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Doctors Preach Hydration to Patients But Often Forget to Drink Water Themselves

Discussion in 'Doctors Cafe' started by Hend Ibrahim, Feb 3, 2025.

  1. Hend Ibrahim

    Hend Ibrahim Well-Known Member

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    Doctors spend their days reminding patients to stay hydrated, yet most of us barely drink enough water to function. Between long shifts, endless patient rounds, and limited breaks, hydration becomes an afterthought—until the dizziness, headaches, and exhaustion kick in.

    The irony? Dehydration affects cognitive function, reaction time, and overall well-being—things doctors need to perform at their best. Yet, we push through it, telling ourselves, “I’ll drink water later.” But later never comes.

    • Why Are Doctors Always Dehydrated?

    1. We Don't Have Time for Water Breaks

    The biggest reason? There’s no time to drink.

    Between rushing from one patient to another, dealing with emergencies, filling out paperwork, and managing endless hospital tasks, stopping for a sip of water seems like a luxury.

    Fact: Studies show that even mild dehydration (losing just 1–2% of body water) can impair cognitive function, short-term memory, and decision-making skills—all of which doctors need at peak performance.

    2. We Avoid Water to Avoid Bathroom Breaks

    Doctors are masters of bladder control because there’s no time to use the restroom.
    • Surgeons go through hours-long procedures without a single break.
    • ER doctors run on adrenaline for 12+ hours straight.
    • On-call physicians might not have access to a bathroom for hours at a time.
    So, we drink less on purpose—which, ironically, makes us feel even worse.

    Fact: Dehydration causes fatigue, headaches, irritability, and dizziness—symptoms many doctors mistake for just being “tired from work.”

    3. We Drink Too Much Coffee Instead

    ☕ Coffee is the lifeblood of hospital staff.
    • Morning rounds? Coffee.
    • Midday exhaustion? Coffee.
    • Night shift survival? More coffee.
    But here’s the problem—caffeine is a diuretic. It increases urination, making dehydration even worse. And since most doctors don’t compensate by drinking water, they end up in a constant state of fluid loss.

    Fact: Drinking only coffee throughout the day can lead to chronic mild dehydration, increased heart rate, and decreased cognitive function.

    4. We Forget to Drink Water (Until It’s Too Late)

    With so many tasks demanding our attention, remembering to drink water isn’t a priority. By the time we feel thirsty, we’re already dehydrated.

    Signs of dehydration that doctors often ignore:
    Headaches (blamed on stress or lack of sleep)
    Fatigue (assumed to be from long shifts)
    Dry mouth (quickly fixed with another sip of coffee)
    Dizziness (written off as being “overworked”)

    Many doctors function on autopilot, pushing through these symptoms instead of addressing the root cause: lack of water.

    • How Dehydration Affects Doctor Performance

    Doctors perform high-stakes tasks, and dehydration can seriously impact our ability to make life-saving decisions.

    1. Cognitive Decline and Poor Decision-Making
    • Even mild dehydration (as little as 2% fluid loss) can reduce focus, memory, and reaction time.
    • Studies show that dehydrated individuals make more errors—a scary thought for anyone handling patient care.
    2. Increased Fatigue and Burnout
    • Dehydration leads to lower energy levels, irritability, and decreased motivation—all major contributors to burnout among doctors.
    • Feeling exhausted all the time? It’s not just sleep deprivation—it might be chronic dehydration.
    3. Higher Risk of Long-Term Health Issues
    • Kidney stones: Common in doctors who don’t drink enough water.
    • High blood pressure: Chronic dehydration causes blood vessels to constrict, increasing stress on the heart.
    • Metabolic issues: Poor hydration affects digestion, nutrient absorption, and metabolism.
    Fact: A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that doctors who are chronically dehydrated experience significantly higher levels of fatigue and mental exhaustion.

    • How Doctors Can Stay Hydrated (Even on Busy Shifts)

    1. Carry a Water Bottle Everywhere

    Keep a large, refillable water bottle at your workstation. If it’s in front of you, you’re more likely to drink.

    2. Set Hydration Reminders
    Use a timer or app to remind yourself to drink water every hour.

    3. Replace Every Coffee with a Glass of Water
    ☕ If you drink coffee, match it with the same amount of water to prevent dehydration.

    4. Take Small Sips During Patient Rounds
    ‍♂️ You don’t need to chug water—small sips throughout the day add up.

    5. Advocate for Water Breaks in Hospital Policies
    Some hospitals are recognizing the dangers of dehydration among staff and allowing mandatory hydration breaks for doctors and nurses.

    Fact: Hospitals that implement hydration programs report higher energy levels and improved cognitive function in their medical teams.

    • The Bottom Line: Doctors Need to Take Hydration Seriously

    We advise patients to drink water but ignore our own basic needs.
    Staying hydrated isn’t just about feeling better—it directly impacts our ability to save lives.
    ✅ More water = Better focus.
    ✅ More water = Less fatigue.
    ✅ More water = Improved health and longevity.

    It’s time we start following our own advice.

    Final Thought:
    We spend our lives caring for others, but hydration is one of the simplest ways to take care of ourselves. It’s time to stop normalizing dehydration in medicine and start prioritizing our own health.
     

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  2. Yevheniia

    Yevheniia Young Member

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    На самом деле не так уж и сложно организовать и дисциплинировать в себе водный режим. Не только медицинскому работнику, а и челевечеству в целом. Я как врач, пусть и с небольшим стажем (незнаю, 16 лет работы + 8 лет учебы), это мало или много..., могу сказать из личного опыта: питьевой режим - неотъемлемая часть моей жизни. Данную привычку я привила себе с детства (никто этому не учил), организм дал сам знать, что ему нужно. И вот уже будучи взрослым человеком, да и тем более медиком, эта замечательная привычка теперь всегда рядом со мной. Конечно, учитывая, тот факт, что находясь на работе больнице, в постоянной суматохе, ответственности, выполнении функциональных обязанностей и т.д., зачастую.не хватает времени, не то что бы на перекус, обед, небольшой отдых, да и просто выпить спокойно кофе, неговоря уже о воде. Но поверьте, свое здоровье важнее. Как бы ценично это не звучало. Потому, что как не Вы, кто позаботится о Вас на рабочем месте? Вы просто превращаетесь в "жертву". Да, хочеться помочь всем, когда, нуждаются именно в твоей помощи. Но возьмите, за правило, и заботиться о себе. Выпейте этот глоток воды, а то и два и три, и Ваш организм вам скожет "спасибо". Ситуации, на работе разные бывают. Но ведь всегда можно с собой носить бутылочку воды, тем более если вы в кабинете, это облегчает ситуацию, если вы на ургенте - поверьте, безвыходных ситуаций не бывает. Пусть лишний раз вы не съедите еду, но воды выпейте. Пусть это не по графику будет, но хотя бы свою норму за день выпевайте.
     

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