Health Tip of the Week, sponsored by Baton Rouge General: Is there a connection between dehydration and back pain?

Most people know the importance of drinking water, yet 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, which can lead to more than just thirst or fatigue. Increasing the amount of water you drink could help alleviate or even eliminate frequent back pain. Normal activities like running, bending and jumping are hard on the discs between the vertebra in the spine and wear them down over time. Lack of water causes them to thin, which decreases the density of the tissue or the cushion. Rehydration of disc and connective tissue in the body happens at night when the body is at rest, but you must have consumed enough water that day for the process to happen correctly. Learn more about dehydration and back pain.