Is brain damage from dehydration reversible?
Felton Labadie
2025-09-15 16:04:00
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Prolonged dehydration causes brain cells to shrink in size and mass, a condition common in many elderly who have been dehydrated for years. You’ll be able to think faster, focus more clearly and experience greater clarity when your brain is functioning on a full reserve of water. Water gives the brain energy to function including thought and memory processes. Water is also needed for the production of hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain. Since the brain cannot store water and you are constantly losing water through perspiration and other body functions, it’s essential that you continuously hydrate. Studies show that you only need to be 1% dehydrated to experience a 5% decrease in cognitive function. A 2% decrease in brain hydration can result in short term memory loss and have trouble with math computations.
Antwan Parisian
2025-09-15 13:37:52
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Cognitive decline caused by dehydration is usually reversible with treatment in young patients. However, elderly patients who have been chronically dehydrated may not bounce back as quickly or at all, and cognitive decline may be permanent for these individuals. This change in brain size is generally temporary and the body begins producing a normal amount of cerebrospinal fluid when properly hydrated again.
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