Dehydration and Joint Pain

Water constitutes up to 80% of cartilage, making hydration crucial for its function.¹ Adequate water levels are essential for maintaining cartilage structure and allowing the movement of molecules within it. Cartilage helps reduce friction between bones in the joints, so if it becomes dehydrated, friction increases, which can lead to joint pain.

Additionally, water plays a role in flushing toxins from the body, which can help lower inflammation and potentially alleviate joint pain. This is particularly important for individuals with arthritis, a condition characterized by joint inflammation and swelling. Dehydration may exacerbate arthritis symptoms and trigger flare-ups of certain types of arthritis, such as gout.²

Moreover, a small study from 2016 suggests that dehydration might heighten the perception of pain.³ Therefore, those already experiencing joint discomfort might find their pain more intense when dehydrated.

Drinking more water typically addresses mild dehydration effectively. However, more severe dehydration may necessitate emergency medical treatment. If you experience symptoms of severe dehydration, it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional.

References:

1. Shiguetomi-Medina JM, Ramirez-Gl JL, Stødkilde-Jørgensen H, Møller-Madsen B. Systematized water content calculation in cartilage using T1-mapping MR estimations: design and validation of a mathematical model. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. 2017 Sep;18:217-20.

• Bear T, Philipp M, Hill S, Mündel T. A preliminary study on how hypohydration affects pain perception. Psychophysiology. 2016 May;53(5):605-10.