Dehydration

Dehydration Kanasia Cross SCI 241 October 10, 2010 Professor Pasquinelli Dehydration Water in the body provides many functions. For instance, water bathes the cells of the body and lubricates and cleanses internal and external body surfaces. Additionally, water is an excellent solvent; glucose, amino acids, minerals, and many other substances needed by body cells dissolve in water. Furthermore, water is important in the regulation of body temperature. Nevertheless, water cannot be stored in the body and is continuously lost, mostly through evaporation and urinary losses, so a steady supply must be consumed or the body may experience dehydration (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2006). Dehydration is the excessive loss of water resulting in depletion of body fluids. For instance, dehydration occurs when the amount of liquid a person loses is more than the amount they gain. Additionally, there are many things that can cause dehydration; the most common are vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, malnutrition, and plain old failure to replenish liquids lost from sweating and urination. However, symptoms of dehydration usually begin with thirst and progress to more alarming manifestations as the need for water becomes direr. The initial signs and symptoms of mild dehydration in adults appear when the body has lost about 2% of its total body fluid. The signs and symptoms of mild dehydration include (but not limited to): thirst, loss of appetite, dry skin, dark urine, dry mouth, fatigue or weakness, chills, and head rush. On the other hand, if the dehydration is allowed to continue unabated, when the total fluid loss reaches 5%, this is considered to be moderate dehydration. The initial signs and symptoms of moderate dehydration include (but are limited to): increased heart rate, increased respiration, decreased sweating, decreased urination, increased body temperature, extreme fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, and tingling of the limbs. However, when the body reaches 10% fluid loss emergency help is needed immediately! 10% fluid loss and above is often fatal! Symptoms of severe dehydration include: muscle spasms, vomiting, racing pulse, shriveled skin, dim vision, painful urination, confusion, difficulty breathing, seizures, chest and abdominal pain, and unconsciousness (Symptoms of Dehydration.com, 2010). Every thought, every movement, and every response the body makes requires that a nerve impulse speed through your body to a target cell. For instance, nerve impulses are created by the movement of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride. Chemically, electrolytes are substances that become ions in solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity. Additionally, electrolytes are present in the human body, and the balance of the electrolytes in our bodies is essential for normal function of our cells and our organs (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2006). Sodium is the major positive ion (cation) located outside the cells in the extracellular fluid. The main role of sodium is to regulate the total amount of water in the body and the transmission of sodium into and out of individual cells also plays a role in critical body functions. Furthermore, many processes in the body, especially in the brain, nervous system, and muscles, require electrical signals for communication. Nevertheless, the movement of sodium is critical in generation of these electrical signals. Too much or too little sodium can cause cells to malfunction, and extremes in the blood sodium levels (too much or too little) can be fatal. A normal blood sodium level is 135-145 milliEquivalents/liter. However, muscle cramps are associated with the deficiency of sodium in the body. On the other hand, too much sodium contributes to high blood pressure in salt sensitive people (Medicine Net.com, 2010). Potassium is the major positive ion (cation) found inside of cells in the intracellular fluid. The proper level of potassium is essential for normal cell function. Among the many functions of potassium in the body are regulation of the heartbeat and the function of the muscles. Nevertheless, a serious abnormal increase in potassium (hyperkalemia) or decrease in potassium (hypokalemia) can profoundly affect the nervous system and increase the chance of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), which, when extreme, can be fatal. The normal blood potassium level is 3.5-5.0 milliEquivalents/liter (Medicine Net.com, 2010). Chloride is the major anion (negatively charged ion) found outside of cells and in the blood. Additionally, an anion is the negatively charged part of certain substances such a table salt when dissolved in liquid. Sea water has almost the same concentration of chloride ion as human body fluids. Nevertheless, chloride plays a role in helping the body maintain a normal balance of fluids. Additionally, chloride functions in combination with sodium to maintain water pressure. Furthermore, it also assists in maintaining acid-base balance. The balance of chloride ion is closely regulated by the body. For instance, significant increases or decreases in chloride can have deleterious or even fatal consequences. Increased chloride (hyperchloremia) may be seen in diarrhea , certain kidney diseases, and sometimes in over activity of the parathyroid glands. On the other hand, decreased chloride (hypochloremia) is where chloride is normally lost in urine, sweat, and stomach secretions. The normal serum range for chloride is 98- 108 mmol/L (Medicine Net.com, 2010). A diuretic is any substance that causes frequent urination and loss of hydration in the body. Additionally diuretics cause the body to expel not only water, but also nutrients that aid in maintaining hydration levels. Alcohol promotes water loss by depressing production of the antidiuretic hormone called vasopressin, which acts on the kidneys, concentrating the urine by promoting the reabsorption of water and salt into the body. For instance, vasopressin helps to regulate the concentration of fluids in the body, and interference with its action leads to an increased loss of body fluid from urination, which can contribute towards dehydration. In the same way, a possible downside to caffeine is its diuretic effect. For instance, at higher doses, caffeine is known to promote some water loss, due partly to increased blood flow to the kidneys and partly to reduced reabsoption of sodium by the body. Nevertheless, this diuretic effect is also governed by the concentration of caffeine in any given drink. For example, an espresso coffee provides around 100mg of caffeine in just 50ml of water, but you’d have to drink around a liter of weak black tea to obtain the same amount of caffeine, significantly hydrating your body in the process (Peak Performance, 2010). Water in the body provides many functions. However, water cannot be stored in the body and is continuously lost. Furthermore, if the body gives off more water than it receives, this could lead to dehydration. In the same way, alcohol and caffeine promotes water loss which produces an increased effect on dehydration. Therefore, drinking the required amount of water 6-8 glasses of water a day helps flush all toxins out of the system. Additionally, avoiding soda drinks and over sugared drinks such as sweet tea can aid in the prevention of dehydration. Nevertheless, try to avoid alcoholic beverages and the overuse of caffeine. References Grosvenor, M.B., & Smolin, L.A. (2006). Nutrition: Everyday choices. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Medicine Net.com. (2010). Electrolytes, Potassium, and Chloride information. Retrieved (October 9, 2010) from http://www.medicinenet.com/electrolytes/article.htm Peak Performance. (2010). Alcohol and Caffeine Dehydration. Retrieved (October 9, 2010) from http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/caffeine-dehydration.htm Symptoms of Dehydration.com. (2010). Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration. Retrieved (October 9, 2010) from http://www.symptomsofdehydration.com/