STUDY ON PROMOTING FLUID INTAKE FOR PREVENTION OF DEHYDRATION AND HEAT STROKE IN THE ELDERLY

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In order to investigate water supplementation methods effective for the prevention of dehydration and heat stroke in the elderly, the water metabolism and thirst ratings of healthy elderly were studied before and after exposure to heat. This study was carried out over 2 yearsNine elderly males and 4 young control subjects participated in the acclimation study. In the elderly group, the total water intake increased by about 9.5%, and the total urine volume decreased by about 6%. Similar to the results seen in elderly subjects, the total water intake in the young control subjects increased by 2% after acclimation, but the decrease in the urine volume(18%) after acclimation was greater than that in the elderly group. Subjective thirst ratings after sweating with exercise-heat exposure increased after heat acclimation in both groups, but the increment of the rating was greater in the young control subjects (p<0.05).In the present study the elderly appeared to adapt to heat by increasing their fluid intake. However, the water loss due to perspiration and the thirst ratings after heat acclimation were lower in the elderly than in the young subjects, suggesting a slower water turnover in elderly people. Therefore, it is considered necessary to encourage the elderly to develop a deliberate habit of water intake.