How's Your H2O Level?

Joyce Remy

Water makes up about 65 percent of your body. Drinking enough water each day helps maintain every body system and is essential for good health. Drinking too little water can result in headaches, fatigue, constipation, and mental exhaustion and also places you at higher risk for such conditions as kidney stones, digestive problems and vascular stress.

You may actually need more water than you think! The average person should drink around eight glasses of water a day, but exercise and hot weather increase the need. So keep that water pitcher close by!

Our thirst mechanisms signal us less strongly as we grow older, so older adults especially should get in the habit of drinking water at regular intervals, rather than just when thirsty.

Caresource Healthcare Communications