Water is one of the important elements and has numerous roles in the human body. It contributes to 75% of the body weight in children and 50% of body weight in adults, and it is essential for life (Moon, J.R., 2009).
Water in our body dissolves and transports nutrients and waste products in the blood. When waste products are transported to the kidneys, they are filtered and excreted as urine, maintaining a constant blood as well as fluid concentration.
Indeed, without water, humans can survive only for days. The effects of dehydration are not only acute conditions like heatstroke, but also increased risks of kidney stones, chronic kidney disease, urinary tract infections, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disease (Cotter, J.D 2014)
During the monsoon season, humidity levels in the atmosphere increase, making a person feel less thirsty and affecting their water intake. Thus, water intake in humid weather is important, especially for the ones suffering from diabetes and heart diseases, in order to maintain their health.
Madhavbaug focuses on holistic well-being, which not only includes herbal medicines but also lifestyle improvements like diet, exercise, etc. Along with a personalised diet chart, they also give tips regarding the required water intake. This guide further discusses the tips for maintaining water intake in this humid weather.
Glucose and Thirst – Hydration Tips for Diabetes
Blood glucose levels are related to thirst. The higher the blood glucose in the blood, the more thirsty the person feels. This is due to a mechanism which includes the kidneys and brain.
Normally, the kidney is responsible for filtering all the nutrients, leaving water for urine excretion. The higher the glucose in the blood, the more glucose is reabsorbed and more water as well as some left over glucose is excreted through the kidneys. Due to these factors, the brain triggers the person to drink more water to compensate for the water loss, leading the person to feel thirsty. (Cotter, J.D.,2014)
In a monsoon, when the moisture is high, the person may not feel like drinking water and may have chances of neglecting that thirst. This behavior causes dehydration, and it can lead to complications in diabetes as well as the development of risk factors caused by fluid loss. Following are some diabetes hydration tips to maintain the water and fluid level in the body:
One may target consuming 3 to 4 L of water per day (Moon, J.R., 2009). However, one should keep individual capacity in mind and consume.
Can set hourly phone alarms or reminders for drinking water
Can make a water intake checklist
Many water bottles have marks which help one track the water intake
Hydration and Blood Pressure
It is important to maintain hydration in heart patients because dehydration can lead to changes in blood pressure. It can either increase or decrease blood pressure.
How does dehydration increase blood pressure? How does dehydration decrease blood pressure?
Dehydration leads to a decrease in fluid level in the body.
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This condition leads to an increase in sodium levels.
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This process causes the brain to release a hormone called vasopressin.
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This action constricts the blood vessels to save fluid inside the body.
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This constriction leads to an increase in blood pressure.
Dehydration leads to a decrease in fluid level in the body.
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This leads to decrease in blood volume
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This condition causes low blood pressure.
Thus, it is important for a person to maintain a proper water level in the body to regulate blood pressure. Due to monsoon and increased humidity levels, a person may feel less thirsty, which may affect the blood pressure levels, and so it is essential to keep a note of overall daily water intake through all sources, according to the ideal guidelines stated by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine recommends consuming 125 ounces (3.7 litres) of fluid per day for men and 91 ounces (2.7 litres) for women.
Ayurveda and Hydration
In Ayurveda thirst is called ‘trishna’, and dehydration is also mentioned as an independent disease. Trishna is an aspect of Udakavaha Srotas and is derived from the word ‘trish’, which means thirst. According to Ayurveda, absorption of body fluids depends upon Vata and Agni, which get vitiated in the monsoon. The Vata gets aggravated, and the Agni gets slowed down, leading to imbalance. When there is an imbalance in Vata and Pitta, the Udakavaha Srotas (the microchannels related to water) and Mutravaha Srotas (the microchannels related to urine) also get affected. This gives space to the development of Vikaras (diseases) which can be assessed using various Ayurvedic and modern diagnostic measures, for which you can visit the nearest Madhavbaug centre.
Madhavbaug’s Holistic Approach To Diabetes and Hypertension
Considering the Ayurvedic principles, Madhavbaug has brought many innovations in treating diabetes, centring on its root cause. It not only focuses on diabetic management but also diabetic reversal and metabolic healing. Through attributes like Panchakarma, the Prameha Diet/GoBipi kit, continuous monitoring through the mibPulse app and PowerMAP technologies and much more, Madhavbaug steps forward as a holistic and sustainable solution for diabetes as well as hypertension.
To read more about the treatment details, visit:
Final Thoughts
Madhavbaug focuses on addressing the root causes rather than symptomatic relief. Keeping Ayurvedic principles at the centre and using modern diagnostic tools like PowerMap and mibPulse, it adopts an integrative approach. Take a step towards holistic healing and book an appointment with Madhavbaug.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 Does humidity affect diabetics?
Yes, humidity significantly affects diabetes by altering your blood sugar levels and increasing your risk of heat-related illnesses.
Q.2 Can humidity increase BP?
High temperatures and high humidity are two factors that can cause serious health consequences for people with high blood pressure and heart disease.
Q.3 What is the best form of hydration for diabetics?
For diabetics, plain water is the best option. Dehydration concentrates blood sugar, so staying hydrated is essential for flushing excess glucose.
Q.4 Can a diabetic take rehydration?
Whether “rehydrate” (or rehydration solutions) is good for diabetics depends entirely on the type of product. While staying hydrated is vital for managing blood sugar, traditional rehydration drinks can cause dangerous sugar spikes.
Q.5 What are the signs of too much humidity?
Condensation on Windows: If you notice water droplets on the inside of your windows, it’s a sign that there’s too much moisture in the air. Mold Spots: Mold loves damp environments. If you’re spotting mold in corners, on walls, or in the bathroom, your home’s humidity is too high.
References
Nicolaidis, S. and Arnaud, M.J., 1998. Physiology of thirst.
Moon, J.R., Smith, A.E., Tobkin, S.E., Lockwood, C.M., Kendall, K.L., Graef, J.L., Roberts, M.D., Dalbo, V.J., Kerksick, C.M., Cramer, J.T. and Beck, T.W., 2009. Total body water changes after an exercise intervention tracked using bioimpedance spectroscopy: a deuterium oxide comparison. Clinical Nutrition, 28(5), pp.516-525.
Cotter, J.D., Thornton, S.N., Lee, J.K. and Laursen, P.B., 2014. Are we being drowned in hydration advice? Thirsty for more?. Extreme physiology & medicine, 3(1), p.18.
