Why staying hydrated is at the top of my to-do list
Given my CF symptoms, I've tried many ways to consume enough water
The power of water is underrated. If you Google it, you’ll see you can delve into multiple aspects of water’s properties, including how it supports thermal energy, hydropower, transportation, and anti-erosion efforts. It’s a universal solvent (because of its molecular structure), it’s often symbolic (as in the Bible), and it offers spiritual gifts as well.
On average, the human body is 60% water. Staying hydrated is important for health, and for those of us living with cystic fibrosis (CF), it’s particularly vital. In this column I want to share some of the tips and tricks I’ve used to help me stay on top of my hydration game.
Staying well-hydrated helps the mucus in our lungs stay thin and easier to expel. It also helps thin the mucus throughout our bodies, including in our gastrointestinal tract. This advantage helps keep us more regular. I have distal intestinal obstruction syndrome, where impacted waste blocks the small intestines, and I notice a big difference when I’m dehydrated versus well hydrated.
Water also helps protect our kidneys by diluting and filtering the medications we need to take. It can help dilute and regulate blood sugar for those of us with CF-related diabetes. Water can help regulate body temperature and increase energy.
In my adult years, I’ve been susceptible to dehydration, especially during the summer. Having a higher resting heart rate and respiratory rate over the years, as well as chronic lung infections, has also made me prone to dehydration. Before my double-lung transplant, I struggled to stay hydrated. Because of that, my doctor and I agreed that I should get a port to receive monthly intravenous hydration. It helped me tremendously at the time.
Since receiving my lung transplant, though, I no longer have a port. Though my new lungs don’t have the CF infections my native lungs had, I still take a plethora of medications. Since I have stage 3 chronic kidney disease and only one kidney, hydration is an especially vital component in maintaining my health. Taking in enough fluids is on my daily to-do list.
Tips and tricks I use
My transplant team suggests I drink eight 16-ounce bottles of water a day. Each morning I set eight bottles of water on the kitchen table. Eating meals, feeling bloated or full, and losing track of time can make me feel that I’m drinking enough, even though I might not be. As I set each empty bottle on the countertop for recycling, it helps me visually monitor whether I’m on track to reach my goal by the end of the day.
I also found that drinking straight out of the bottle slowed me down. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m taking in air from the bottle, but I am sure that I take in water faster by using a straw. So now I carry my big cup with a lid and straw around the house or wherever I go. It helps me meet my quota of water much easier and quicker.
Many years ago my CF doctor gave me a tip that’s stayed with me. He suggested that every time I’m about to take a sip of water, make it two or three sips instead. If you’re taking a sip, you might as well make the most of it and take a few more. It’s a small trick, but it adds up more than you think.
You can also decide whether you prefer water cold or at room temperature, as I do.
Another way to hydrate is choosing snacks that have a higher water content, such as cucumbers, celery, or watermelon, to list a few. We with CF are usually looking for higher-calorie options, so adding salad dressing on the cucumber and peanut butter on the celery helps accomplish both aims.
Water has been one of the top treatments that keeps my body functioning most effectively. Furthermore, hydrating is free or inexpensive, and it’s easier than most of what we endure while living with CF. Unfortunately, though, I must also relate that as a 53-year-old woman, I’ve found that hydration doesn’t smooth wrinkles as much as I’d hoped, but you can’t win them all, right?
Note: Cystic Fibrosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cystic Fibrosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.
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