Monday, June 5, 2017

PLAIN OLE WATER


Those who have been around my blog a while know I am quick to pass on any health hacks I run across. From cool ways to poop to raising the head of your bed to sleep better have been post topics.  I usually have the zeal of a newly minted Christian wanting to proselytize my readers with my discoveries. Well, I'm at it again.



Water--we all know we can't go three days with out it and we need to keep hydrated for a ton of reasons. I recently discovered one more reason.

As some of you know for the past two years I have wrestled with heart disease and have become a bit bionic in the process. With a pacemaker securely positioned, a stent opening a clogged artery and a 42 pound weight loss, I have felt pretty confident about waking up each morning.

Then early last week, my ole buddy AFIB (irregular and rapid heart beat)  returned. It had been two years and I thought I had put it behind me.  I was feeling pretty bummed when I remembered an email my brother-in-law had sent me recently about the importance water plays in heart health.

Wish I still had it but I deleted it thinking that it held nothing new for me. Sorry Bernie but thank you so much for sending it. Fortunately though the message stuck.

I got on the computer and did a little extra research seeking triggers for AFIB. Sure enough, dehydration is a major trigger. 

Thinking I had nothing to lose, I went to the kitchen and downed about 16 oz of water. In a really short amount of time my heart rate stabilized nicely.

Sometimes when you hear the various guide lines for how much water we should drink per day, it is a bit daunting.  Seniors are notorious for being dehydrated and I admit I gave water little value in my daily diet.

Now I have water constantly sitting on the counter and I hit it all day long. It isn't hard, just takes conscious effort.  Has the AFIB returned since the water therapy? Nope.

You may not have AFIB but perhaps you know someone who does.  They should not ignore medical care but there could be no harm drinking water on the way to get help but even better, staying hydrated thus removing one of the triggers. I plan to.

I am not saying that water cures heart problems and I do have an appointment with my cardiologist.  What I am saying is that why do we fight incorporating such a simple, necessary life force into our daily life that can be effective? We don't have to feel thirsty to be dehydrated.

Think we all remember seeing Hillary Clinton unable to walk unaided to her car during the election then hours later appearing fine while sipping on water. Yep--dehydration was her diagnosis.

Dehydration is serious and you don't have to be face down in a desert or exercising vigorously to realize the effects. Mine hit me while sitting at the computer.

Hope this makes you a little more conscious about making sure you are getting enough water in your diet.

Drink deeply, live long and prosper.

47 comments :

  1. Thanks, Patti. Food for thought!

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  2. I often wonder if my mother's heart issues have been made worse by the fact she never drinks water and very little liquid a day. Thanks for the tip off!

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    1. Joey,
      I know it is really a problem with older people. Drink lots now Joey while you are young and spare yourself.

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  3. You're so right about water! Sometimes we have to learn the lessons the hard way, but glad you didn't have any more serious problems. I've been keeping water at my side and in my car if I go anywhere. I figure if I get stuck somewhere I want to be sure I have some water with me, especially when weather is warm/hot.

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    1. joared,
      You are smart and ahead of the game doing what you do. Wish I had paid more attention years ago.
      I do keep emergency water and high calorie food in my car in a cooler. I too have that worry about getting stuck

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  4. Mrs. Chatterbox is much better at drinking water than I am. I really should drink more.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Stephen,
      Good on Mrs C and do try Stephen, it pays off. Good that you are back now. Can't wait to hear about your trip.

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  5. This past Christmas I had a terrible incident. Was home alone after a big day of activity with family and friends. Called my neighbors and 911 thinking I was having another heart attack. Paramedics arrived and questioned me and determined I was suffering dehydration. The only liquid I had that day was coffee... They had me sip water and still wanted to take me to hospital but I sent them off without me since the water was already bringing me back. This was good information to share Patti. More people need to know the water story.

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    1. Annie,
      Well we both learned the hard way just how powerful water is. Isn't it amazing how quickly it sets the body right again.

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  6. Glad to know that did the trick. I have discovered LaCroix water, which I like to keep in the fridge and love the sound of the pop top when I'm thirsty. I also drink water at the gym and it amazes me how often I have to refill my bottle. You are one of my favorite bloggers so you better take care of yourself, Patti! :-)

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    1. Djan,
      Aww, thanks--back at ya. It is amazing how the more we drink, the more we seem to need. I've noticed that since I have been guzzling. I will have to check out LaCroix water. New to me.

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  7. Thank you Patti, this is a very important topic and you covered it well.

    I am right there with you on Heart health, had my chest cracked open and a defibrillator/pacemaker installed later on, to help me remember to drink water I use a full tea glass every time I take my medication.

    Water is necessary and most people do not drink enough.

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    1. Jimmy,
      You and I are prime candidates to guzzle the wet stuff. So glad you have found a way. Smart. I was just taking a sip of water with my pills for a while. Not good.

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  8. Good information! I do drink a lot of water straight and as coffee and herbal tea, I will continue to do so for sure now.

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    1. joeh,
      Straight is the best and it is good that you do it that way. Keep up the good work, it does pay off.

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  9. Thank you thank you for writing this down. I am a water drinker, but I have had to remind many loved ones to please please please drink some water. It doesn't cure everything, but life doesn't work without it. Glad you are going to see the cardiologist too. Hope all is well and cheers to you...water glass raised high!

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    1. robin,
      I know, why do people fight drinking water so much. Everyone knows it is good for us. I guess we have other not so good but more interesting choices to pick from. Clinking your glass now with mine. Keep up the good work and keep nagging others.

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  10. Very important message here. Thank you for the reminder.

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    1. Olga,
      Thanks, it is something we all know to do but sadly few do.

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  11. Good Advice and SO true...George and I try hard to drink 64 oz of water each day --but I'll admit that it is NOT easy.... We carry big containers with us filled with water when we travel and hike... We even keep our big water containers filled at home (kinda like thermoses)....

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Betsy,
      I knew you and George would be good with this with all the hiking you do and I am so glad that you have made it a priority.

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  12. I used to be very good about drinking plenty of water. Now, I "forget" until I get thirsty and we all know that when you get thirsty you are already a bit dehydrated. I should do like my husband who has his Bubba mug filled at his side all the time.

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    1. Carolyn,
      Ha, maybe you need an "I love Lucy" travel mug to keep up with Bubba.

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  13. I'm going to go get a big glass of water right now. I have been neglecting my water intake and I do know better. thanks!

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    1. Linda R,
      I know, we all know what to do, it just gets put aside too often. Maybe if water cost more we would do better.

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  14. I am at my computer all day but I keep a 1/2 gallon container of sugar free iced tea with me. I finish at least one every day!!

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    1. Fran,
      That is great but I sure hope it is decaffeinated:) I can see your eyes never closing.

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  15. I drink a lot of water in the summer. I need no reminders then as it is hot and very dry here on the mountain. In the winter I often forget and get reminded by leg and foot cramps that I need to drink more.

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    1. Inger,
      You are so right about the leg cramps. I was getting them pretty regular, now none. Another plus.

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  16. Thanks for the heads up,Patti. So far my Mayo ablation has keep the AFib in check for almost a decade.

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    1. TB,
      Wonderful that the ablation worked so well on you. I know some who have not had near the success you have. Keep up the good reports.

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  17. Dear Patti, thanks for the reminder. I used to do a great job of drinking at least 64 oz. of water a day. But I've sort of gotten slack. So, taking your advice, I'm going to keep a bottle of water here on my desk.

    By the way, I've now read Effie Leland Wilder's first three books. I liked them so much--they really spoke to me--that I order a single volume that has all three in it.

    Also I posted about the books and put a link to your posting on her. Thanks so much for recommending her. She has helped me realize that I was resisting living in gratitude. Peace.

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    1. Dee,
      So happy you enjoyed Effie's books also. Weren't they a delight to read? I just passed on the two I had today.

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  18. Water solves a myriad of problems here too.

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    1. Mage,
      We had better not let the pharmaceuticals know or they will make it prescription only and charge us a fortune.

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  19. Great post Patti. AFib is nothing to fool around with. Glad that you managed to right the ship. I drink water all day long. I have my favorite Tervis beverage container (has a palm tree on it!) and have learned to really enjoy drinking water. My husband on the other hand...kind of like pulling teeth!

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    1. Carole,
      I was talking to some friends today about it and I think it is a man thing to resist it with all they've got. We women are more flexible.

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  20. Hi Patti, I'm glad the water is helping you. I don't drink enough pure water, mine is usually flavored with tea or lemons and I love my Pepsi but I try to limit that to 1 or 2 a day. My goal this summer is to wean myself off the sugary drinks and learn to like unsweetened tea. It's hard!

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    1. Cheryl,
      Those are healthy goals you have set for yourself and I think you will be happy when you have made them. I don't miss sodas at all now.

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  21. I am not one to do a lot of drinking of anything. I have to make myself drink water, and some days I don't realized have not had anything to drink until my tongue is sticking to the roof of my mouth. I have been trying to get better at this as I have gotten older. Thanks to your post I will now work even harder at drinking water. Thank you for posting this. Hugs

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    1. Maggie,
      Know what you mean. For most of us, it is not a natural thing to drink water. I too am trying harder to be careful in the future. Let's do this.

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  22. I have fought alcoholism, old age and just plain ornerynous ... but getting on a water regimen seems like an impossibility !!! Thanks for the reminder.

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    1. Ginnie,
      Ha ha, I feel your pain. I have all ready had to stop myself from back sliding once this week. It is a struggle.

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  23. OK... This might be TMI, but Art tells me that my breath is not too sweet if I'm dehydrated. I do have to force myself to remember to drink enough. It's especially easy to forget when you're busy. It's very important in Hawaii too where we tend to sweat a lot. Thank you very much for this reminder, Patti. I'll make more of a concerted effort to remember now.

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  24. You are so right about that. I occasionally have missed irregular beats and than recall I has nothing to drink all day. I have dorce myself to do. I use no coffe tea or other stuff so it is vital I use warer. We even have varieties like San Pell and Perrier . Good reminder to us all.

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