Stay Healthy, Stay Hydrated

Although grocery store aisles are packed with bottle after bottle of drinks promising great health, it's hard to beat the benefits of water.

Water accounts for about 60 percent of our body weight and every system in our bodies depends upon it. It flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to cells and keeps ear, nose and throat tissue moist. Our bodies are constantly losing water, even when we're not doing anything strenuous. For example, every day we lose water through breathing, perspiring, evaporation through our skin and going to the bathroom.1 To function properly and avoid complications such as constipation or kidney stones, we must then replenish our bodies with fluids and foods that contain water.

In 1991, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine demonstrated that "channels" in the body regulate and facilitate water molecule transport through cell membranes. This discovery led to him receiving the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. These channels, dubbed "Aquaporins," allow water molecules to flow freely into cells while a selective filter prevents other elements from entering. Thousands of millions of water molecules per second can pass through one single channel.2

How do you know if you and your residents are drinking enough water? To determine how much fluid a resident should consume on a daily basis, CMS recommends multiplying body weight in kg (2.2 lbs = 1 kg) by 30 cc, except for residents with renal or cardiac distress (these individuals can be harmed by having an excess of fluids in their bodies).3 Using drinking cups with graduation marks can help you keep track of how much liquid a resident is consuming. The following strategies can help residents stay hydrated throughout the day:

• Offer a variety of fluids (water, fruit juice, milk, etc.) between meals and encourage residents as appropriate
• Offer bottled water that is easy to carry throughout the facility
• Serve additional beverages with meals to help increase fluid intake
• Make sure filled water pitchers and drinking cups are easily accessible to residents
• Offer alternate fluid sources, such as popsicles, gelatin and ice cream

ProMed stocks everything you need to keep your residents hydrated, including disposable cups, pitchers and high-quality bottled water. To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

References
1 Mayo Clinic. Water: How much should you drink every day? Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256. Accessed April 2, 2014.

2 Nobelprize.org. Popular Information: Information for the Public. Available at: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2003/popular.html. Accessed April 4, 2014.

3 State Operations Manual. Appendix PP – Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities. Rev. 70, 01-07-11. Available at: http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_pp_guidelines_ltcf.pdf. Accessed April 2, 2014.