For some, allergies are a bigger challenge than for others and there's a huge selection of antihistamines out there that many rely on. If you suffer from allergies and an antihistamine is your best option then you should bear in mind that antihistamines are one of the most common causes of dehydration. A tell tale indication of insufficient moisture in the body is pain. If you take antihistamines, drink larger amounts of water than normal.
2. Our brain works nonstop and requires more water than any other part of the body. Under normal conditions it contains about 20% of the total blood that circulates through the body, and it is estimated that brain cells contain approximately 85% water. Antihistamines, diuretics, alcohol, blood pressure medications and some psychiatric drugs cause dehydration. As a response to the water shortage, the brain activates and stores the important neurotransmitter histamine, which immediately redirects water to the areas where it is needed for basic metabolic activity and survival. When histamines and the regulators for water intake come across pain sensing nerves in the body it causes strong and continual pain. These are the pain signals that warn you that you have become dehydrated and is the reason why when you have a headache you should drink more water.
3. When your joints go through their usual movements it is normal for a small amount of cartilage cells to be destroyed by friction which are replaced without any issue. It happens in each of us everyday. When the body is dehydrated cartilage loses the ability to move smoothly causing additional friction and ultimately an increased number of cartilage cells are destroyed than would not have been under hydrated conditions. Cartilage cells typically receive water and nutrients from the blood that flows through the end of the underlying bone. However, damaged cartilage must depend on increased blood flow to the joint capsule. This causes inflammation and pain. Dehydration not only causes the damage but will also interfere in the healing of cartilage. So here we have yet another reason to always stay well hydrated.
4. The spine supports the upper body and about 75% of that support comes from water within the spinal discs that sit between each vertebrae. When the body is dehydrated, these discs contain less water and the space between them shrink in size rendering them less capable of providing the support your upper body needs and increases the risk of nerve impingement. To compensate for the lack of spinal support the body must then place additional strain on the muscles surrounding the spine. This significantly increases the risk for spinal disc herniation.
5. Lastly...Dehydration is a primary cause of insomnia and fatigue. Water is our internal cooling and temperature balancing system and dehydration can lead to an increase in toxins in the bloodstream. This is more noticeable at night causing poor sleep and/or insomnia. Drinking water throughout the day will ensure these toxins are flushed from your system.
I personally drink at least 1 gallon of water a day. I recommend no less than half a gallon to my clients. It sounds like a lot of water when I say it like that but over the course of a day it's realistic to be able to do it. I have a BPA free water bottle and it goes with me pretty much everywhere. I don't even notice I'm carrying it sometimes. The one I use is 32 OZ. So just 4 of those over the whole day is a gallon. Below is a picture of the one I like and use. I would give some testimony about what happens to me if I don't drink enough water but I haven't done it in a long time. Pretty sure there was a headache involved though....
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