How Dehydration Affects Your Spine
in Vacaville

When you hear the word 'dehydration', you immediately think of dryness, fatigue, and thirst. But one of the unexpected results of dehydration is back pain and spine problems in Vacaville. Water is important for several bodily functions, metabolism changes, skin and energy levels, but it can even affect the inner workings of something more important like your organs and tissues. The spine and other back elements contain a significant amount of water, which means that a lack of water will impact your motion and overall health.

PROBLEMS DEHYDRATION CAUSES IN VACAVILLE

Can dehydration cause back pain or spine problems?

The way dehydration affects your spine is due to its direct link to the central structural column which is the spine. Your spine is essential to your health since it ensures that your back is intact. The level of hydration in your body can have a significant impact on your spine. The impact of movement, the makeup of your spine, and the way your body rehydrates can provide insight to how your water input changes your ability to move easily.

1. Spinal construction - Your spine consists of discs, cartilage, and vertebrae, where the purpose of this structure is to secure your spinal cord. Each day, your spine undergoes several jarring motions and your discs ensure your vertebrae will not grind together thus providing flexibility and relieve any harmful shock. The vertebrae contain liquid or nucleus pulposis, and a cushioned portion of water. The outer layer can bend but they are sturdy enough to protect the inner contents. Your discs undergo a natural process where it loses and regains water regularly. They reabsorb as exertion happens and your entire system is replenished with water.
2. Spinal rehydration - For regular exertion and most healthy bodies, your discs rehydrate at night with the water that you have drank during the day. This is a process known as intradiscal fluid exchange since the hydration process replaces the old fluids. The tissue in your discs becomes replenished when your body is at rest and will undergo a restorative process. This allows your discs to become plump and get back their cushioning qualities again. Their consistency, shape, and sizes are restored, which allows your body to perform basic motions.
   • Getting a good night's sleep can restore your flexibility but with the degeneration that has happened through the years, the gradual bulging will cause herniated discs or other painful conditions. Your body prioritizes hydration on your organs first, so if there is not enough water is being channeled to your organs and other areas such as the spine, these secondary areas will suffer the most.
3. Movement and gravity decreases water - The wear and tear your discs undergo will allow the water loss to thin them out, thus altering its tissue density. Your daily movements such as walking, running, jumping, and bending will reduce the fluids in your spinal discs. These pressures from your daily activities take away the water from the discs plus the gravity that presses on these discs can also reduce the water that is stored in them. The constant stress and pressure can also trigger the degeneration of your discs. One effect that loss of water causes is the reduction of your disc size and its inability to cushion-like they used to. You will suffer some difficulties in your movement once your discs have shrunk enough and are unable to maintain the proper distance and connection of your vertebrae and cartilage.

If you start experiencing back pain or spine problems, make sure to find a treatment facility near you right away. For those who are in the Vacaville area, you can set up an appointment with Dr. Alex Tam of Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine to get it checked and have it treated if need be.