Memory Matters

By Amy Hoffmann Schenk, RN, BSN, MS Ed, Community Engagement Lead Neuropsychiatric Research Center of SW Florida

There are many reasons to live in southwest Florida. The wonderful weather, beautiful beaches, no state income tax, and many activities to enjoy. And while the weather may be a big draw, we know in the dog days of summer, like August, it is extremely hot and humid. One of the things that can impact our quality of life is becoming dehydrated in the summer heat. As we age, we are at higher risk for dehydration. Our brain can be impacted by dehydration, so we want to ensure we are staying hydrated because a hydrated brain is a happier brain. Let’s look at some of the reasons for this, and also identify some tips to stay hydrated.

So how do you know if you are dehydrated? There are a number of ways, but one of the easiest ways to identify if you may be dehydrated is noting the number of times you go to the bathroom. According to Dr. Dana Cohen, the co – author of Quench, a book about the science behind hydration, going to the bathroom every two to three hours is an indicator of adequate hydration. Simply stated, if you are not urinating, you are not drinking enough.

That begs the question, well if I drink when I am thirsty, I should be hydrated, right? Unfortunately, that is not the case. Particularly as we get older, not only does our body composition change, but by the time we feel thirsty, we may already be in the early stages of dehydration. Those of us over the age of 65 have less water in our bodies than younger adults or children. Many of us simply do not drink enough fluid, for a variety of reasons.

Water is important and necessary for almost every bodily function. Lubrication of joints, pumping blood through our body and regulating body temperature all need adequate water. According to a report by the National Institute of health, it’s estimated that between 17% and 28% of older adults are hospitalized due to dehydration! Signs of dehydration can go unrecognized, or may be attributed to another condition. A few symptoms of dehydration include fatigue and weakness; dizziness and/or loss of coordination; dry mouth and/or dry cough; headache and muscle cramps and chills or heat intolerance.

Another area of concern is that in some cases, dehydration can cause confusion, memory loss and anxiety. Some studies have shown that dehydration can have an impact on one’s ability to perform complex cognitive tasks, as well as challenges with attention, executive function, and coordination. Women tend to be more sensitive to the impact of dehydration, and older women are particularly vulnerable. When our bodies lose more water than is replaced, dehydration will occur, and optimal brain function is affected.

Having a healthy brain is one of the things we care about at NPRC. Here are some tips to help you stay hydrated. Please note if you have other health conditions, be sure you are discussing fluid intake with your health care provider.

• Keep track of what you are consuming. 8 – 10 servings of 8 ounces of fluid a day is a good guideline. There are a number of apps you can add to your phone to help you. Keeping track manually works as well.

• If water is not your favorite beverage, look at other options. Perhaps water is more palatable with some fresh fruit added in. Or you can add a splash of juice to your water. Be mindful that some fruit juices contain added sugar, which can be a concern if you are pre-diabetic or have diabetes.

• Enjoy beverages with caffeine in moderation as they can have a mild diuretic effect.

• You don’t have to just drink, you can eat foods high in water content. Some examples include watermelon, cucumbers, lettuce, celery, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries, melon, and bell peppers are all good choices.

Be mindful of your fluid intake here in beautiful and hot southwest Florida to keep your brain in tip top shape. Do you have concerns about your memory or cognitive functioning? To make it easy to get a memory screen, the Neuropsychiatric Research Center of Southwest Florida (NPRC) offers free memory screens at our office. To schedule your free memory screen, contact us at 239-939-7777. Please bring a list of your current medications to your appointment. The screening and all services provided at our center are at no cost to you and we do not ask for any insurance information. At the Neuropsychiatric Research center there are many innovative clinical studies that are focused on addressing memory issues. Take charge of your brain health and schedule your free memory screen today! #Memoriesmatter

References:
Brainadvance.org:Water and the Brain
nia.nih.gov
ncoa.org

Contact NPRC at 239-939-7777 today for your free memory screen.