The body easily loses water through respiration and sweating during nighttime sleep, leading to severe dehydration upon waking in the early morning.

Doctor Hong Vinh Tuong, a kidney specialist, warns that many cases of myocardial infarction and cerebral stroke occur within 30 minutes of waking. Insufficient nighttime hydration increases blood viscosity, raising the risk of blood vessel blockage. Therefore, he advises people to adopt proper hydration habits.

three signs of dehydration upon waking

In a recent health education video, Doctor Hong Vinh Tuong explained that people can assess their hydration levels without blood tests. They can do this by observing three signs immediately after waking:

Urine color: The first sign is the color of your first urine in the morning. Dark yellow, amber, or even tea-colored urine with a pungent odor indicates significant dehydration. This suggests your kidneys are working hard to concentrate urine and conserve water.

Mental state and throat: Waking up with a dry mouth, a sore throat, dizziness, sluggishness, or slow thinking indicates significant overnight water loss. This condition slows blood circulation, impacting oxygen delivery to the brain. Doctor Hong Vinh Tuong notes that habitual snorers often experience more severe nighttime dehydration and should be particularly vigilant.

Body weight changes: Another method is to track weight fluctuations. Weigh yourself after using the restroom before bed, then again the next morning before drinking or using the restroom. A weight loss of 0,5 to 0,8 kg or more indicates substantial overnight water loss, requiring immediate rehydration.

Doctors advise drinking two glasses of warm water before bed and immediately upon waking to prevent stroke and myocardial infarction. *Photo: Ngoc Pham*

Two 'golden' glasses of water save lives at night and in the early morning

Doctor Hong Vinh Tuong adds that many elderly individuals avoid drinking water before bed due to concerns about nighttime urination. This practice, however, can increase blood thickness in the early morning, elevating the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

To prevent these issues, the doctor recommends adopting the "two golden glasses of water" habit:

The first glass (before bed): Drink approximately 150 to 200 ml of warm water 30 minutes before sleeping. This helps reduce blood viscosity the following morning, and its moderate volume ensures minimal disruption to sleep quality.

The second glass (immediately after waking): Place a glass of warm water on your bedside table the night before. Upon waking, spend about one minute moving your limbs in bed before immediately drinking it. This practice boosts blood circulation and kidney metabolism, significantly reducing the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events caused by dehydration.

Doctor Hong Vinh Tuong emphasizes that individuals with underlying "three high" conditions (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high blood lipids), those who frequently stay up late, or habitual snorers, must prioritize regular hydration. This practice helps prevent nighttime dehydration from increasing the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke.

By My Y (Via Yahoo TW)