My comment about dehydration is in general not heat related. I am a 62 year old woman and last winter while awaiting my scheduled major craniotomy, I became so anxious that I found it very difficult to eat. I was sure to drink normal amounts, but could only eat a little like applesause, yogurt, too little to be gearing up for such a major operation. A week before the operation I was rushed into the hospital becuase I was showing problematic signs for the condition I was being operation for (Dural AV Fistula) The Dr. read me the riot act and told me that I was about to face the life or death fight of my life and that If I didn't get prepared for it I would loose. I had become severely dehyrated and malnourished. I was kept over night on IV's, and lectured. I learned that one reason that drinking plenty of fluids is important (especially if you are ill, or it is hot) is because without adaquate fluids, the nutrients from the foods you eat will not be moved along to reach the appropriate parts of the body to nourish it, therefore contributing to my malnutrition. In my case he said it didn't matter what I ate it was the calories that were more important, but eating nutritionally of course would be a plus. The brain is almost all water and a dehydrated brain does not do well in surgery. Another tip he told me was that if you don't like water (I hate it!) if you can tolerate gaterade it is equaal to having 2 waters.
At first I did not like this young asian neuro seurgeon who was part of the team because of the way he spoke to me, but I ended up really liking him a lot and respecting him. I know now it was his way of making sure he got through to me and I credit him along with the rest of the team for saving my life.
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My comment about dehydration is in general not heat related. I am a 62 year old woman and last winter while awaiting my scheduled major craniotomy, I became so anxious that I found it very difficult to eat. I was sure to drink normal amounts, but could only eat a little like applesause, yogurt, too little to be gearing up for such a major operation. A week before the operation I was rushed into the hospital becuase I was showing problematic signs for the condition I was being operation for (Dural AV Fistula) The Dr. read me the riot act and told me that I was about to face the life or death fight of my life and that If I didn't get prepared for it I would loose. I had become severely dehyrated and malnourished. I was kept over night on IV's, and lectured. I learned that one reason that drinking plenty of fluids is important (especially if you are ill, or it is hot) is because without adaquate fluids, the nutrients from the foods you eat will not be moved along to reach the appropriate parts of the body to nourish it, therefore contributing to my malnutrition. In my case he said it didn't matter what I ate it was the calories that were more important, but eating nutritionally of course would be a plus. The brain is almost all water and a dehydrated brain does not do well in surgery. Another tip he told me was that if you don't like water (I hate it!) if you can tolerate gaterade it is equaal to having 2 waters.
August 3, 2011 - 5:49amAt first I did not like this young asian neuro seurgeon who was part of the team because of the way he spoke to me, but I ended up really liking him a lot and respecting him. I know now it was his way of making sure he got through to me and I credit him along with the rest of the team for saving my life.
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