DISC(O) - WHY NO WATER MEANS NO PARTY

There are twenty-three vertebral discs in the spinal column.

Very often, they are ignored, overworked, and misunderstood.

Too often, they respond by causing pain and problems.

This is so unnecessary.

The easiest way to help spinal discs work well is to drink water.

What, discs need water?

Check this out:
A vertebral disc is designed to act as a shock absorber between the vertebra.
This is significant because the spine supports approximately 75% of the body's weight -
quite a lot of shocks.

Hydration is critical for the disc to maintain it's height and function as a shock absorber.

At birth, the disc is about 80% water.
But as we age, the water level changes because as the disc tries to take in water, all physical motion drives water out of the disc.
Increased water content occurs after increased rest(i.e sleeping).
Increased water loss occurs after increased activity.

Dehydrated discs can become damaged discs and impact the entire spine.
As a disc loses it's integrity, vertebra that rely on it can become distorted.
And there can be pain.

So, no water, no party.

In Boise this week, the chances of being dehydrated are pretty high.
Bodies are dealing with multiple hydration stressors:
-bad air
-a 100+ degrees heat wave
-air conditioning
-increased activity

Rehydration is key to repairing from this stress overload.

I don't stress about how much water to drink.
The classic and easy to remember: 8x8 (eight glasses, eight ounces each) works really well.

I include soups, salads, and fruits such as watermelon in my 8x8 daily score.

I don't drink coffee, tea, or soda, they contribute to dehydration and subtract from the 8x8 daily score.

Fatigue, headaches, and back pain are not only problems I don't want, they are signs of dehydration. So for me, drinking water is a priority.

I'm going for more disco, and no disco-ohhhh!

Be Spine Tingling,
Dr. Madeline Behrendt
iwomenfilm@gmail.com
For information and education only.