Dehydration

Water, or “H2O” as some of us know it, is the liquid that gives us rain, and forms the seas, lakes, rivers; and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

Water is an essential macronutrient, and is one of the most important liquids required by humans and living organisms for survival. Without the consumption of water, humans could only survive for about 2 days or so without water. Over half of our body weight, (about 60%) is water, and our water requirements depend on water losses, so what we take out of the body, we should put back in so that we do not dehydrate, as water is essential to life (Basic Nutrition & Diet Therapy).

Water Functions

There are many functions of water, and many places that water is stored within the body. There is water within our cells called, “intracellular fluid” and water found outside our cells called “extracellular fluid”. In older adults, body water starts to decrease. The functions of our blood pressure are controlled by the force of blood (which is mostly water), against the inside walls of our blood vessels, plus our vessels' resistance to blood flow, create blood pressure.

When we cry, the tears that are produced is water, and when a woman is pregnant, the fluid surrounding the fetus inside the womb that also exits the womb just before giving birth is water. Water is a resource that everyone, and every living organism as well as animals and plants will consume everyday until we die. Our mouths produce water in saliva, especially when we smell something that arouses our senses.

Healing Properties

In certain countries used for medicinal purposes, there are hot springs that people from all walks of life, would enter into these mineral springs of water for healing purposes. Water also helps to regulate body temperature through the evaporation of sweat, and the water in our blood helps regulate body temperature by decreasing, and increasing the amount of heat lost in the body surface.

Water, which is in our urine, is the yellowish fluid that is stored in our bladder and passes through the urethra. Urinating is an important function for humans and animals, because it rids the body of excess water and waste that exits our blood through the kidneys. If there is a problem passing water, it could backup to your kidneys causing kidney failure, and if an individual is dehydrated, their urine will be dark yellow, with an almost brown discoloration, so it is very important to consume enough water in our diets to prevent this from happening.

My grandfather died at the age of seventy-seven, from kidney failure, and he consumed very little to no water at all. The liquids my grandpa consumed were mostly soda, coffee (caffeine), and liquor (alcohol). After his death, I have always had this fear that I would die the same way he did, as I have vowed to force myself to drink as much water as I can. I have completely given up soda for more than three years, because I have this fear of kidney failure.

Electrolytes, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride

When water is loss in the body, electrolytes (which are sodium, potassium, and

chloride) are loss. When an adult or child has diarrhea it is important to drink more water to put back the electrolytes, which will prevent dehydration. A loss of sodium, and potassium, can cause heat cramps, leg cramps, and thirst, during hot weather, and if you are an athlete that exercises a lot, you must drink enough water so as not to dehydrate.

The elderly must make sure that they are getting enough fluids in them especially during hot weather, because they are at higher risk of suffering from a heat stroke or dehydration since there thirst senses are delayed behind there body’s need for water; this stops them from drinking as much as they should.

Our nerves have sodium and potassium ions that are essential for nerve conduction and muscle contraction, and every movement, response, and even our thoughts require nerve impulse speed throughout our body to certain cells. Maintaining proper balance of electrolytes can prevent a drop in blood pressure/blood volume, and poor appetite.

Alcohol and Caffeine

Alcohol and caffeine can cause excessive de-hydration (water loss), and have a diuretic effect. They can both cause you to become very thirsty to the point that you feel you cannot quench your thirst, and if you do not consume the proper amount of water to counteract caffeine and alcohol, it