Drinking Enough

[just_George]

I went to the doctor for a mixture of symptoms one was really light headed. My blood pressure is very low and I have to go for an E,C,G, in the mean time she has advised I drink less tea and aim for 2 ltr of water a day. This is quite daunting for me as I dont like cold drinks. Would fruit teas be ok? any other advice on this please

[murraymints]

less caffeine which can act as a diuretic...suppose fruit tea would be ok..still water...

[woofgang]

What colour is your urine? Rule of thumb is if your urine is pale straw or paler, you are drinking enough. I am a bit surprised that she didn’t suggest decaffeinated tea if the tea is an issue.

[Jackdaw33]

From my own experience of this it is the fluid intake which matters, not the form in which it appears. I would have thought that if you could manage 2 litres of tea, coffee, whatever, it would have the same result.

[murraymints]

woofy makes a good point..the clearer your wee the better..if it is dark then you need more fluids

[ummmm]

My mum drinks warm water with a splash of squash.

I find water with lots of ice is easier to drink.

You know if you're getting enough fluids by the colour of your wee. Ignore the first wee of the morning but after that it should be pale.

[Sqad]

" This is quite daunting for me as I dont like cold drinks. Would fruit teas be ok? any other advice on this please"

Take the advice of your doctor, but as you asked for opinions, I will give you mine.

2 litres is just the medical profession guessing again , but in answer to your question, the 2 litres could be made up of milk, tea, water, fruit juice........etc.
Don't get "bogged down" with this "2 litres"....if you want my advice....drink when you feel like it.

[murraymints]

I drink 2l of water easy...have it with meals..tea in the mornings then water thereafter..but we have nice soft water here..did not drink so much in London or Norfolk where the water was vile and drinking water had to be bought in

[ummmm]

I think the reason they say water rather than other fluids is things like sugar and caffeine content.

[Whoever]

Being lightheaded can often be triggered by dehydration - much more than we imagine, but many people find plain water difficult to drink in large quantities. Fruit teas are fine. Hot water with a slice of lemon or orange and a dash of honey also makes a pleasant change, as does elderflower cordial with hot water, although this might have a higher sugar content than you would like