Dehydration

Dehydration SCI/241 Dehydration Over 90% of the world’s surface is water. However, 98% of it is salt water. Only 2 % is fresh water that can be drunk, and of this, almost all of it is trapped in frozen glaziers. You are what not only what you eat, you are what you drink. That is why water is so important to the health of the body. The food that is eaten every day contains some fluids, but to ensure the body gets enough fluids water is essential. Water is the basis for life and that includes the body. Water is vital to the body’s wellbeing, function, and health. Two thirds of a person’s body weight is made up of water, without water a person could die within just a few days. A person wouldn’t think of running their car with no gas or oil in it, a body is the same as a car, it needs lubrication to function, water is vital to the body just as fuel and oil are to a car. As little as a 2% drop in water supply to the body can trigger dehydration and cause problems to the body. The brain is made up of 95% water, blood is 82%, and the lungs 90%. (APEC, 2011) For the mechanics of the human body to function effectively, water is important. All the cells and organs functions that make up the entire anatomy and physiology depend on water for their functions. Water serves as a lubricant, water forms the base for saliva, and water forms the fluids that surround the joints, water regulates the body temperature, as the cooling and heating is distributed though the body as perspiration, water helps to alleviate constipation by moving food through the intestine tract, and water helps regulate metabolism. (APEC, 2011) Water also plays a role in the prevention of disease. By drinking eight glasses of water a day the risk of colon cancer decreases by 45%, bladder cancer by 50% and it can even reduce breast cancer. Water also moistens tissues such as those in the mouth, eyes, and noise. It protects organs and body tissues. Water helps dissolve minerals and other nutrients to make them accessible to the body. It carries nutrients and oxygen to cells. Water also lessons the burden on the kidneys and liver by flushing out waste product. If the body does not get enough water through food and beverages, it becomes dehydrated. Effects of dehydration include exhaustion, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. (Smith, March 14 2011) As well as these symptoms there may be more severe symptoms such as the brain not working properly leaving the body groggy or slow, loss of muscle tones, the kidneys not functioning properly allowing toxins and waste to back up the body, constipation, and dryness of the skin or itchy and saggy skin. Electrolytes are the chemicals in the body which are required to regulate nerve and muscle function as well as other physiological functions. Sodium, potassium, and chloride are important electrolytes in the body. Sodium regulates the amount of water in the body. The movement of sodium results in the electric signals required for different cells to communicate. Potassium is important as it regulates the heartbeat and enables muscle functions. Sodium and potassium are positive ions; chloride is used for maintaining the fluid balance in the body and is a negative ion. When looking at the affects that caffeine or alcohols have on hydration levels in the body there are surprising results. Mixing water, caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks cause no significant differences in water saturation levels. A 2000 study at the University of Nebraska Medical Center compared hydration levels when participants drank varying amounts of water, caffeinated, and non-caffeinated drinks. Researchers concluded there was no difference in the hydration levels of those who took in similar amounts of liquid in a variety of caffeinated and non-caffeinated forms. (Nilsen, March 9th 2011) In contrast alcohol tends to dehydrate the body. When drinking alcohol the body loses water through urinating. Alcohol reduces the amount of antidiuretic hormone which the kidneys need. Water and salt no longer are reabsorbed into the body, instead it is excreted through urination, and this can push the body towards dehydration. The water that is lost though alcohol induced dehydration also cases loss of needed nutrients and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, and zinc. Prevention of dehydration is important as this will allow the body to function correctly, but also will stop the body from contracting diseases or illness. Some ways to prevent dehydration are: Increase fluid intake on a hot, dry, or windy day. Fluid loss is especially high on these types of days. Drink fluids even if not thirsty, by the time the body feels thirsty it will already be starting to dehydrate. Drink fluids before exercising Drink fluids often when exercising, the body will lose fluids through sweating. 8 -12 ounces every 15 – 20 minutes are the recommendation when exercising. Increase fluid intake after exercising, fluids that have been lost through sweat need to be replaced, although it is important to drink while exercising, fluids will still be lost at a higher rate. Check any medication being taken, read the label for water intake/output. While some medications increase water retention, some pull fluids from the body contributing to dehydration. Wear lose fitting clothes, this enables the body to stay cool. When clothes are tight the body will remain heated more, fluids will be lost through sweating. Avoid alcohol, this will allow the body to become dehydrated quickly; the body will want to urinate more often. Remember, the best fluid to put back in the body is water, ensure the recommended amount is drank each day. Water is vital for the body in so many ways. It is important to keep the body lubricated and functioning effectively. Drinking plenty of water will enable the body to achieve this successfully. It will reduce the risk of disease, cancers, and malfunctions of vital organs, which in turn will allow the body to run like a well-tuned car. Health is truly dependent on the quality and quantity of the water consumed. Unintentional Chronic Dehydration contributes to and even produces pain and many degenerative diseases that can be prevented and treated by increasing water intake on a regular basis. References www.freedrinkingwater.com, Author APEC, The importance of water and your health. 2011 www.Livingstrong.com, Author Kimberly A Smith, What happens when you don’t drink water. March 14, 2011 www.Livingstrong.com, Author Richard Nilsen, What affects can alcohol and caffeine have on hydration in the body. March 9, 2011