Health Guide for Elderly Diseases

Author: Yu Xiaoping, Qian Peifen / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features:
10 Green tea is favored in China, Japan, and India for its health benefits. It purifies the body, boosts energy, and keeps the mind alert. Green tea contains vitamin C, with an average of two small cups of tea providing the same amount of vitamin C as a glass of orange juice. It also contains polyphenols and catechins, which can prevent scurvy, as well as antibacterial substances and fluoride. Studies have shown that green tea is effective in preventing lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and tooth decay.
11 Elderly people should drink water even when not thirsty
After the age of 60, the body's water content decreases by 30%–40% with age, leading to chronic dehydration. Due to their duller senses, elderly people may not feel thirsty when their bodies are dehydrated. Some may even attribute thirst to insufficient body fluids ("lack of fluids"). Others intentionally reduce their water intake to avoid inconvenience, especially at night, fearing it will disrupt sleep.
Most people believe that drinking water is only for quenching thirst, and they only drink when they feel thirsty. However, this is incorrect. Not feeling thirsty does not mean the body does not need water. If you do not drink water for a long time, the amount of water in the bloodstream will decrease, blood viscosity will increase, and it may lead to the formation of blood clots in the brain or cardiovascular system, potentially causing a heart attack. Brain clots often occur in the morning because elderly people lose too much water overnight after waking up. Reduced water content can also impair the kidneys' ability to excrete waste. Therefore, for health, elderly people should develop the habit of drinking some water daily, even when not thirsty.
12 What kind of water is best?
China has a long-standing tradition of drinking a cup of fresh cool boiled water on an empty stomach in the morning. Fresh cool boiled water is a "degassed" water with very little air. Its strong molecular cohesion and surface tension make it closer to the water in human cells, allowing it to be easily absorbed by cells and promoting metabolism. Cool boiled water has a strong "affinity," easily penetrating the skin and keeping subcutaneous fat in a semi-saturated state, making the skin appear softer. Experts have also conducted experiments on the time different sugary drinks stay in the stomach, finding that the higher the sugar content, the longer they stay, and the less they quench thirst. Therefore, fresh cool boiled water is considered the best choice for quenching thirst.
13 Appropriate water intake for elderly people
Elderly people have specific considerations when drinking water. On average, elderly people excrete 2,500 ml of water daily, while solid foods provide 1,000 ml of water, and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats produces another 300 ml. To maintain water balance in the body, 1,200 ml of water must be supplemented from liquid beverages. Therefore, elderly people should pay attention to drinking water at the right time and in the right amount, aiming for about 1,000–1,500 ml per day, preferably plain water or tea. It is generally recommended to drink in small sips, no more than 300 ml at a time. Drinking large amounts of water at once can rapidly increase blood volume, putting additional strain on the heart and kidneys. Drinking a little water before each meal can stimulate the secretion of digestive fluids, thereby improving appetite. Elderly people with poor memory or those in advanced age may benefit from a "water-drinking schedule." A chart with eye-catching images indicating when and how much to drink can be posted in the room as a reminder. Drinking water at night should not be restricted, and the amount should be adjusted based on the elderly person's habits, bedtime, and actual nighttime urination. To avoid disrupting sleep, a glass of water can be prepared before bed. After getting up to urinate at night, drinking 100–150 ml of water in moderation will generally not increase nighttime urination frequency and may help prevent excessively thick blood in the morning.
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