Dehydration and Lower Back Pain

Every part of your body, from the organs to the muscles, to the spine, to the brain, is severely impacted by the amount of water you consume. Low water intake can restrict your body from performing at its maximum level- period. Your entire body operates from the amount of hydration your body has. Without hydration, your body suffers…and I do mean greatly!

What Causes Dehydration?

Are you one of those people who drink only when they’re thirsty? If yes, then you don’t know what you’re missing. Maintaining your water levels can keep your body at its highest working potential and can save you from illness and pain, (including those you have not even heard of.

Even after knowing the reason you should be hydrated, studies have shown that 75% of the Americans do not drink enough water and are below the hydration level. This dehydration may be caused by several ailments:

·      Looking older than you are

·      Diarrhea and other Stomach Disorders

·      Recurring Fever

·      Vomiting

·      Excess Sweating

·      Diabetes

·      Low-Carb Diets

·      Constipation

·      Excess Caffeine & Alcohol

·      BACK PAIN!!! 

Why is Dehydration a Problem?

Our body is made up of at least 60 percent water. This level keeps on moving and shaking. Our body uses water when we sweat, cry, use the restroom, do physical activities, or even breathe. Due to these everyday activities, the water in our body falls below the requisite level and need replenishment. To ensure that it does not affect our body system and back, it is imperative to drink water at regular intervals. This process keeps our water levels in check and regulates the normal functioning of our bodies.

How do you know if you’re fully hydrated? A lot of people drink water and argue that they don’t feel any symptoms whatsoever. But in reality, they are just operating from the fact that they’re dehydrated. Lack of water clearly affects our judgment!

How are Dehydration and Lower Back Pain Linked?

Lower back pain is a common medical problem, often seen in people who lack the proper hydration. It occurs when the gelatinous material inside your discs loses water. The function of the disc is to act as a cushion between the backbones and provide mobility to the spine. The discs in your back cannot function normally unless the body supplies them an adequate amount of water.

This abnormal function of discs is often related to those suffering from dehydration. A dehydrated body will allow its discs to lose water easily. This will make it unable to hold the body in place (sort of speak). And in the end, the discs will eventually collapse. In this way, Dehydration and Lower Back Pain go hand-in-hand with each other. Where one issue follows, the other does also.

What are the Symptoms?

If you’re suffering from constant fatigue, dizziness, and spinal pain, there is a signal from your body indicating the need for water. Hydrating yourself at regular intervals throughout the day might help solve this problem. The combination of dehydration and lower back pain must not be taken lightly. Of course, for long-term symptoms, you should get yourself checked out by an expert physician, but for short term issues, you should look at your daily habits.

The symptoms of dehydration are quite simple, even if unnoticeable. That’s why it’s important to note them in the early stages. These are:

–     Dry Mouth and Tongue

–     Dry Skin

–     Bad Breath

–     Dark-colored Urine

–     Fatigue

–     Headaches

–     Sore Muscles

–     Lower Back Pain

How to Know if You’re Hydrated?

According to numerous qualified physicians, drinking at least 8 glasses of water (often based on your weight) a day can keep you from experiencing dehydration and lower back pain. Drinking other watery fluids also counts in these figures (as long as it does not contain a high amount so sugar).

Tips to Stay Hydrated:

If you think you can commit to making a habit out of drinking water, you could try these eleven hydration tips:

1.     Make specific time frames for drinking water.

2.     Add a little flavor, such as lemon, mint, and cucumber to the water.

3.     Drink tea, milk, and juices.

4.     Avoid caffeine.

5.     Avoid sugary sodas.

6.     Keep a water bottle next to you at all times.

7.     Eat lots of fruits.

8.     Prefer green and leafy vegetables.

9.     Keep your body fit and moving.

10.  Try vitamin-laced waters.

11.  Minimize your exposure to outdoor heat.

Other than these tips, try to get as much sleep as you can. And keep yourself cool during the scorching summers. These simple hacks will lessen your chances of suffering from dehydration and lower back pain.

Dehydration and lower back pain can disrupt your normal body functioning and make you feel dizzy and lethargic. To tackle this issue, you will have to come up with ways to take care of your body. To start, the best method being hydrated.

While sticking to a hydration plan, most people minimize back pain problems, and often it difficult to find find the source of the plan. Following a proper diet and water intake routine can save you from the troubles of going to a physician and can reduce the chances of dehydration and lower back pain.