There are many reasons to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily
- Drinking a glass of water when you take your levodopa helps “flush” the medicine from your stomach to your small intestine, where it is absorbed. Drinking a full glass of water and taking your levodopa on-time and on an otherwise empty stomach will ensure that more of the medication is absorbed, giving you the full benefit of the levodopa.
- Staying hydrated aids in digestion. Just by drinking water, you can help alleviate one of the most common and bothersome Parkinson’s symptoms – constipation. The bowel needs water to work properly.
- Drinking water helps to avoid urinary tract infections (UTIs). Infections, including chest or UTIs are leading causes of admission to hospital for people living with Parkinson’s. These infections also increase the risk of falls, confusion, delirium and hallucination. Some people with Parkinson’s do not hydrate properly because loss of bladder control is a symptom of Parkinson’s. This is because of the unusual messaging to the brain, however if you avoid water intake it will compound continence problems. Instead, see a urologist or continence specialist for some possible solutions.
- Drinking water helps to avoid high blood pressure. When the body’s cells lack water, the brain sends a signal to the pituitary gland to secrete vasopressin, a chemical that causes constriction of the blood vessels. This causes blood pressure to increase which leads to hypertension.
- Drinking water assists with the delivery of oxygen throughout the body. Blood is more than 90 percent water, and blood carries oxygen to different parts of the body.
- Drinking water boosts skin health and beauty. Dehydration causes the skin to become more vulnerable to skin disorders and premature wrinkling.
- Drinking water cushions the brain, spinal cord and other sensitive tissues. Dehydration can affect brain structure and function.
- Drinking plenty of fluids helps your joints move more smoothly, removes waste products and transports vital nutrients around your body.
- Fluids also help control body temperature and hypotension (dizziness often experienced from sitting to standing).
Dehydration health risks
When an individual has long durations of dehydration, cells lose the ability to function properly and die, which can lead to degeneration and disease. Prolonged dehydration can lead to problems with thinking and reasoning. Dehydration can also lead to poor circulation and blood flow, potentially leading to organ failure, kidney failure, and high blood pressure. Dehydration can also lead to constipation and other digestive problems including an overly acidic stomach. This increases the risk of heartburn and stomach ulcers.
Signs of dehydration
Feeling thirsty is just one of the symptoms that you might have if you are dehydrated, but it is not the only one. Oftentimes people with Parkinson’s do not even feel thirsty, the reason is unknown but assumed to be associated with the loss of dopamine. Warning signs of dehydration also include:
- fatigue or weakness
- dizziness
- headaches
- muscle cramps
- dry mouth, nose or skin
- lack of sweating or tears
- upper abdominal or lower back pain.
Staying hydrated is crucial for managing Parkinson’s symptoms and maintaining overall health. It’s important for people with Parkinson’s to drink plenty of fluids and be mindful of their hydration levels.
