It’s no secret that drinking water is a huge part of maintaining optimal health. There are many signs that you may be dehydrated, but one you may not think of is how your joints feel. Here’s how hydration and joint pain are linked.
- Cartilage Function
Your body’s joints – your knees, elbows, hips – are up to 80% cartilage. The main job of cartilage is to reduce the friction between the bones while the joint moves. Water plays a crucial part in helping cartilage perform its duty by supporting its structure.
- Eliminating Toxins
Drinking an adequate amount of water daily flushes out toxins from your body. Toxins can cause inflammation – and in the joints, inflammation means pain. It can also worsen symptoms of arthritis.
- Healing from Injury
By keeping your ligaments, tendons and muscles pliable, proper hydration is key in recovering from injury or surgery.
Tips to increase your daily water intake:
- Always have reusable water bottle nearby. Be sure to sip throughout the day
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol which can dehydrate the body
- Eat fruits and vegetables rich in water-content like cucumbers and watermelon
These tips will help keep minor dehydration at bay, but severe dehydration can be a serious condition, therefore it’s important to seek medical help if symptoms continue or worsen. For joint pain that interferes with your daily activities, call the specialists at NEOSM for a consultation.