Cause and Effects of Dehydration and Hydration

Erik Lipka Mrs. Van Mierlo English 101 05 21 February 2013 The Effects of Dehydration and Hydration Water is a necessity in our world today but especially involving the health of human beings. Water is so important to human life that we would not survive without it because people become dehydrated when an insufficient supply of fluids are consumed in a day. “Human survival is dependent on water -- water has been ranked by experts as second only to oxygen as essential for life” (“Health Benefits of Water”). Proper hydration and the avoidance of dehydration are mainstays for health and well-being.

The importance of drinking water is crucial in order to maintain a healthy and proper functioning body. Dehydration is actually quite common in our society today. “Dehydration occurs when the amount of water leaving your body is greater than the amount being taken in” (“Functional Fit Facts”). Severe dehydration can be deadly which may cause symptoms such as intense thirst, absence of sweat, heart racing and delirium. More commonly experienced is a mild or moderate form which results in feelings of dizziness, fatigue, headaches and poor concentration.

The majority of folks don’t realize they are undergoing symptoms of mild dehydration and that they can cure themselves with the proper intake of fluids, water for example (“Functional Fit Facts”). Proper hydration varies depending on many factors such as age, physical condition and even the climate. A commonly recommended amount of fluid intake is a half-ounce of fluid per pound of body weight, daily (Glenn Sabin). Drinking water helps with the regulation of temperature in the body through perspiration. This is especially important when playing sports. Water also plays a key role in the digestion of food.

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Food cannot be digested without water. Water is needed to break down and to digest food. It helps to eliminate waste and deliver nutrients to where they are needed. “If your body lacks water, your heart, for instance, needs to work harder to pump out the oxygenated blood to all cells, so are the rest of the vital organs, your organs will be exhausted and so will you”(“The Benefits of Drinking Water”). It is amazing how important water is to our health and well-being. Water is also the basis of all of our bodily fluids such as saliva and blood and it dilutes toxins and removes them from the body through urine (“The Role of Water”).

Every cell, from head to toe, needs water and this is why it is so important to drink enough water and stay properly hydrated. Dehydration both mild and severe can result in many harmful effects such as tiredness, headaches, constipation and dry skin. One symptom that indicates dehydration and the need to drink more water is the color of the urine. If your urine is dark yellow or orange in color and has a strong smell, this is an indication that the person is not properly hydrated. Urine is usually a pale yellow to clear color when the person is properly hydrated.

Skin is the largest body organ and needs plenty of water to prevent dryness. One sign that you are dehydrated is thirst however you should not wait until you are thirsty before drinking more water. Your brain consists 90% of water. A headache and fatigue could very well mean someone is dehydrated and the brain is not functioning properly (“Benefits of Drinking Water”). Water is very beneficial and has many positive health effects. Drinking water helps the body break down fats assisting people with weight loss. When they drink a sufficient amount of water, it acts as an appetite suppressant so it helps people eat less.

Since the brain consist mainly of water, being hydrated helps people concentrate, think more efficiently and raises awareness. “Related to the digestive system, some studies show that drinking a healthy amount of water may reduce the risks of bladder cancer and colon cancer” (Benefits of Drinking Water). Some cancer causing agents are diluted in the urine reducing the time that they are in the bladder. Another benefit of drinking plenty of water is people are less likely to get sick and they feel healthy. Drinking plenty helps fight against kidney stones, heart attack and the flu.

It is also said to improve the immune system (“Benefits of Drinking Water”). The effects of dehydration and hydration are essential to the health of the human body. Being dehydrated can be deadly and hydration is vital to human life. It’s important to stay hydrated for many reasons in order for the body to function to its greatest ability. Many people are not informed as to the importance of water and are not able to identify the effects of mild dehydration. The symptoms of mild dehydration can be helped simply by drinking enough water.

These are the main effects of hydration and dehydration. Works Cited "The Role of Water in the Body and Why It Is Important That We Drink Enough of It. " Water. N. p. , n. d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013. "What Is the General Effect of Dehydration on the Body? " What Is the General Effect of Dehydration on the Body? N. p. , n. d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013. "Proper Hydration and Your Health. " FON Therapeutics. N. p. , n. d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013. "The Health Benefits of Water. " The Health Benefits of Water. N. p. , n. d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013.

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