Seniors should not drink more than 2 liters of water per day

We are always emphasized to drink lots of water to keep the body hydrated. Lack of body fluids does make you prone to dehydration. The elderly are also most vulnerable to this. However, be careful. The elderly should not drink too much water. This can endanger his health. Why is that?

How much water is needed for the elderly?

In general, drinking 8 glasses of water a day (about 2 liters) can meet the water needs of many people. However, actual water requirements vary between individuals. To make it easier for you to measure it, the recommendation is the equivalent of drinking four to six 250 ml glasses (the standard size glass mineral water) per day.

Well, this calculation is different for the elderly. In general, the elderly need more water intake because they are prone to dehydration. Changes in the amount of water required are influenced by many things, including body weight, increased levels of body fat mass, and decreased kidney function due to aging.

In general, water requirements for the elderly are at least 1.5 liters a day. However, according to the recommendation of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the fluid needs of the Indonesian elderly are as follows:

Woman:

60-64 th 2,3 liters
65-80 th 1.6 liters
> 80 years: 1, 5 liters

Men:

60-64 years: 2,6 liters
65-80 years: 1.9 liters
> 80 years: 1.6 liters

Even though they do need more fluid intake, don't let the elderly drink too much water. Excess amount of body fluids will affect their health condition.

What are the consequences if the elderly drink too much water?

Drinking lots of water is good for preventing dehydration. However, drinking too much water is also not good for the elderly.

The kidneys of the elderly are no longer functioning as effectively as the kidneys of young adults for processing fluids. Therefore, too much intake beyond reasonable limits can flush out a large amount of electrolyte salts in the body. The condition of a lack of salt (sodium) is also known as hyponatremia.

In mild cases, low sodium levels in the body tend to cause decreased cognitive function of the brain - such as confusion, confusion, and drowsiness. Nausea and weakness (including weakness or muscle cramps) can also be a sign that sodium levels in the elderly have fallen far from normal.

If hyponatremia continues to a dangerous level, sodium deficiency in the body can cause severe headaches due to fluid build-up in brain tissue. Headaches are the main sign that this condition has become very serious. Serious hyponatremia caused by older people who drink too much water and then cause their bones to break easily.

Seizures can occur when the nerves of the brain are severely deprived of sodium intake. In severe cases, the elderly can experience respiratory failure and even fall into a coma. This is caused by brain swelling due to very low sodium levels.

Apart from drinking too much water, disturbances in the balance of body fluids can also be affected by the side effects of the drugs they use, such as diuretics, antidepressants, painkillers, or the use of other drugs.

How to avoid hyponatremia in the elderly?

This does not mean that you should limit your elderly's fluid intake because this can actually lead to dehydration which is equally dangerous for their health. However, the fluid needs of the elderly must always be closely monitored. Moreover, the recommended fluid intake above does not consider the water content of other foods and beverages, such as fruit and vegetables, soup / soup, porridge, sweetened drinks, and so on.

Also, be more careful when inviting the elderly to do physical activities that require high intensity so as not to become dehydrated. If the activity is high, it is okay for the elderly to drink more water.

Watch out for signs and symptoms of low sodium levels. Always consult with your doctor about the risks of the drugs used. Routinely checking his health can also be a way to find out the possibility of disease.