Dehydration Water Is More Important

¶ … Dehydration

Water is more important to health than most individuals realize and in fact is critically important to many various functions of the body and the body's entire state of health. The objective of this work is to examine the effects of dehydration. This work will answer the questions of: (1) Why is water essential to health maintenance? (2) What are the functions of water in the body? (3) What happens to the body when it does not get the water it needs? This work will further compare and contrast how different electrolytes including sodium, potassium and chloride function in the body. This work will also answer the questions of what effects can alcohol and caffeine have on hydration levels in the body and what steps can people take to ensure they do not become dehydrated?

WATER and the BODY

The work of Klotter (2001) entitled: "Physiological Effects of Dehydration: Cure Pain and Prevent Cancer" states that water "...is a basic need for cellular health. Cells both contain and are surrounded by water." (Klotter, 2001) in fact, seventy-five percent of the human body and 85% of the human brain are composed of water. Water is "the body's primary component." ((Klotter, 2001)

I. WATER'S ROLE

Water not only acts as a solvent for nutrients and oxidants but it also."..generates energy as its flows through the cation pump in a cell's membrane." ((Klotter, 2001) Water is required for the "metabolic breakdown of ATP" which is stated to be "another source of cellular energy." (Klotter, 2001) Additionally, water "acts as a bonding adhesive" in the structure of the cell. Water is also needed."..in order for the digestive system to break down and digest food: and water increases the efficiency of red blood cells in collecting oxygen in the lungs." ((Klotter, 2001) the work of Morris (2008) entitled: "Effects of Hydration on Performance" states that during exercise "water allows your body to break down adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into adenosine disphosphate (ADP) inorganic phosphate and energy." This energy is a requirement for bodily functions such as "muscle contraction...digestion, nerve transmission, circulation, building new tissue and gland secretion." (Morris, 2008)

II. The BODY'S SHIFTING NEED for WATER

As the body ages and particularly in the twenties when there is a decrease in growth hormone production the body's perception of thirst decreases. Growth hormones "regulate water in conjunction with histamine." (Klotter, 2001) Aging of the body results in a lesser awareness of thirst and resulting is a lessening in water consumption and the water content "within cell decreases so that cellular water can be redistributed to the brain and other vital functions" of the body. When the body does not intake enough water the body's neurotransmitter "histamine is activated" which in turn "activates prostaglandins, kinins, and vasopressin, in an effort to redistribute water according to priority." (Klotter, 2001) When the body doesn't receive enough water, resulting can be problems that include damage to the DNA as well as "reduced efficiency of DNA repair system, immune suppression, and irregular protein production in cells, which encourages cancer cell formation." (Klotter, 2001)

III. SALT and WATER for PROPER HYDRATION

Klotter (2001) relates that in addition to the individual drinking a substantial amount of water "adequate salt intake is needed for proper hydration." Salt is an "antihistamine...[which] keeps water from being excreted and balances the intracellular and extracellular 'oceans' within us." (Klotter, 2001) Additionally, salt functions as an extraction agent for excess acidity in the body which are in the form of "hydrogen ions, and oxidants from ATP production" from cells. (Klotter, 2001; paraphrased) Morris (2008) states that in order for the body to become adequately hydrated the individual should replace fluid lost by perspiration when exercising and should always drink water prior to consuming food. The ideal water intake for someone who exercises is stated to be as follows: "Drink 17 ounces of water 2 hours before the activity and weigh yourself right before you exercise. While you exercise, drink 6-10 oz. every 15-20 minutes." (Morris, 2008)

IV. SIGNS of DEHYDRATION

When the body is in a state of severe lack of water the body becomes dehydrated and this results in the "cell membranes become[ing] less permeable, hampering the flow of hormones and nutrients into the cell and preventing waste products such as oxidants that cause cellular damage from flowing out." (Klotter, 2001) in essence the cells when they have become dehydrated "...shrivel, resembling prunes, instead of plums." (Klotter, 2001) Signs of dehydration are stated to include: "...thirst, dark-colored urine, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, food cravings, and allergies. Dr. Batmanghelidj says that emergency thirst signals include morning sickness, dyspeptic pain and heartburn, migraine headaches, angina, rheumatoid joint pain, back pain, colitis pain, fibromyalgic pain, constipation, late-onset diabetes, and hypertension. He also explains how the stress of long-term dehydration can lead to high cholesterol levels, heart failure, chronic fatigue, cancers, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, stroke, and Alzheimer's." (Klotter, 2001)

V. EFFECTS of ALCOHOL on BODY'S HYDRATION

The work of Dawn Weatherwax entitled: "Alcohol Consumption and Its Effects on Performance" states the fact: "Nutrition and hydration are two of the keys to optimal performance. Alcohol is a poor nutrient for a pre-game meal or for hydration." (Weatherwax, nd) Alcohol potentially causes the body "to lose 3% more fluid in a 4-hour period, leading to dehydration even quicker." (Weatherwax, nd)