Dehydration

Running head: dehydration

Dehydration

Michelle Bryan

University of Phoenix

April 16, 2010

The human body is made up of about 70% water and it is crucial in order to function properly (Jegtvig, 2007). Many people are faced with dehydration because they do not consume enough water throughout the day. Sometimes drinking water gets overlooked and does not seem like an important part of the day but it is essential in order to survive. Water is needed in the most important parts of the body such as the blood, muscles, lungs and brain.

Water is essential to health maintenance because it affects almost every part of the body in some way. When an individual’s body is hydrated and has consumed enough water then the blood is much thinner and that means that it is easier on the heart because it does not have to pump as hard. When a heart does not have to work as hard to pump the blood through then it will last longer and have fewer problems. Water helps the body to function better by getting rid of harmful toxins that are inside of cells (Deppe, 2002). Once a body is properly hydrated it uses the water to protect its joints, organs and regulates the overall body temperature (Jegtvig, 2007). It is amazing the one little product can be so important to every living thing on the Earth.

Everyone has had the feeling of being thirsty before and that is their body’s way of letting them know that it is running low on water. Many people make the mistake of drinking soda or other beverages in place of water without realizing that those drinks are not helping their body. Once a person ignored their body’s feeling of being thirsty for too long they will get dehydrated. Dehydration is when the water level of the body starts to be used up (Deppe, 2002). Everybody loses water by going to the bathroom, breathing and sweating. Water can be restored simply by drinking more of it but that can sometimes be tricky. Many people think that they are getting enough water by...