UK study of dehydration among elderly nursing home patients no surprise to fresh water advocate
Grants Pass, OR (PRWEB) February 05, 2015
A recent study of nursing home patients in the United Kingdom (UK) showed that they were five times more likely to be physically dehydrated than elderly individuals living at home.* The report did not surprise fresh water advocate Sharon Kleyne. The Sharon Kleyne Hour™ Power of Water® host frequently talks about the “global dehydration crisis” on her show and has presented considerable information on the causes, prevalence, dangers and prevention of dehydration.
“Nursing home patients more likely to be dehydrated,” Fox News via Reuters, January 28, 2014 http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/01/28/nursing-home-patients-more-likely-to-be-dehydrated/
Dehydration is defined at “excessive loss of body water.”
Kleyne will discuss the UK study and the global dehydration crisis on her upcoming Sharon Kleyne Hour™ Power of Water® radio show on February 9, 2015. For the live broadcast, or podcasts of past shows, go to http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2207/the-sharon-kleyne-hour.
The syndicated Sharon Kleyne Hour™ Power of Water® radio show, hosted by fresh water advocate Sharon Kleyne, is heard weekly on VoiceAmerica and Apple iTunes. The education oriented show is sponsored by Bio-Logic Aqua® Research, a global research and technology center founded by Kleyne and specializing in fresh water, the atmosphere and dehydration. Nature’s Tears® EyeMist® is the Research Center’s signature product for dry and dehydrated eyes.
Kleyne cites several reasons why nursing home patients might be more dehydrated than elderly patients living at home.
For starters, nearly everyone is slightly dehydrated, according to Kleyne. With climate change, air pollution and increasing global drought and loss of atmospheric water vapor, the incidence and severity of dehydration is increasing worldwide. The elderly are more susceptible because as humans age, their thirst reflex diminishes. The elderly also tend to consume large amounts of medication, which is often dehydrating.
For these reasons, says Kleyne, chances are high that an individual entering a nursing home is already dehydrated.
Nursing home patients tend to be older and less healthy than their at-home counterparts, Kleyne notes. Also, nursing home patients spend much of their day in wheelchairs, which makes going to the bathroom difficult and patients may avoid drinking for that reason. Also, according to the Fox News article, some nursing homes avoid giving patient water at night so they don’t have to be taken to the bathroom.
Nursing home patients also spend most of their time indoors under fluorescent lighting, according to Kleyne. Forced air heating and cooling, insulated walls and windows, and windows that do not open tend to be dehydrating and unhealthy. Bright fluorescent lighting is more dehydrating than softer, dimmer incandescent bulbs, says Kleyne.
Because of the close proximity to other patients, Kleyne adds, nursing home residents are more likely to become ill. Fever is dehydrating and diarrhea is extremely dehydrating.
Dehydration symptoms, according to Kleyne, include loss of appetite, thirst, dry mouth, headache, dry skin and eyes, low urine production, fatigue, lethargy, irritability and depression. Dehydration can lead to heart and kidney disorders, stroke, lowered disease resistance and reduced effectiveness of medication. Severe dehydration can be fatal.
The primary method of preventing or alleviating dehydration, says Kleyne, is for the patient to drink more fresh water. Kleyne recommends at least eight glasses (eight ounces per glass) of fresh water per day in addition to all other fluid intake. Drink two full glasses upon rising and at least four of the glasses all at once rather than sipping. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugared drinks, which are dehydrating. Children 12 and under should drink half their body weight in ounces per day (a 50 pound child would drink 25 ounces of water).