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Introduction
Dehydration happens when a person loses more water than they take in. When an individual’s natural water intake is lowered, their body’s nutrients, salts, and glucose are thrown out of balance, influencing their biological functions. Dehydration is typically caused by inadequate fluid intake to restore what has been lost. Therefore, this essay provides some justifications as to why water is essential to maintaining health and some of the functions that water has on the body. In addition, the paper examines the implications of inadequate water in the body, compares and contrasts how different electrolytes function in the body, and analyses the effects alcohol and caffeine have on hydration levels in the body.
Roles of Water in Maintaining Health
The human body is dependent on water to sustain its many perpetually occurring processes. Water modulates the body’s temperature, as hydration is necessary for keeping the body’s metabolism. During physical exercise and in hot settings, individuals lose water through perspiration. Sweat maintains the body’s cool, but the body temperature will rise if evaporated water is not replaced. This is because dehydration causes the body to shed nutrients and plasma. Therefore, if someone is perspiring more than usual, they must drink lots of water to avoid dehydration. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, Annobil (2021) noted that consuming water before, in between, and after a mealtime facilitates the body’s digestion of the food consumed. Consequently, this will help individuals digest food more efficiently and maximize the nutritional value of their meals.
Functions of Water in the Body
Water plays a critical role in the body’s functioning, as explained in this subtopic. Firstly, once a substance has been dissolved in water, water remains essential for carrying it around the body. For example, blood, which is 83% water, transfers oxygen, CO2, vitamins, and waste materials between cells (Schiff & Keck, 2022). Urine, another essential carrier, eliminates waste items from the body. Secondly, water lubricates the eyes, mouth, and nose; it keeps the lips wet and removes grime from the eyes. Consequently, water hydrates the ligaments, preventing them from becoming stiff and ensuring fluid mobility. Thirdly, since people’s bodies must establish a very particular pH level of 7.4, water can aid in maintaining pH and osmoregulation. It is imperative that individuals have methods for preventing pH from veering too far from its usual range, as pH readings below 6.9 or beyond 7.6 are lethal (Schiff & Keck, 2022). Water is a mediator in a crucial mechanism that sustains a pH level of 7.4.
Implications of Inadequate Water in the Body
The following are some of the negative consequences when the body receives less supply or intake of water. As water assists in maintaining the brain’s attention and the body at equilibrium, dehydration can cause a drop in energy levels. If individuals do not consume enough water throughout the day, they may have a more severe afternoon slump and become too exhausted to continue working or complete their evening workout. Secondly, insufficient water in the body may enhance a person’s risk of stroke. According to Schiff & Keck (2022), dehydration can increase the likelihood of stroke and delay recovery in individuals who have previously suffered a stroke. To maintain a healthy heart, one must observe how much water one consumes. In addition, dehydration causes urine to be dark yellow and a feeling of faintness.
Thirdly, water is required for all bodily functions; dehydration causes the metabolism and energy output to slow down. Therefore, maintaining appropriate hydration can give the body everything it needs to function optimally and feel its best. Finally, inadequate water intake may result in mental fogginess. Since the human brain is composed of approximately 80% water, consuming sufficient water keeps one intellectually stimulated (Schiff & Keck, 2022). Thus, people need to have adequate water intake for normal brain processes and functioning.
How Different Electrolytes Function in the Body
Electrolytes are the electrostatic substances that aid the body in various processes, such as energy generation and muscle contraction. Sodium maintains the total volume of water in the body, and the movement of sodium into and out of cellular components plays an essential role in vital bodily processes. Numerous physical systems, particularly the brain, neurological system, and muscles, rely on electronic pulses for interaction. Hypernatremia develops if there is an excess of sodium compared to water in the blood. Hyponatremia develops when there is a relative increase in the volume of bodily water in comparison to sodium (Schiff & Keck, 2022). This occurs in people with liver and kidney problems, congestive cardiac failure, accident victims, and various other ailments.
Potassium (K+), on the other hand, is the most abundant positive ion (cation) present within cells, and K+ is needed for appropriate cell activity. Among K+’s various activities within the body are modulation of the pulse and muscular movement. Hyperkalemia or hypokalemia can dramatically affect the neural synapses and elevate the risk of cardiac arrhythmia, which can be catastrophic in extreme cases (Schiff & Keck, 2022). Chloride is the predominant anion, a negatively charged ion in extracellular fluid and blood. Cl- assists the body in maintaining an average fluid balance, and the balance of chloride ions (Cl-) is tightly maintained by the body. Excessive Cl-, hyperchloremia and chloride abnormalities can be observed in gastroenteritis, some kidney disorders, and occasionally in hyperactive parathyroid glands. Cl- is generally lost in urine, perspiration, and stomach contents during hypochloremia (Schiff & Keck, 2022). Severe loss can be caused by high perspiration, vomiting, adrenal cortex and kidney disorders, and diarrhea.
Effects of Alcohol and Caffeine on Hydration Levels
Consuming caffeinated beverages as part of a typical routine does not result in excessive fluid loss. Although stimulants may have a slight sedative effect, causing the need for frequent urination, they do not seem to raise the probability of dehydration. Accordingly, the more alcohol a person consumes, the more frequently they will need to urinate. This frequent urination results in dehydration since they are draining more water than they are drinking. It is not surprising that alcohol hangover indicators resemble dehydration: migraine, fatigue, extreme thirst, dizziness, muscle pain, vomiting, and dry lips, tongue, and eyes. Vasopressin is an adrenocorticotropic hormone that controls the body’s water balance (Schiff & Keck, 2022). Although it is typically produced to save water during moderate dehydration, alcohol inhibits its release, exacerbating the drying effects of urine.
Steps to Take to Avoid Dehydration
The following are some of the actions individuals may take to limit dehydration.
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Respond to the sensation of thirst as it occurs.
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Ignore the standard recommendation to consume eight glasses of water daily; it is insufficient.
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Increase one’s water intake while exercising.
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When necessary, bring in additional electrolytes, such as a low-carb electrolyte.
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Consider alternatives to plain water to prevent dehydration.
Conclusion
Dehydration occurs when an individual loses more water than they consume. Water affects the body’s temperature, as hydration is essential for maintaining the body’s metabolism. Additionally, drinking water before, during, and after a meal aids the digestion of the food consumed. Therefore, water is a mediator in a vital mechanism that maintains a pH of 7.4. As water helps keep the brain alert and the body in balance, dehydration can cause a decrease in energy levels. Therefore, the more alcohol a person ingests, the more often they will have to urinate. Consequently, one might boost hydration levels while exercising to prevent dehydration.
References
Annobil, E. (2021). Water: How much should be consumed and what are its health benefits? In A Prescription for Healthy Living (pp. 281-286). Academic Press.
Schiff, W., & Keck, T. L. (2022). Nutrition for healthy living (6 Ed). McGraw Hill.
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