Dehydrated Discs Can Cause Extreme Back Pain

by Byran Edwards Lily Pad Ponds

Dehydration is often understood with thirst, dryness, and exhaustion. Consuming less water than required can make your body dehydrated which leads to several problems. There is a strong link between dehydration and back pain. Drinking adequate water not only prevents dehydration but also keeps your body ready to fight different diseases. Doctors often have a common piece of advice for their patients and that is to drink more water to avoid common problems that occur only due to lack of water in your body.

Can dehydration cause back pain?

The simple answer is yes. Dehydration can cause extreme pain in your spine and lower back. The body’s central structural column requires constant liquid to keep your back strong and healthy. However, dehydration can greatly impact your spine and drinking more water becomes a primary solution to relieve back pain in such a condition.

The structure of your spine, the effect of movement, and the way body rehydrates give us insights into how water plays a vital role in our ability to stand and move.

Dehydrated spinal discs

Dehydrated spinal discs can be dangerous and may result in serious problems such as degenerative disc disease. The vertebral discs are full of fluid and when you’re dehydrated, it causes your back to ache. For elderly people, it’s very important to drink water at regular intervals. Inadequate take of water may cause discs to slowly lose their essential fluid. Eating calcium and vitamin D rich foods helps in keeping the spine healthy and strong if you have crossed 60. So if you’re getting enough water, you’re putting more force on your spine which can significantly affect your overall movement.

Spinal discs consist of two portions – the outer ring which consists of cartilaginous end-plates and an inner core which consists of nucleus pulposus (a jelly-like substance mostly consists of water). These discs release water throughout the day and absorb the shock of every movement. To avoid dehydration and back pain, one should take water in adequate volume each day.

Treating back pain

Apart from consuming an adequate amount of water each day to stay hydrated, you can have other treatments to relieve back pain. You may consult to an experienced chiropractor for available treatment options for you. If you have a muscle strain or stiffness in your back or neck, you can ice or heat to reduce pain. You can get more professionals tips from licensed physical therapists and chiropractors to mitigate dehydration and back pain. There may be some other underlying disease that may cause back pain, so it’s better to have proper check-up and x-ray tests.