Dehydration Contributes to Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Hormones that may be Affected by Hypothalamic Dysfunction
The hypothalamus is the master gland controlling the activity of most other glands in the body.
This small gland coordinates a phenomenal portion of the body’s activity. The hypothalamus receives and transmits messages from the nervous system and hormonally through the circulatory system.
Because of its broad sphere of influence, the hypothalamus could be considered the homeostatic regulating center. It regulates appetite, monitors blood sugar, blood volume (fluid level within the circulatory system), and metabolism. It is the coordinating center for much of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is like our little robot that controls all of our unconscious functions including breathing, heartbeat and digestion.
Low Vasopressin (anti-diuretic hormone).
This causes decreased ability to hold on to fluid resulting in frequent urination and increased thirst.
Dehydration then occurs despite increased water intake. Because vasopressin is also a stimulus for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and adrenal function, low vasopressin could also result in decreased adrenal function. Both dehydration and low cortisol (a hormone secreted by the adrenals) can increase the susceptibility to NMH.
“How do you tell who has the worst case of FMS or CFS? By the size of their water bottle.”
Dehydration can cause many of the chronic symptoms seen in FMS and CFS including NMH, depression, excess body weight, high blood pressure, fatigue, low back and neck pain, and headaches.
Dehydration depletes the neurotransmitter serotonin. A reduction in serotonin is associated with insomnia, increased pain and depression and is a major cause of fibromyalgia!
From Dr. Batmanghelidj and his book “Your Body’s Many Cries for Water” comes the following;
“The human body is composed of 25% solid matter (the solute) and 75% water (the solvent). The brain tissue is said to consist of 85% water…It is the solvent-the water content-that regulates all functions of the body, including the activity of all the solutes (the solids) that are dissolved in it.
The disturbances in water metabolism of the body (the solvent metabolism) produces a variety of signals, indicating a “system” disturbance in the particular functions associated with water supply and its rationed regulation. Let me repeat, every function of the body is monitored and pegged to the efficient flow of water. “Water distribution” is the only way of making sure that, not only an adequate amount of water, but its transported elements, hormones, chemical messengers and nutrients first reach the more vital organs…
However, since water shortage in different areas of the body will manifest varying symptoms, signals and complications now labeled as disease, as soon as water is offered as a natural solution, people may think this could not be so!”
I recommend my patients drink pure water-half their weight in ounces on a daily basis.
The above material comes from my book “Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.”
You can read more about my book by clicking the link below-
We have raised 5 children and the two youngest still live @home:). All but the two oldest(different mother) have been raised to love vegetables, salads, fruit yogurt and water !! We buy soda- mostly sprite or bottled root beer for holidays and special occasions or if the kids needed something to settle their stomach and we all love good ice cream!! However I’ve switched to frozen Greek yogurt !! I love it personally and Nutella lol. Now they’ve grown our three still love and get mad if we don’t have fresh fruit especially and they love vegetables still and drink water all day :)!! We have pure rite water delivered because our water is very hard and I can’t stand the tap 🙁 plus I worked briefly for them and we get a good price !! As for the oldest two – now 28& 30 – their mother let them eat candy soda beer and they hate water fruit and vegetables ! (Most of them ) !! I still have bad days but they get fewer as time goes by and I sleep at night and eat right manage stress take walks with my amazing husband and most of all trust Jesus with my whole heart :)!