More than 70 percent of the human body is made up of Water and each system relies heavily on it. Since time immemorial, nutritionists and health experts worldwide have emphasized water's importance to our bodily functions, but not at all find it easy to keep hydrated.
Take me for example. This year alone, I've been hospitalized twice. Earlier this year, I contracted the dreaded dengue fever, which reduced my platelet count to 10. It's a life-threatening disease, yes, and while the experience allowed me to believe that it was partly my fault (for going on a trip without a mosquito repellent), I'd like to think it was mostly the mosquito's fault.
The second hospitalization, however, was entirely my fault. You see, despite contracting dengue, I was still in that phase in life where you think you're invincible, because why not, I'm young. The universe slapped me in the face when the diagnosis read: Acute Pyelonephritis.
Acute pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney tissue, calyces, and renal pelvis. It is commonly caused by bacterial infection that has spread up the urinary tract or traveled through the bloodstream to the kidneys. And while the culprit here is bacteria, what made it worse is, according to my doctor, the lack of water. So yes, I almost died because my body wasn't properly hydrated and it damaged by kidneys so bad.
Clearing the fog out
So we've fully laid out water's significance, right? What most people don't realize though is, water can alleviate some pesky adult issues that befall us on a daily basis. Let's focus on brain fog, shall we?
Brain fog, or brain fatigue, can be a mild to severe episode of mental confusion that can strike without warning.
It happens to all of us – you're suddenly dysfunctional. The good news is, the quickest and easiest remedy is a grab away – that's right, water.
Water, water, and more water
Statistics indicate that the average person in the U.S. drinks less than a liter of water a day. This is alarming considering our body loses over two liters daily in its normal functioning.
So when you find yourself one of these days unable to focus or concentrate and with bouts of memory problems, it could be that your body is begging you for water.
Brainpower is a limited resource and your brain without water is like a mobile phone without a proper charger. Dehydration does immediate damage to your mental abilities and it even shrinks your brain, research shows.
A trick to make hydrating easier
I know I'm not alone in my irrational belief that water is boring, but if you keep thinking that way, the consequence won’t only affect your health, but your wallet as well. Avoid the hassle and start your day by drinking 1 to 2 glasses of water right after you wake up. To make it less boring, spruce up water with lime or lemon, and you can also add orange or cucumber slices now and then.
Always reach for a glass of water if you think your brain is starting to betray you. Your body will thank you for it.
