Dehydration happens when your body is not getting enough fluid to function effectively. The body loses more water than it takes in, resulting in an insufficient level of fluids in the tissues and cells.
Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much water your body loses. The easiest approach to avoid dehydration is to drink water before you become thirsty. Mild dehydration happens when you feel thirsty, which can bring symptoms such as headaches, lethargy, and dizziness.
The condition can affect anyone, but it is most dangerous among young children and adults over the age of 50. In most cases, young children are affected by dehydration as a result of severe diarrhoea or vomiting, whereas elderly persons are more likely to suffer from dehydration due to health conditions and medications.
How can we lose water from the body?
Our bodies constantly lose water throughout the day, which is the reason why we frequently hydrate to restore what is lost during everyday activities. It is important to replenish your body before it becomes dehydrated in order to avoid specific medical conditions.
We lose water on a regular basis in many conditions:
- Saliva
- Urinating
- Sweating
Signs and symptoms of Dehydration:
When you get dehydrated, the symptoms you feel indicate the severity of your dehydration. Signs and symptoms of mild and moderate dehydration may be:
- Fever
- Thrust
- Headache
- Cool skin
- Dry mouth
- Muscle cramps
- Dark yellow pee
- Decreased urination
Signs and symptoms of severe dehydration may include the following:
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Very dry skin
- Sunken eyes
- Rapid heartbeat
- Lack of energy
- Inability to focus
- Dry cracked lips
- Muscle weakness
- Low blood pressure
These are some of the indications and symptoms, which become more severe as the condition worsens.
Effects of Dehydration:
Our bodies need water to survive and function properly and the severe implications of dehydration can be life-threatening. When you lose water, your blood gets thicker, causing the circulatory system to struggle hard to pump out blood. A high blood level also causes the kidneys to retain more water, leading to urinating less. As the condition progresses, fluid surrounding the brain tissues is lost, affecting the cell function.
If you notice signs or symptoms of severe dehydration, you need to seek medical assistance. Someone who becomes severely dehydrated may require intravenous fluids in a hospital to replenish their fluids and avoid serious health issues. Severe dehydration, if left untreated, can result in lifelong brain damage, seizures, or death.
What can water do for your body?
Water is essential for biological functions and overall well-being. Water constitutes up to 78% of the total body weight, making it an essential nutrient for the body, and adequate hydration is a key component of good health.
It helps in:
- Hydration
- Skin health
- Detoxification
- Brain functions
- Joint lubrication
- Cellular functions
- Cushion your bones
- Weight management
- Temperature regulation
- Removal of waste products
- Maintaining blood pressure
- Digestion and nutrient absorption
- Transport of nutrients and oxygen
Hydration:
Water is the most essential component of the human body, accounting for 78% of total body weight. Maintaining bodily fluids is necessary for healthy functioning and overall health.
Skin health:
Dehydrated skin appears dry and stretched out however hydrated skin appears fresh, healthy, and youthful, as well as providing elasticity to the skin.
Detoxification:
Urination and sweating are natural detoxification processes that cleanse the body’s system of all waste products and harmful substances.
Brain functions:
As water is the most essential component of the body, staying hydrated is good for brain health. Dehydration may affect cognitive abilities and impact your capacity to concentrate.
Joint lubrication:
Fluids in the joints lubricate them, and all that fluid contains water. If the hydration status is healthy and balanced, you will have fewer chances of experiencing joint pain and stiffness.
Cellular functions:
Water has a role in all cellular processes in the body, including enzyme functioning and other intracellular functions.
Cushion your bones:
Although some organs or bones are surrounded with fluid which serves as an outer covering or protective cushion, staying hydrated is essential to keeping your body healthy.
Weight management:
Drinking water before meals is an effective weight-loss and weight-maintenance tip. It may give you a feeling of fullness and help you lose weight by limiting your calorie intake.
Temperature regulation:
Water has a role in body temperature regulation. Sweating is the body’s natural cooling process that keeps your body temperature normal and eliminates excess heat.
Removal of waste products:
Urination is another natural process in the body that removes waste and toxins. This process cleanses the body, and water is the key to this process. It promotes kidney function and helps in the prevention of kidney stones.
Maintaining blood pressure:
Hydration supports the regulation of blood in the body, which aids in the maintenance of blood pressure as water does not cause blood to thicken or clot.
Digestion and nutrient absorption:
Water facilitates nutrient digestion and absorption. It helps in the breakdown of food and supports its transport to the bloodstream for absorption. Staying hydrated is a great way to promote a healthy gut.
Transport of nutrients and oxygen:
Adequate hydration is essential for the delivery of nutrients and oxygen. Water does not clot the blood and therefore helps in the transport of nutrients and oxygen to the body’s cells.
Thirst is a natural indicator that your body requires water, but it is additionally essential to take fluids during the day, even if you are not thirsty, to stay hydrated. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if you are severely dehydrated.