Chronic Dehydration

Adapted from "The Water Prescription"
by Christopher Vasey, N.D. (Inner Traditions 2006)


Most people don't think they need to worry about dehydration. To them, dehydration is something that happens to travelers in the desert when they run out of water. But there is a chronic form of dehydration that does not have the sudden and intense nature of the acute form. Chronic dehydration is widespread in the present day and affects everyone who is not drinking enough liquid.


This list of 13 symptoms will inspire you to go get a glass of water, and then another, and another...
After each symptom we will show how lack of fluid affects the issue.


1. Fatigue, Energy Loss: Dehydration of the tissues causes enzymatic activity to slow down.

2. Constipation: When chewed food enters the colon, it contains too much liquid to allow stools to form properly, and the wall of the colon reduces it. In chronic dehydration, the colon takes too much water to give to other parts of the body.

3. Digestive Disorders: In chronic dehydration, the secretion of digestive juices are less.

4. High and Low Blood Pressure: The body's blood volume is not enough to completely fill the entire set of arteries, veins, and capillaries.

5. Gastritis, Stomach Ulcers: To protect its mucous membranes from being destroyed by the acidic digestive fluid it produces, the stomach secretes a layer of mucus.

6. Respiratory Troubles: The mucous membranes of the respiratory region are slightly moist to protect the respiratory tract from substances that might be present in inhaled air.

7. Acid-Alkaline Imbalance: Dehydration activates an enzymatic slowdown producing acidification.