For those of you in the very hot temperatures throughout the midwest, and all over the world are in critical need to increase fluid intake. Preferably water.

In the elderly the mechanism of thirst diminishes. When the body needs to be replenished with water, they may not realize it. Why this happens isn’t known. Yet, dehydration is a common cause of hospitalization among the elderly. It may be a function related to how body composition changes with age.

Approximately 45% of body weight in the elderly is muscle and the fact that 76% of that muscle is water indicates that muscle is the main reservoir of water in the body.

Many of the earliest signs, like dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness and muscle cramps, are nonspecific and could be easily attributed to other medical conditions, medications or natural effects of aging.

Persistent dehydration that causes difficulty walking, confusion, rapid heart rate or other more severe symptoms can land seniors in the hospital. And if you are sweating, you need a lot more water.

Eight glasses of water is usually the recommended amount needed daily. However, the best amount varies considerably. In general, the amount of water to drink every day can be calculated based on weight. When calculating how much water to drink, divide your weight in pounds in half. This number represents how many ounces of water you should drink in that day. For example, if an individual weighs 150 pounds 75 ounces of water is need which equals to 9 – 8 ounce glasses. 

Muscle is responsible for most glucose metabolism and plays a major role in the development of insulin resistance and in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Treatment for this is physical exercise. Studies show that muscle and skin are the main organs to lose water, thereby protecting other vital organs as the liver and the brain. Drink up!