Dehydration, Research Paper Example

Dehydration is the process whereby the human body, which is made up of two-thirds of water, loses more of it in the form of sweat, urine, breath, and stool than the volumes ingested (WebMed, 2011).

The body is made of also of cells, tissues, muscles, organs and systems, which all require water to function appropriately, and of such the commodity is of extreme importance in maintaining life. The process reduces the supply of water to these vital organs of the body while generating several symptoms which if not corrected will lead to death.

Water is required to lubricate the joints in the body as part of the synovial fluid, so that there can be minimum friction and damage during body movements like walking and running, while in perspiration the body releases heat energy and sweat containing impurities, and requires water to cool it down to ensure temperature regulation is achieved.

In the process of digestion, water is vitally needed to help moisten the food particles so that they can move through the alimentary canal and be broken down into forms that the systems and organs can be supplied to ensure they function appropriately and ensure individuals live in healthy conditions. Water therefore ensures the body is supplied with protein, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats as well as the micronutrients.

When the body is unable to access adequate supplies of water, its organs starts to slow down,  followed the emergence of dry throat, excessive thirst, fainting spells, dizziness, lethargy, decrease in urination frequency, brain damage and eventually death will manifest on the individuals that are experiencing dehydration, according to Stoppler (2008).

Water is important in transporting electrolytes like sodium, potassium, chlorides and bicarbonates. These electrolytes are substances that become ions in solutions where they acquire the capacity to conduct electricity and enables messages to be transmitted via the essential nervous system throughout the entire body.

In order for the body cells to function efficiently, it is essential that these electrolytes maintain a level of balance according to Stoppler (2008), and sodium is one of them that play a major role. Sodium exists as a positive ion or cations in fluids on the exterior of cells in the body and regulate the amount of water that remains in the body in the body and the amount that are excreted as urine, as well as in the functioning of the body overall.

Sodium ions allows electric signals to operate from the brain through the entire nervous system and muscles, so that communication signals can be sent and received and enable the body to be protected from dangers continually. (Stoppler, 2008).Variations in the supply of sodium will produce malfunctions in the cells, high blood pressure and death. Increase in the level followed by decrease in water content produces hypernatriema which is a result from kidney diseases, diarrhea, and vomiting, while decrease in sodium in concentration leads to hyponatriema which occurs from diseases of the kidney and liver , congested heart failures and other conditions (Stoppler, 2008).

Potassium is another major positive ion which differs from sodium by its presence being inside of the cells of the body. It function consist mainly of regulating heart beat and in facilitating the operation of the muscles. Decrease in the supply of potassium produces hypokaliema, while an increase results in the condition called hyperkaliema and both conditions can have profound effects on nervous system, produces irregular and heartbeats before death.

Chlorides, in contrast to potassium and sodium, are negative or anionic in nature and are found in fluids outside the cells of the body and in the blood stream. The electrolyte reacts mostly with sodium to form sodium chloride, which is a major component of sweat excreted from the body. In normal concentration in the body, chlorides are at the same strength as sea water and play a major role in maintaining balance of fluids in the body, according to Stoppler (2008).

An increase in the level of chlorides in the cells and the blood stream, causes diarrhea and over activity of the parathyroid gland, resulting in a condition called hyperchloremia, while patients experiencing the opposite effects will be diagnosed with hypochloremia, as a results of symptoms like heavy sweating, vomiting and adrenal gland and kidney diseases (Stoppler, 2008).

Bicarbonates, according to Stoppler (208), is a negative ionic electrolyte found in the blood stream, which plays a buffer role in the blood and other fluids to ensure normal levels of acidity are maintained. This acidity in the body can increase whenever individuals ingest foods, liquids and medications.

Accurate measurement of the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood, gives an indication of the concentration of bicarbonates, and when readings are low, patients may have diseases that are interfering with their respiratory functions, the kidneys or other conditions that inhibit metabolism, according to Stoppler (2008).

Ingestion of alcohol in the body according to Mayo Clinic Staff (2011) produces urine after only 20 minutes and this contains significant amount of water, which implies that continuous consumption of the product will eventually lead to dehydration if there are no simultaneous replenishments. This situation occurs because alcohol activates the diuretic hormone, which regulates the kidney functions. Increase in alcohol intake disrupts this hormone regulating functions by creating imbalances and malfunctioning of the kidneys. Continued ingestion will lead to dehydration as the kidney will remove urine from the body to match the intakes of alcohol.

Caffeine is considered a central nervous system stimulant  which provides short term energy and mental clarity to consumers, but is also a diuretic which promotes liquid elimination from the body, although not at the same rate like what alcohol consumption causes.

The impact according to Coffee Science Information Center (2011) is not as serious as alcohol but can lead to dehydration if water only beverages are not consumed in a timely manner

Dehydration can be prevented by those engage in physical activities consistently drinking water before, during and after strenuous exercises, avoidance of coffee, alcohol, wine, and beer consumption, abstain from high protein diet, ingest no salt tablets, wear only single layer of light clothing, avoid rubber clothing, and cease exercising if there are onset of spells of dizziness, tiredness and lightheadedness, according to WebMD (2011).

Children between 4 and 10 years old can be assisted in avoiding dehydration if they are given 6-10 glasses of water daily to replace the amounts lost during physical activities, while adults drinking on an hourly basis should intake as much as 12 glasses to ensure they remain hydrated (WebMD, 2011).

The logics behind the prevention of dehydration therefore, is the maintenance of constant inputs of water into the body at rates that exceeds or equals the rate at which it leaves in the form of moistened breath, sweat, urine and stools, while avoiding or minimizing consumption of alcohol salt tablets, and coffee and by wearing clothing that does not accelerate the perspiration process.

Reference

WebMd (2011) Health and Fitness- Dehydration Prevention webmd.com/fitness-exercise/tc/dehydration-prevention , 10/10/11

Web Med (2011). Dehydration in Adults webmed.com/a-zguides/dehydration , 10/10/11

Stoppler, M.C., (2011). Electrolytes Medicine Net medicinenet.com/electrolyte/articles.htm 10/10/11

Mayo Clinic Staff (2011). Dehydration mayoclinic.com/health/dehydration/DS00561 , 10/10/11

Coffee Science Information Center (2011). Coffee and Kidney Functions/Fluids Balance coffeeandhealth.org