the gym for regular workouts. So I decided in late March to institute a program of walking to build up my stamina. With hiking sticks in hand I began – and quickly realized I would have to build up the distance slowly. Clearly my fitness had deteriorated.

In May I started a program of recording my blood pressure frequently to give to the doctor. And as part of that process I decided it would be interesting to see what the BP readings were before and after my walks. After a few such readings, I observed what I thought was an anomaly. Often the BP reading after the walk was lower that the reading before I headed out. I thought it should be the reverse.

My visit to my cardiologist went well. He was really pleased with my heart health based on both the ultrasound images and the stress test results. He was also pleased with the BP readings I gave him. I was relieved. While we were talking, I asked him about what I thought was a BP reading anomaly. He agreed it was unusual. He thought for a moment and speculated about a couple of things it could be. And then at the end he said “or it could be dehydration.” Well I tucked that one away for further thought.

I should have paid more attention to generally known healthy living advice in the first instance rather than assuming the observed symptoms were a result of an ailment and just trying to “power through.”

I undertook a little casual research and thought back to things I already knew about hydration (but clearly had forgotten). Whenever I felt a little peckish I would have something small to eat. But with my new frame of reference I recalled that a feeling of slight hunger can be an early indication of dehydration. So whenever I had that feeling, I now took a glass of water. About 20 minutes later I noticed the hunger had disappeared. Another symptom was a mild headache. A glass of water and most times the headache was gone after a half hour.

Frequently, I would get up in the middle of the night to relieve bladder pressure. I avoided taking a drink at that time because I was hoping not have to get up again later in the night. After my revelation, I consumed a glass of water before returning to bed. Yes I did have to get up again before morning. But the thing is that when I got up for the day I felt refreshed. And my sleep pattern monitor showed an uninterrupted sleep between bathroom visits.

I told my sister about my revelations and her response was, “Well of course.” She has something of a healthy eating focus for her own life. During a later conversation I told her my walking was paying dividends. My strides while walking were becoming much more fluid. Her response this time: “Duh!! Your muscles are now getting the water they need to function properly.” Do you have any idea how frustrating it is when your ‘kid sister’ points out your stupidity?

So how might you benefit from my challenge? Look at this set of observed issues and ask yourself whether dehydration could be the source of the problem.

• Feeling a little hungry? Need a drink?
• Minor headache? Need a drink?
• Having difficulty concentrating? Need a drink?
• Energy levels down? Need a drink?
• Body movements not as fluid as usual? Need a drink?
• Restless sleep? Need a drink?
• Urine has the appearance of tea? Need a drink?

Pay attention to your body. Sometimes it gives you subtle messages. By the time it hits you over the head by you actively feeling thirsty or your urine being the color of steeped tea, you are ALREADY dehydrated!

#health #wellness