In this essay I will be discussing the effects of dehydration. Dehydration has always held a particular interest to me. I hope to provide adequate information to my readers on this very important topic.

Dehydration is explained simply at www.medicinenet.com, “Dehydration occurs when the amount of water leaving the body is greater than the amount being taken in”. (2008). There are many contributing factors to dehydration such as diarrhea, vomiting, sweat, diabetes, burns, and inability to drink fluids. The body will show signs of dehydration by outputting yellow urine and a great feeling of thirst to encourage water intake. Symptoms related to dehydration are dry mouth, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, light headedness. Dehydration can be treated by increasing intake of clear fluids. These include water, clear broths and electrolyte fluids such as Gatorade. Coma, shock and kidney failure have all been related to dehydration.

What role does water play in dehydration? Water is very important to the development and growth of the body. Approximately 75% of the body is made up of water. Water makes up two thirds of the weight of the body. A surprising fact is that the brain is also made up of 95% of water. The blood is 82% water and the lungs is made up of 90% water. What I find shocking is that a mere 2% drop in the water level of the body water level can trigger signs of dehydration. “A mere 2% drop in our body's water supply can trigger signs of dehydration: fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on smaller print, such as a computer screen.” www.freedrinkingwater.com ,2008.

The above diagram taken from www.revolutionhealth.com, Water: How much should you drink everyday.(2008) clearly shows how all the major organs of the body depend on water!

How important is water? Can we survive without it? Water is most essential to the body! The human body cannot survive more than a few days without water! Every cell and organ within the body must have water to function well. Water aids the body in serving as a lubricant within the joints. Water is also the base of saliva which aids in the digestion of food. Water is essential in regulating the temperature within the body. Water helps to regulate metabolism. Water is also the best detoxificant for the body as it helps to aid in toxic excretion and help prevent constipation!

Putting aside the daily benefits of water, water also helps to prevent certain diseases. These include colon cancer, bladder cancer and breast cancer! The daily requirement of consuming eight glasses of water can help reduce colon cancer by 45%, reducing bladder cancer by 50%! Did you know water is linked to many common illnesses today such as cough and cold, allergies, stroke, urinary and kidney stones, dry skin, blood pressure, high cholesterol, constipation, insomnia, cancer, prostate problems, hair loss, depression, stress, food poisoning, headache, gallstones, heat stroke, internal and external infections, arthritis, Alzheimer disease, pneumonia, menopause, premenstrual syndrome, water cramping, colon problems and diabetes? Almost every American experiences at least one or two of these symptoms. Ensuring that we consume the daily requirement of eight glasses of water daily can certainly have quite an impact on our nation at large. What a healthy nation we can be with the consumption of enough water!

This picture shows a child suffering from dehydration.

This picture shows one of the first signs of dehydration, dry and discolored tongue.

Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and chloride play an important role in the body hydration level. Electrolytes are present in the body for normal functioning of cells and organs. Sodium is related to the topic dehydration as it helps regulate the amount of water in the body.

Sodium being transmitted into and out of the body is an important factor in the functionality of the body. Sodium is sometimes referred to as “The Youth Element” because it helps to keep the joints well lubricated. Sodium plays a critical role in electrical signals in the brain, nervous system and muscles. Extreme levels of sodium, way too much or way too much can be fatal and cause the cells to malfunction. When there is an increased level of sodium it is often referred to as hypernatremia. This occurs in the blood where there is excess sodium present. Hypernatremia is caused when there is too little water being consumed, or loss of water due to diarrhea or vomiting or kidney disease. When there is an increased amount of sodium it is referred to as hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is caused by a relative increase of body water. This is caused when there is a liver disease or kidney disease in patients with conditions such as congestive heart failure.

Potassium is also directly related to the function of the cells in the body and is often referred to as the alkalizer. Potassium is one of the most important electrolyte. Potassium helps regulate the heartbeat and the function of the muscle. Excess potassium can cause severe dehydration. A severe or abnormal increase in potassium is referred to as hyperkalemia while an abnormal increase of potassium is referred to hypokalemia can have a extreme or fatal effect on the nervous system and can be detected by irregular heartbeats! Since potassium is excreted through the kidneys an increase or decrease of potassium levels will have an effect on the kidneys. Certain medications are linked to hyperkalemia or increased potassium, while excessive sweating, eating disorders, vomiting and diarrhea are directly linked to hypokalemia or decreased potassium.

Chloride is the main fluid found outside of cells in the blood. Chloride is often referred to as “the cleanser” and is the most widely used seasoning in the world-salt! Salt ( sodium chloride) is 60 per cent chloride. Chloride plays an important role in aiding the body regulate a normal balance of fluids. Chloride also help promote normal heart functions. A great increase or decrease of chloride in the body can be fatal. Increased level is referred to as hyperchloremia while decreased level of chloride is referred to as hypochloremia. Persons suffering from increasing amount of chloride may suffer from diarrhea and certain kidney diseases. Persons suffering from decreasing amount of chloride which are lost in the urine usually face symptoms such as heavy sweating, kidney disease and vomiting.

Foods high in potassium, sodium and chloride include spinach, chard and mushrooms, bone joint jelly, dried tomatoes, dandelion, swiss cheese, goat cottage cheese, chicken broth and blackberry juice, table salt, sunflower seeds.

It appears that alcohol and caffeine are drugs which as consumed by over half of our nation. These two popular drugs have a very detrimental effect in our overall hydration level! Trimethyl xanthine commonly known as caffeine derive from plants and is found in coffee, tea and carbonated beverages. Caffeine has gained its popularity due to the stimulating effect on nervous system and increasing brain levels which in turn increases cognitive thinking and alertness and memory. At a high dose caffeine has a diuretic effect meaning that it helps promote water loss. So how detrimental is caffeine? Caffeine intake is very bad and leads to dehydration. One should refrain from caffeine of any sort and kids should never take caffeine drinks under any circumstance!

Alcohol have also known to work as a diuretic when consumed. Alcohol lead to additional loss of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc. These are key to the fluid balance and nerve and muscles actions. Hence consuming alcohol have a negative effect on the entire body. The consumption of caffeine and alcohol is extremely damaging to the body’s hydration level! Expecting mothers should avoid any form of caffeine and alcohol as this can have a severe effect on the fetus.

Every cell in our body suffers when we are dehydrated. There are many foods that can help us keep ourselves well hydrated. It is recommended that a person drinks 8 cups of water daily as well as 4 to 6 cups of green tea. It is also advised to eat at least 10-12 servings of fruits and vegetables which consist of 80 to 95% water. Soup is also a great recommendation in keeping the body hydrated. A clear urine is a great sign of a well hydrated body!

Now that I have discussed the importance of water, I feel inclined to also point out that the quality of water is of equal importance. Most tap water as well as well-water is polluted with bacteria, chemicals and heavy metals. This will in term leave people exposed to many long term illnesses such as liver damage and cancer. Necessary steps must be taken to ensure that the water consumed is devoid of contaminants!

References:

1. Retrieved December 21, 2008 from http://www.medicinenet.com/dehydration/article.htm#tocb, Dehydration, (2008)

2. Retrieved December 21, 2008 from

http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education/water-health.htm, Water Education, 2008.

3. Retrieved December 21, 2008 from

www.revolutionhealth.com, Water: How much should we drink everyday?, 2008.