An average adult body contains 42 litres of water and with just a small loss of 2.7 litres one can suffer from dehydration, displaying symptoms of irritability, fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, weakness, headaches and consequently reach a state of pathology.
Daily requirement of water intake is 10-15 glasses (2-3 litres).
THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER AND HUMAN HEALTH
Daily requirement of water intake is 10-15 glasses (2-3 litres).
THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER AND HUMAN HEALTH
Water is important to the mechanics of the human body. The body cannot work without it. In fact, all the cell and organ functions made up in our entire anatomy and physiology depend on water for their functioning.
FUNCTIONS OF WATER
It serves as a lubricant.
It forms the base for saliva.
It forms the fluids that surround the joints.
Helps regulate the body temperature, as the cooling and heating is distributed through perspiration.
Helps to alleviate constipation by moving food through the intestinal tract and thereby eliminating waste- the best detoxifying agent.
It regulates metabolism.
It prevents disease.
ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH?
There are three important rules when it comes to drinking water:
Drink twice as much as it takes to quench your thirst.
Drink frequently throughout the day to prevent dehydration.
Drink at least eight glasses daily or one cup for every 20 pounds of body weight. For example, a 150-pound person who does not exercise or work in hot climates needs 7.5 cups.
While some fruit juices and green tea may account for some fluid intake, you can count out beverages such as coffee or alcohol. They have a mild diuretic effect, which promotes urination and therefore water loss, which ultimately defeats the purpose.
WHEN AND WHO NEEDS TO DRINK MORE WATER?
When on a high protein diet
People on a high protein diet require more water than a regular eater, as the water will flush out things like uric acid, caused by the extra protein. Another risk of high protein diets that can be combated with water is that, ketones in your blood. When there are too many ketones in your blood, your body eliminates them in your urine. Eliminate too many ketones, and you also eliminate too much water. Without replacing it, you can suffer severe dehydration and the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
When on a high fiber diet
Constipation can be an uncomfortable side effect of high fiber intake. That is because fiber, although good for your health, can absorb fluid from your intestines. Drinking fluids help prevent constipation in those who are eating high fiber.
Having an illness that causes vomiting or diarrhea
Vomiting and diarrhea are signs of dehydration. Drinking more water will keep the body hydrated during this illness, and also prevent that vomiting and diarrhea that goes along with it. It is suggested that someone with these symptoms, most likely from the flu or another virus, to drink 2-3 quarts of water per day.
Are being more physically active
The more active someone is, the more they will perspire. When you exercise, your body builds up heat, and sweat brings your body temperature back to normal. As sweat evaporates from your skin, your body cools. But, through the cooling process, can lose four cups of water every hour during exercise. As a result, more water is lost. Drinking more fluids will combat that water loss by replenishing the body. Whether this activity is during a workout or during work, keep drinking.
Are exposed to warm or hot conditions
As people are exposed to warmer conditions, their body temperatures will rise as a reaction to cool the body, resulting in more perspiration. This can happen whether they are being active or not. Without proper fluid intake, this change in climate could leave people having the uncomfortable effects of dehydration. That is not something someone on a vacation wants to experience! Carry around a water bottle while in warmer conditions. Also, warmer conditions could be in a workplace. If that is the case, always make sure that you are paying a visit to the water cooler, or have a water bottle at your workstation.
Water and Prescription Drugs
When ill, a person needs water more so than when totally healthy. People with a fever, diarrhea or who are vomiting will need greater fluid intake. Many ailments like this can lead to dehydration. So even when taking medication to cure or ease an illness, water still needs to be replenished.
Also, drugs themselves can dehydrate the body. This is because many of the side effects of drugs can cause symptoms like diarrhea. And, in the make-up of the drugs themselves, dehydration may just be a usual symptom. Diuretics, antihistamines, blood pressure medication and steroids can all cause the body to be depleted of water. So, when prescribed these drugs, one should intake more water than the usual required amount.
Since older people usually take more medications, they are also more likely to be in greater need of water. So, senior citizens should also pay careful attention to their water intake.
QUICK TIP: A trick to ensure people are drinking their daily allowance is to fill a pitcher or jug with the allotment of water and keep it on your desk at work or handy at home
FUNCTIONS OF WATER
It serves as a lubricant.
It forms the base for saliva.
It forms the fluids that surround the joints.
Helps regulate the body temperature, as the cooling and heating is distributed through perspiration.
Helps to alleviate constipation by moving food through the intestinal tract and thereby eliminating waste- the best detoxifying agent.
It regulates metabolism.
It prevents disease.
ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH?
There are three important rules when it comes to drinking water:
Drink twice as much as it takes to quench your thirst.
Drink frequently throughout the day to prevent dehydration.
Drink at least eight glasses daily or one cup for every 20 pounds of body weight. For example, a 150-pound person who does not exercise or work in hot climates needs 7.5 cups.
While some fruit juices and green tea may account for some fluid intake, you can count out beverages such as coffee or alcohol. They have a mild diuretic effect, which promotes urination and therefore water loss, which ultimately defeats the purpose.
WHEN AND WHO NEEDS TO DRINK MORE WATER?
When on a high protein diet
People on a high protein diet require more water than a regular eater, as the water will flush out things like uric acid, caused by the extra protein. Another risk of high protein diets that can be combated with water is that, ketones in your blood. When there are too many ketones in your blood, your body eliminates them in your urine. Eliminate too many ketones, and you also eliminate too much water. Without replacing it, you can suffer severe dehydration and the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
When on a high fiber diet
Constipation can be an uncomfortable side effect of high fiber intake. That is because fiber, although good for your health, can absorb fluid from your intestines. Drinking fluids help prevent constipation in those who are eating high fiber.
Having an illness that causes vomiting or diarrhea
Vomiting and diarrhea are signs of dehydration. Drinking more water will keep the body hydrated during this illness, and also prevent that vomiting and diarrhea that goes along with it. It is suggested that someone with these symptoms, most likely from the flu or another virus, to drink 2-3 quarts of water per day.
Are being more physically active
The more active someone is, the more they will perspire. When you exercise, your body builds up heat, and sweat brings your body temperature back to normal. As sweat evaporates from your skin, your body cools. But, through the cooling process, can lose four cups of water every hour during exercise. As a result, more water is lost. Drinking more fluids will combat that water loss by replenishing the body. Whether this activity is during a workout or during work, keep drinking.
Are exposed to warm or hot conditions
As people are exposed to warmer conditions, their body temperatures will rise as a reaction to cool the body, resulting in more perspiration. This can happen whether they are being active or not. Without proper fluid intake, this change in climate could leave people having the uncomfortable effects of dehydration. That is not something someone on a vacation wants to experience! Carry around a water bottle while in warmer conditions. Also, warmer conditions could be in a workplace. If that is the case, always make sure that you are paying a visit to the water cooler, or have a water bottle at your workstation.
Water and Prescription Drugs
When ill, a person needs water more so than when totally healthy. People with a fever, diarrhea or who are vomiting will need greater fluid intake. Many ailments like this can lead to dehydration. So even when taking medication to cure or ease an illness, water still needs to be replenished.
Also, drugs themselves can dehydrate the body. This is because many of the side effects of drugs can cause symptoms like diarrhea. And, in the make-up of the drugs themselves, dehydration may just be a usual symptom. Diuretics, antihistamines, blood pressure medication and steroids can all cause the body to be depleted of water. So, when prescribed these drugs, one should intake more water than the usual required amount.
Since older people usually take more medications, they are also more likely to be in greater need of water. So, senior citizens should also pay careful attention to their water intake.
QUICK TIP: A trick to ensure people are drinking their daily allowance is to fill a pitcher or jug with the allotment of water and keep it on your desk at work or handy at home
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