Drink Up!

I have observed that whenever, we (me and my friends) go for snacks, most of them leave out the glass of water without drinking. This also happened with my roommate when I was studying, I had to keep her literally at gun point to make her drink water.

I don’t know why people make it a hassle to drink water. Everyone talks about the importance of taking at least 8 glasses of water everyday but how many of us do. Water is an important requisite for the body. Will people drink if they really know the specific benefits of drinking water. Hence, let me elaborate the benefits drinking up!

Stay in Shape: If you gain even few pounds, you try to shed those extra pounds. But in zeal to have perfect shape most of people forget the important requisites. People start skipping food as well as drink less amount of water. But it leads to increase in problems. There are more benefits in ’beautifying’ you physically;
- Water acts as excellent appetite suppressant
- You never feel hungry as your stomach is full, if you drink enough water
- Water is calorie free so there is no harm in drinking water as you are not adding calories
- Water helps the body to metabolize the already stored fat
- Water helps keep our skin healthy and glowing
- Water helps in the reduction of wrinkling, and aids in our ability to flush fat, toxins, and any other unwanted or foreign substance from our bodies.

There is no proven fact that drinking water leads to increase in weight instead directly or indirectly it leads to decrease in weight.

Brain Function: Our brain tissue is actually 85% water; it is not difficult to conclude that water is essential for the optimum functioning of the brain. Plenty of water keeps our thought processes and brain function at optimal levels, and prevents headaches that are caused from not enough hydration.

Regulates Body Temperature: Water helps in regulating body temperature (act as thermostat). This is extremely important if you have fever.

Prevents Dehydration: Lower content of water in your body results into dehydration reducing the level of energy generated in the brain. Studies have shown that with prolonged dehydration, brain cells actually begin to shrink. Prevents dryness of the skin and facilitates the excretion of toxic substances such as urea, ammonia, uric acid, plus the fringe benefit of a healthy looking and youthful complexion.

Carry Nutrients: Water is responsible for carrying the nutrients along with oxygen to cells.

Shock Absorber: Water cushions and protects tissues, organs and joints thus acting as shock absorber.

Remove Toxins: Water helps in detoxifying human body by removing toxins and waste, this prevent frequent headaches which are often times due to such substances.

Constipation and Digestion: Adequate water intake also promotes regular movement because it prevents the formation of dry hard stool. It also helps in absorption of food. Increased water along with high fibre content is known to put end to constipation problems as constipation is regarded as main symptom of dehydration.

Reduce Gastritis: Water is also known to reduce gastritis, ulcers and even heart burn.

Clean Kidneys: Many Maldivians experience, kidney stones and other urinary tract infections (especially girls). Water helps in removal of wastes from kidneys which if accumulated can impair the functioning of kidney. Water protects the urinary tract from infection and stone formation. Bacteria could hardly succeed in colonizing the urinary tract for frequent urination washes away the bacteria, as well as the sediments (preventing the formation of stones).

What can You Do: Drink one half glass of water every hour (waking hours) and two glasses after each principal meal. If you forget to drink after one hour, take one glass of water the succeeding hour. This excludes your intake of other liquid. Eight glasses of water per day is definitely not enough.

Gastroenteritis or Gastric Problems or Vai Hedhun

Almost all of my friends have/had Gastroenteritis at some point of their life. This is commonly known as gastric problems or 'via hedhun' (in Dhivehi). Most of us (including me) don’t know how we get infected with this disease and how to avoid and/or recover. I have had this problem over the last two years.

I found that a viral infection is often considered the main cause of gastroenteritis.

My friends and family have suggested and advice a lot of things about this issue. Some, of course are contradictory with one and other. But based on my bad experience of gastric problems I can assure that anyone can recover within a short time by drinking fluids and following the prescribed diet/should do’s.

Tonight is one bad night, I even feel vomitish. I am guessing the reason for tonight’s discomfort is eating out, from restaurants. Commonly, when I have gastric problems you get a digestive problem in which the stomach and the intestines are inflamed (swollen). Also, there may be other symptoms such as,
-Diarrhea (not happened to me yet)
-Excessive vomiting
-Nausea
-Abdominal cramping, bloating or pain

Anyone suffering from gastric problems has to avoid certain foods, until s/he feels better. One can easily recover from this disorder by following a proper diet that prevents fluid loss.

Should do's:
-Take a lot of liquid: as diarrhea causes dehydration. Excessive vomiting and frequent stools reduce the quantity of water and electrolytes in the body.
-Drinking clear fruit juices or other beverages.
-Drink strong tea: this is a traditional method to cure gastric problems. It can help relieve the patient's pain.
-Eat foods like white rice, apple sauce, white bread and bananas.
-After the symptoms subside, one may include solid foods (white toasts, dry cereal).
-Prefer home cooked food and avoid eating outside.
-Have frequent small meals that are spaced evenly throughout the day.
-After few days, the patient can start eating cooked vegetables, fruits and low fat milk products in small amounts.

Avoid:
-Greasy and citrus foods: they can aggravate the condition.
-Dairy products such as ice cream: can aggravate diarrhea.
-Consumption of caffeinated beverages such as coffee: they can make matters worse.