Life itself is dependent on water. The human body is generally 75% water and the brain is 85% water by weight (water in the brain helps protect it from the skull). Our body cells are made up of 75% to 90% water. We certainly can’t get along without that abundant liquid, water. This is true for several reasons.
First, we need water because the body’s reactions take place in solution, and water makes this possible. Second, water allows blood to flow through the blood vessels. It keeps the blood fluid. Third, water is an excellent absorber of heat and this fact helps regulate body temperature both by storing heat when cold and by losing heat through evaporation (sweating) when hot. Sweating not only cools the body but also helps cleanse impurities and waste.
Much as we need water, our bodies are constantly losing it. We lose water from our bodies three ways. First, we lose water when we pass urine. Though most of the 45 to 50 gallons of fluid the kidneys process each day is returned to the body, the kidneys still produce more than a quart of urine per day. Since urine is mostly water (95%), we must replace this lost liquid. The body also loses water by defecation and by perspiration.
We repeat, this lose means water must be replaced. We should each drink eight to ten glasses or two quarts of water daily. If we neglect this, we will soon become dehydrated. It is estimated that up to 75% of Americans are dehydrated. A person who experiences these symptoms should quickly deal with dehydration for it can be fatal.
A person can become dehydrated because of diarrhea and/or vomiting. While sick it is often impossible to keep anything down. However, as soon as you can, ingest liquids to replace the loss. The most vulnerable are the young and old. The old are vulnerable because they tend to lose their sensation of thirst with age. If a person loses more than 1% of body weight in liquids, it is considered to be severe dehydration.
What are the indications of being dehydrated? The first clear sign is production of only small amounts of dark urine. A person who is dehydrated might also notice their body temperature rise. They might also experience extreme thirst, fatigue, headaches, nausea, and confusion. A lack of tears or sunken eyes are also telltale signs.
Here is a simple test to see if you are dehydrated. Pinch your skin, then let go. If you are dehydrated, the skin will be slow to return to its normal position. If you aren’t sure, drink a glass of water anyway. People who drink sufficient pure water have the added benefit of rarely developing kidney stones.
Low blood pressure, convulsions, loss of consciousness, inelasticity of the skin, severe cramping of the arms, legs, stomach, and back, heart failure, sunken eyes, and deep, rapid breathing are all evidence of severe dehydration. In such cases, not only the water needs to be replaced, but also the salt and glucose.
Of course, what is in the water we drink is also important. Make sure it is pure and don’t necessarily trust the faucet. In summary, be sure you are drinking sufficient pure water each day. Two quarts a day can do a lot in keeping the doctor away.
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