There are a few precautions you can take to avoid dehydration. A recommended daily water intake is the well-known 6 to 8 glasses per day. This meets your body’s requirement of approximately 2 quarts or just under 2 litres of water per day. Not only is it important to increase fluids such as cold water it’s also a good idea to limit alcohol, caffeine, high protein drinks, and hot liquids, which exacerbate dehydration because they have a diuretic effect.
Tips for incorporating more fluids into your diet
- To make sure you hydrate properly, drink a glass of water with or before each meal or snack throughout the day.
- Drink some water before eating, this can also help with any swallowing issues when having food.
- It‘s best to take your medications with a large glass of water and on an empty stomach to maximise uptake.
- You can eat foods with high water content, such as watermelon, oranges, rock melon, cucumber, celery, tomatoes, cabbage and spinach.
- If you have trouble swallowing, try using a straw to drink liquids from. You can also thicken liquids if advised by your dietitian.
- If you’re worried that drinking too many liquids may lead to incontinence, drink small amounts of water over the course of the day.
- Set a reminder every hour to drink more fluids throughout the day.
- Drink water before, during and after exercise.
- Add lemon, lime, orange or cucumber slices, or a splash of juice for added flavour and enjoyment.
- Line up cups on the counter to use throughout the day as a reminder, or have a drink bottle handy in each room.
- Keep a log or tally the amount water you drink, on paper or in a health app.
- Avoid exposure to dry, hot weather for prolonged periods.
- Avoid diuretics, and other medications causing excessive water loss.
- Talk with your GP about any of your issues that might be causing excessive water loss (e.g. drooling, frequent urinating & sweating).
Keeping these tips in mind can help maintain proper hydration and support overall health while managing Parkinson’s.