Does anyone know if we are supposed to drink more water than recommended
to the general public (about 8 glasses a day) with our Sjogren's?
Is there any protocol for this?
That 8 glasses a day has no basis in science. I know everyone says it including medical doctors but no one has actually tested it.
No one tells you how many times to breathe in a day - it's the same with water. If we trust our body to tell us when to breathe, we should trust it when we're thirsty. I've seen people say if they drink a cup of coffee or tea then they have to drink a cup of water because tea and coffee are dehydrating. Well they are - but only a teeny tiny amount like maybe a teaspoon - the rest of the water in your tea or coffee - is still water. There?s so much non-scientific mythology built up over this 8 glasses of water command.
Another factor is what are you eating? Lots of dry foods like crackers or bread? Or more whole foods such as fruits and vegetable which have a lot of water in them?
I think it's important to just use common sense. I drink water with food because I have had problems with swallowing - which I think is related to Sjogrens but I have no proof of it. I also sometimes sip water to keep my mouth moist, but I prefer to chew gum. If I feel thirsty, I drink water.
