{"id":1917,"date":"2020-01-21T20:58:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-21T20:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reversingdiabetes.xyz\/blog\/2020\/01\/from-edema-to-dehydration\/"},"modified":"2021-05-03T19:52:56","modified_gmt":"2021-05-03T23:52:56","slug":"from-edema-to-dehydration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reversingdiabetes.xyz\/blog\/from-edema-to-dehydration\/","title":{"rendered":"from edema to dehydration"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When I was released from the hospital with CHF, I was given instructions to avoid a future hospitalization. Of course, there were fluid and sodium restrictions; it was suggested I assuage thirst with gum or mints. I was given a scale and told to weigh myself daily; in the event of a gain overnight, my Lasix dose might need adjustment.<\/p>\n

As such, when I began my fast, my electrolyte drink only contained potassium, not sodium. And I had a bad habit of eating mints instead of drinking when I was thirsty. As I explained in my electrolytes post<\/a>, fasting causes a significant loss of sodium and water via lowering insulin.<\/p>\n

During my fast, I\u2019d gotten off carvedilol and lisinopril entirely and cut my lasix dose to 1\/4 by increments as my BP dropped. I\u2019d lost 13 pounds during my fast and believed that to be nearly entirely water. My feet and legs looked normal; I wasn\u2019t even using the lymphapress anymore. I was in my older bras, with a 2 inch shorter band then when I began.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the problem with avoiding sodium and training yourself to eat mints instead of drinking when thirsty: it\u2019s very easy to become dehydrated when insulin goes down.<\/p>\n

About 8 days after my fast, I felt dizzy and lightheaded. Neither my BP nor my bG were particularly low. When I got up to go into the kitchen, I felt nauseous and decided to eat some salt. As I reheated meat for my salad, I thought I\u2019d hit the john since it had been several hours; almost nothing came out.<\/p>\n

When I realized I\u2019d dehydrated myself, I threw the mints out. I drank 24 oz water before dinner and 32 oz afterwards. And immediately, sodium was added to my daily electrolyte drink.<\/p>\n

Electrolytes<\/a> are crucial<\/i> when fasting. And so is water.<\/p>\n

But if you think there\u2019s some minimal amount of water you need, check out Dr. Berry\u2019s take on this:
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