.Dehydration Paper

Dehydration Paper

Patrick Haas

University of Phoenix/ Axia College

The Science of Nutrition

SCI 241

Andrew Pasquinelli

February 03, 2011

Abstract

Dehydration is a process that occurs when your body loses too much fluid. This takes place when you stop drinking water, lose large amounts of fluid through diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, or exercise, which also causes muscle cramps and feeling faint.

Dehydration can occur to anyone of any age; this becomes very dangerous for babies, small children, and older adults. On the average, the human body contains anywhere from 55% to 78% water depending on the individuals body size. Water is found inside cells, within blood vessels, and between cells, and requires a rather sophisticated water management system that is necessary for our survival.

Dehydration is the depletion of water from the body, which is greater than the amount being taken in. We lose water routinely as we breathe, because the air that we exhale leaves the body in a humidified state. Another source of depletion happens when we exercise, because our body excretes moisture in the form of perspiration to cool itself. The body also loses water when we urinate or have a bowel movement to rid the body of waste products. It is a commonly known fact that our bodies are about two-thirds water, and it uses this water in many types of cell-level chemical processes necessary for our survival.

There are three stages in dehydration that will appear while experiencing dehydration

• Mild (where you can lose up 3% to 5% of your body weight)

• Moderate (you can lose up 6% to 9% of your body weight)

• Severe (you can lose up 10% or more)

The Mild and Moderate stages of dehydration share a number of similarities in which they both are a result of declining sodium and potassium levels in the body, and may include problems in the heart’s rhythm. To counter these effects it is important to drink plenty fluids to replace the ones that...