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Gary James Wood -- The warm months are just around the corner and with it comes the need for proper hydration as more Americans take to the outdoors. However, this doesn't mean you should only drink more when exercising or perspiring. Here's why.

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Over 70% of our body is made up of water, and it is widely recognized that it is an essential nutrient for our bodies. There are many common problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, and fatigue that proper hydration to keep optimum levels of fluid in our bodies will lesson or even remove. It's necessary to give our bodies the right tools to help prevent and treat ailments. The right minerals and nutrients combined with a proper intake of good water will assist the body in overcoming many problems.

Immune enhancing nutrients combined with an increased intake of water have been shown in recent studies to be one of the best defenses against most infections. Fluids and rest allow our body to overcome fevers from infections. They help in making us more resistant to other types of infection by increasing our natural ability to resist similar attacks in the future. As always prevention is better than cure.

Most medicines such as pain inhibitors or analgesics don't work in harmony with the body's natural resources. Studies by medical experts, as shown in a recent book Your Bodies Many Cries For Water, reveal that many of the symptoms of pain and discomfort we feel are the body telling us we need more water.

Headaches are commonly caused by improper hydration. The brain releases histamines, which may cause pain and fatigue when it begins to become dehydrated, as it is more than 75% water. You are only masking the problem by taking medications. It is probably better to drink 1-2 glasses of water and have a short break and rest.

Lack of fluids can even cause back pain. The discs in our back are filled with fluid, which helps them absorb and cushion the shocks to the spine. They tend to deflate when not properly hydrated, provide less of a cushion, and stress the shell. Lack of movement can also affect the fluid level in the discs, so you should always try to keep your upper body moving. Even when sitting at a desk you should move your head from side to side and twist your back around to help prevent this, thereby keeping the discs hydrated.

Surprisingly high blood pressure or hypertension can be caused by lower blood volume due to insufficient hydration. Being over 80% water our blood is very susceptible to changes in hydration. When a loss of blood volume is noticed by the body, proper blood flow is maintained by closing off the less active capillary systems in order to keep the more active areas of the body suppliled. Closing these vessels causes a rise in tension in the muscle mass, known as "hypertension." Keeping proper water levels increases the volume of blood and lessens the muscle tension.

Keep your water intake up and you may notice a pleasant improvement in how you feel.

Gary Wood has experienced many health problems, resulting in a liver transplant in August 2003, and has used and tried many methods and supplements to aid him in his return to health.You can find some of these at http://tinyurl.com/ythjlh.

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