Dehydration

Dehydration

Axia College of University of Phoenix

Water is one of the prime elements that are essential for life on earth. The earth and our bodies depend on water to survive, which is evident by the fact that 75 percent of our is water and two thirds of the earth’s surface is covered in water.

Water is necessary for our bodies to function well and for overall health. The water in our bodies is responsible for lubricating and cleansing internal surfaces, cushioning joints and components of the body, blood that is composed of mostly water flows through veins and arteries, and helps maintain bodily temperature. Water helps to regulate body tempura through the evaporation of sweat, when body temperature increases, the sweat glands are triggered by the brain to produce sweat composed mostly of water that cools the body. If we did not sweat, we would be at risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which left untreated, can cause coma or death.

The amount of water that we need each day is determined by our body weight and other everyday activities. When we exercise, drink alcohol, travel in airplanes, or live in a dry climate, we need more water than average. Lack of enough water can cause dehydration which is life threatening. Without we could last only a couple days, then our bodies would reduce blood volume, the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells would be affected. Eventually, we would lose our ability to think, see, and concentrate. A loss of even 25% of water in our body would be fatal.

Electrolytes are important to normal body functions, electrolytes are ions that conduct electrically charged ions that dissolve in water. Sodium, potassium, and chloride are electrolytes. Sodium and potassium are positive ions; sodium is concentrated outside cells, and potassium is concentrated inside cells. Chloride is a negative ion, which is extra cellular ion.

The function of electrolytes in the body is to maintain nerve...