Health

Water: Drink to Your Health

You probably have heard that the human body can survive much longer without food than without water, but do you know why? Water is a major component of the blood that transports oxygen and nutrients to our cells (Jahns, 2023). In addition, our muscles and most of our organs need water to function. Water helps us digest our food, remove waste from our body, and regulate our body temperature. Water also lubricates our joints and helps regulate our blood pressure. All pretty important jobs, right?

But we are constantly losing water when we sweat, urinate, and even breathe. So how do we make sure we are taking in enough water to keep our bodies healthy?

How Much Water Should I Drink?

That depends. There are many things that impact how much water we need to drink each day, such as our age, sex, activity level, diet, and health status. Due to differences in muscle mass (and because muscle has a higher water content), general water intake recommendations differ for men and women. According to the Dietary Reference Intakes (Otten et al., 2006):

Most women should consume 11½ cups of total fluid daily.
Most men should consume 15½ cups of total fluid each day.

These estimates include fluids both from drinking beverages (including water) and from eating food. It might surprise you that foods provide about 20% of our fluid needs each day (Otten et al., 2006). Considering this, women should aim to drink about 9 cups of fluid daily, and men should aim for 13 cups.

It’s important to get enough fluid in order to help prevent health conditions like constipation, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections (Gordon, 2022).

Is It Possible to Drink Too Much Water?

The short answer is yes. It is possible to drink too much water, but it is not likely for most people. By far, the greater concern is not getting enough fluids.

How Do I Know Whether I Am Getting Enough Fluids?

If you lose more water than you are taking in, you may become dehydrated. Dehydration can cause serious problems for your body. So, it might seem obvious, but if you feel thirsty, drink more water. Your body is pretty good at asking for what it needs. But sometimes you may need water even when you don’t feel thirsty. For example, if you are older, if you are very active, or if you are exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures, your body might have a delayed response. In those cases, it’s important that you drink more fluids even if you don’t feel very thirsty (Gordon, 2022; National Council on Aging [NCA], 2024).

Another way to know if you are drinking enough water is to pay attention to the color of your urine. Your urine should be very pale or colorless. According to the Mayo Clinic (2021), key indicators of dehydration are dark-colored urine and less frequent urination. If you are experiencing this, be sure to drink some water. If you experience symptoms of severe dehydration — including dizziness, confusion, elevated body temperature, or decreased blood pressure — drink water immediately and contact your health care professional.

Special Considerations for Seniors

According to the National Council on Aging (2024), one group of people who are particularly vulnerable to dehydration is older adults. As people get older, they are more likely to have a reduced sense of thirst and may even take medications that can increase the risk of dehydration. Additionally, their bodies don’t regulate body temperature as efficiently as younger adults’ bodies do; therefore, during activity, seniors are more likely to become dehydrated and require more fluids.

Tips for Increasing Your Water Intake

If you are thirsty, drink. Listen to your body.
Water is the best choice. Choose water more often over soda or sugary drinks.
Carry water with you to have it available throughout the day.
Build hydration into your daily routine. Make it a point to drink water at certain times each day so it becomes a healthy habit.
If you do not like the “taste” of water, try flavored, calorie-free waters or add berries, cucumber or lemon slices, or a few drops of lemon juice to plain water.
Avoid or reduce alcohol intake. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it can result in fluid being removed from your bloodstream (Gordon, 2022; NCA, 2024).
Eat more fruits and vegetables. They are naturally high in water content.

References

Gordon, B. (2022). How much water do you need? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Jahns, L. (2023). Water: An important part of a healthy winter diet. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.

Mayo Clinic. (2021).Dehydration.

National Council on Aging. (2024).Hydration for older adults: How to stay hydrated for better health.

Otten, J. J., Hellwig, J. P., & Meyers, L. D. (Eds). (2006). Dietary reference intakes: The essential guide to nutrient requirements. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, The National Academies Press.

Health

This Is the Age When You’re Most Physically Fit

Researchers have pinpointed the age when people reach their peak physical fitness.

In an exhaustive 47-year study, researchers followed 427 people from ages 16 to 63, regularly measuring their height and weight, and testing their fitness by evaluating endurance on a stationary bicycle and the weight they could bench press.

They found that age 35 is the time of peak physical performance for both men and women, according to the study published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. “There is no sex difference in decline with age,” researchers found. They also said that while physical decline is inevitable, active people experience a slower decline.

And the earlier you start moving, the better: “Individuals who were physically active in their leisure time at age 16 maintained higher aerobic capacity, muscular endurance and muscle power throughout the observation period,” the study says.

“This emphasizes the importance of early intervention to establish positive exercise habits in adolescence and early adulthood, as these patterns appear to have long-term benefits for physical function.”

But it doesn’t mean that once you’re 36, it’s all over: “It is never too late to start moving. Our study shows that physical activity can slow the decline in performance, even if it cannot completely stop it,” Maria Westerståhl, lecturer at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and lead author of the study, said in a press release from Karolinska Institutet.

“Now we will look for the mechanisms behind why everyone reaches their peak performance at age 35 and why physical activity can slow performance loss but not completely halt it,” she said, adding that the next step will be to evaluate the subjects when they are 68.

People magazine

Health

Dubai Hernia Summit Concludes Its Second Edition with the First-Ever Inclusion of Diastasis Recti Congress

International experts highlight the shift from cosmetic perception to clinical reality in abdominal wall reconstruction

Dubai, February 6, 2026

The Dubai Hernia Summit (DHS) successfully concluded its second edition in Dubai, marking a significant milestone with the first-ever inclusion of a dedicated International Congress for Diastasis Recti as part of this year’s scientific programme. The summit was held in collaboration with American Hospital Dubai and brought together a distinguished group of international surgeons and medical experts specialising in abdominal wall surgery.

The second edition of the Dubai Hernia Summit took place from January 30 to February 1, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre, further strengthening the event’s position as a regional and international platform for advanced hernia surgery and abdominal wall reconstruction.

A key highlight of this year’s summit was the introduction of Diastasis Recti as a dedicated scientific track for the first time, addressing a condition that is often misunderstood as purely cosmetic. Diastasis recti—the structural separation of the rectus abdominis muscles—is a clinically significant condition that can affect core stability, physical function, posture, and long-term quality of life.

Expanded Scientific Programme

The scientific agenda featured advanced educational tracks, including the Diastasis Recti Masterclass, ETEP Universe, and Advanced Sessions, focusing on evidence-based practice, modern surgical techniques, and functional abdominal wall reconstruction.

The programme welcomed internationally recognised speakers, including Marco Correa, Rodrigo Galhego, Paulo Michels, Luciano Tracia, and Mario Cherubino, who shared global expertise and presented advanced approaches to complex abdominal wall and diastasis recti reconstruction.

Scientific Leadership and Acknowledgements

Dr Hatem Moussa, Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Dubai Hernia Summit and Head of the Department of Surgery at American Hospital Dubai, said the successful conclusion of the second edition reflects the summit’s growing scientific impact and international relevance.

“The Dubai Hernia Summit continues to evolve, and the inclusion of Diastasis Recti for the first time this year represents an important step forward in addressing conditions that require proper clinical recognition and specialised surgical management,” Dr Moussa said.

He added:

“I would like to sincerely thank all the physicians and international experts who contributed to the scientific success of this edition. I also extend my appreciation to American Hospital Dubai and Mr Sherif Beshara for their continued support, commitment to advancing healthcare standards, and their key role in the successful delivery of this year’s summit.”

Advancing Abdominal Wall Surgery

The summit placed strong emphasis on robotic-assisted and advanced minimally invasive surgery, positioning the second edition of DHS as a leading platform for showcasing innovation in hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction. Specialised workshops provided participants with practical exposure to the latest surgical technologies and techniques.

The event was supported by American Hospital Dubai, alongside leading global medical technology companies including Medtronic, Intuitive, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), Johnson & Johnson, and Cambridge Medical Robotics (CMR).

Reinforcing Dubai’s Global Role

The successful conclusion of the second edition of the Dubai Hernia Summit, and the first-time inclusion of the Diastasis Recti Congress, further reinforces Dubai’s position as a global destination for specialised medical conferences, advanced surgical education, and innovation-driven healthcare collaboration.

For more information :
Website: www.dubaihernia.com
Email: info@dubaihernia.com

About Dubai Hernia Summit (DHS)

The Dubai Hernia Summit is a leading medical platform dedicated to clinical excellence in hernia surgery and abdominal wall reconstruction. By uniting a global faculty of surgical pioneers and technology leaders, DHS facilitates high-level scientific exchange and the responsible adoption of advanced surgical technologies to improve patient outcomes internationally.

For media contact

Mourad Alsayed
Mobile: +071588144155
Murad.mustafa@awarenessupr.com

Health

A Major Advance in Complex Spinal Surgery: Saudi German Hospital Dubai Ends 30 Years of Suffering for Scoliosis Patient

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The Spinal Center at Saudi German Hospital Dubai has achieved a significant medical milestone in complex spinal care, successfully performing a highly advanced spinal deformity correction on a patient who had lived with severe, neglected scoliosis for more than three decades.

The condition, which developed during childhood, had progressively evolved into a rigid structural deformity of the spine, resulting in chronic pain, restricted mobility, and long-term physical limitations that profoundly affected the patient’s quality of life.

A Surgical Challenge Requiring Advanced Expertise

This case extended well beyond conventional corrective procedures. Decades of progression had caused the spinal curvature to become structurally rigid, placing the condition among the most technically demanding scenarios in spinal surgery. Such cases require exceptional surgical expertise, meticulous planning, and strict adherence to internationally recognized standards of care.

Led by Professor Hazem Farid, Consultant Spine Surgeon, the multidisciplinary team implemented an advanced surgical protocol aimed at releasing the rigid deformity and restoring the body’s natural axial alignment while minimizing neurological risk.

Precision Techniques and Advanced Safety Measures

The three-and-a-half-hour procedure employed spinal osteotomy, a specialized technique used to reshape and realign solidified vertebrae with high precision. To safeguard neurological function, the surgical team utilized state-of-the-art intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), providing continuous, real-time assessment of nerve signals throughout the procedure and ensuring the highest standards of surgical safety.

A Transformative Outcome

The results were evident within hours of surgery. The patient was able to stand with a corrected posture and walk independently, marking the end of a prolonged period of pain and physical restriction. Beyond the physical correction, the successful outcome also delivered a profound psychological benefit, restoring confidence, mobility, and independence.

Advancing Specialized Spine Care in the Region

This achievement highlights the advanced capabilities of Saudi German Hospital Dubai in managing complex spinal conditions and reinforces its role as a regional reference center for high-complexity specialty surgeries. By combining specialized expertise with cutting-edge surgical technology, the hospital continues to contribute to Dubai’s growing reputation as a leading destination for advanced and sophisticated healthcare.