Good for the elderly
On average, senior citizens need 7 hours of sleep, which means you are awake 17 hours of the day. That equates to about a cup of water every hour and a half of awake time.
Experts generally recommend that older adults consume at least 1.7 liters of fluid per 24 hours. This corresponds to 57.5 fluid ounces, or 7.1 cups.
A formula used to calculate fluid requirements for older people is: U 100 mL fluid per kg body weight for the first 10 kg U 50 mL fluid per kg for the next 10 kg U 15 mL fluid per kg for each kg after 20 kg.
When you drink too much water, your kidneys can’t get rid of the excess water. The sodium content of your blood becomes diluted. This is called hyponatremia and it can be life-threatening.
Your kidneys may not work as effectively with age, leading to a fluid imbalance in your body. Since your body has less water composition as you age, you become dehydrated much quicker than when you were younger.
Hydration in the elderly can be easily managed with these simple tips:
Health experts commonly recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 liters, or half a gallon a day. This is called the 8×8 rule and is very easy to remember. However, some experts believe that you need to sip on water constantly throughout the day, even when you’re not thirsty.
Prevention and Treatment It has been demonstrated that when older adults know that they should not trust thirst but should drink because it is healthy for them, water intake increases above the minimum intake of 1700 ml per day.
Your general water requirements can be determined using your current body weight. Most people need to drink roughly half to two-thirds of their weight (in pounds) in ounces. For example, a 200-pound adult needs approximately 150 ounces of water each day.
Formulas Used:
As the condition progresses, common symptoms include: nausea and vomiting. headache. changes in mental state such as confusion or disorientation. This can cause more severe symptoms, such as:
There are many different opinions on just how much water you should be drinking every day. Health experts commonly recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 liters, or half a gallon a day. This is called the 8×8 rule and is very easy to remember.
The symptoms of overhydration can look like those of dehydration. When you have too much water in the body, the kidneys can’t remove the excess liquid. It starts collecting in the body, leading to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Throbbing headaches all through the day.
Severe dehydration is marked by shriveled skin, a sunken look in the eyes, low blood pressure, and delirium. Severe dehydration is a serious risk for the elderly; caretakers, it’s essential that you address signs of dehydration before these symptoms start to manifest themselves.
10 Symptoms of Dehydration
Try to drink water throughout the day. Other beverages that may also help with hydration include milk, flavored sparkling water, and fruit juices with low sugar. Drink coffee and tea sparingly, as they can have diuretic effects. If it’s hard to drink too much liquid all at once, take small sips.