Each time I teach clinical medicine to fourth-year medical students, I pose the following question: "What is the cause of mental confusion in elderly individuals?" Some students respond with "Brain tumors."

To which I respond, "No!"

Others suggest, "Early symptoms of Alzheimer's."

I would respond once again, "No!"

With each rejection of their answers, their responses grow more dry.

And they become more open-mouthed when I list the most common causes:

Dehydration

It may sound like a joke, but it's not.

Individuals over the age of 60 often lose their sense of thirst, and as a result, they stop drinking fluids. When there is no one around to remind them to stay hydrated, they quickly become dehydrated.

Severe dehydration can have a profound impact on the entire body. It can lead to sudden mental confusion, a drop in blood pressure, increased heart rate, angina (chest pain), coma, and even death.

The habit of forgetting to drink fluids begins around the age of 60 when we have less than 50% of the water content that our bodies should ideally have.

Individuals over the age of 60 have a lower water reserve. This is part of the natural aging process.

However, there are more complications. Even though they may be experiencing dehydration, they do not feel the urge to drink water because their internal balance mechanisms are not functioning properly.

In conclusion, individuals over the age of 60 are prone to dehydration, not only because they have a smaller water reserve but also because they may not sense the need for water in their bodies.

Even though individuals over 60 may appear healthy, impaired response performance and chemical function can have detrimental effects on their overall well-being.

So here are two important reminders:

Make it a habit to drink fluids regularly. Fluids include water, juice, tea, coconut water, soup, and fruits that are rich in water content, such as watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, oranges, and tangerines.
It is important to remember to drink a small amount of fluids every two hours.

Keep this in mind!

A message for family members: Always offer fluids to individuals over the age of 60. At the same time, pay attention to their hydration levels and remind them to drink fluids regularly.

If you notice that they are refusing fluids and, from one day to the next, they become easily irritable, short of breath, or less attentive, these are likely recurring symptoms of dehydration.

Feeling inspired to drink more water now?

Share this information with others! TAKE ACTION NOW! Your friends and family need to know and help you become healthier and happier.

It's easy to share with individuals over the age of 60.