Dehydration

| Dehydration | The Effects on the Human Body | | Holly Wetzel | 9/23/2011 | Sci/241 | The Effects on the Human Body Water is essential to health maintenance for a multitude of reasons. The average adult’s weight is composed of 60% water (associated content). The human muscles consist of 75% water, and the human bones are composed of approximately 25% water. Water is located inside and outside of the human cells. Held in cells by proteins, sodium, and potassium (electrolytes), water is essential to human life, as well as the quality of health one has. The flow of water makes sure that bodily fluids are distributed properly. Water dissolves glucose, amino acids, and minerals; it also breaks apart molecules and regulates the body temperature. Without water, the human body will begin to dysfunction, and eventually die. Dehydration is the term used for when the body is lacking the proper amount of water and fluids. Dehydration can occur from the loss of bodily fluids (sweat, vomiting, and diarrhea) or not consuming enough water to begin with. Symptoms of dehydration include: dry or sticky mouth, low/no urine output, not producing tears, sunken eyes, lethargic or comatose (severe dehydration), flushing, low endurance, rapid heart rate, elevated body temperature, onset of fatigue, headaches, dry skin, low blood pressure, and dizziness. These are only a few of the effects of dehydration on the human body. The ultimate consequence of dehydration is death. Sodium, potassium, and chloride are what make up electrolytes. There is an electrical current through the body that is caused by charged ions, called electrolytes. Sodium is responsible for aiding in nerve transmission and muscle contraction. The lack of sodium may cause muscle cramps. Potassium is also an aid in these areas, but a lack of potassium can cause an irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and also muscle cramps. Chloride is responsible for balancing the body fluids. It is rare to find an individual with this deficiency, as it is found in most processed foods and salt. Just as a lack in these substances can be harmful, so can too much. Too much will cause the body to stop functioning properly. Alcohol and caffeine deplete the body’s hydration level. Alcohol eludes the body into thinking it is getting fluids, when it is really only absorbing alcohol, even though it still produces urine. Caffeine is sugar, so consuming too much can cause the body to dehydrate and dysfunction. Alcohol and caffeine can be extremely dangerous, if not used in moderation. There are numerous things that can help ensure that a person will remain hydrated. If exercising, one needs to be sure to consume water (or some form of electrolyte drink such as power aid) every few minutes, even when they do not feel thirsty. When you sweat, your body loses fluids that need to be replenished in order to maintain hydration. This will also aid the body in temperature regulation, which can be imperative in hot weather or with extreme exercise. Water is always the best option to rehydrate when exercising or in hot weather, because sports drinks can contain a lot of sugar, which is bad for hydration. One should always try to replace fluid loss with more fluids. The first signs of dehydration are dry mouth and thirst. Water is vital to every part of the human body. For example, in the brain cells, water makes it possible for nerve impulses to be generated and transmitted. In the heart muscles, water makes it possible for them to contract, which allows the heart to beat. In the bowel, water aids in digestion and absorption functions. In the liver cells, water catalyzes all detoxification processes. In the kidneys, water transfers toxins into the urine. In the cartilage, water protects the ends of bones in a joint, preventing arthritis. These are only a few ways that water is vital to the human body, and how it functions. Medication, exercise, vomiting, diarrhea, weather, etc… are all major ways to become dehydrated. Water is vital to every part of the human body. Thirst means that one is already dehydrated. There are numerous ways to remain hydrated, but education and awareness are the two best ways to learn how and remain so. References http://www.oxygen-review.com/dehydration.html http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000982.htm http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/902105/the_effects_of_dehydration_on_your.html'cat=5