Dehyration Assignment

Dehydration Assignment

Vitamins and minerals are important to our body so that it can function properly and at peak performance. Water is even more important for our body to have. It is vital to cleanse the internal parts as well as the external parts of the human body. Water makes up almost 60% of our body weight, our muscles are about 75% water and even our bones contain 25% water. (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2006, page 282) It also helps in the regulation of body temperature. Water helps blood transport oxygen and important nutrients that the body lives on. All of our organs and cells in our body need water in order to do their jobs and functions. Water assists in the eliminate waste from the body and helps to complete the process. Not only is it needed for tears and saliva, it is also required for chemical reactions that take place within our bodies. It helps keep our ears, nose, and throat moist. (Mayo Clinic, 2011) We could not live but a few days (at best) without water.

Water is found in and around the cells in the human body. The water in the cells is referred to as ‘intracellular fluid’ and the water that is outside the cells is ‘extracellular fluid’. In addition, this fluid is what makes up most of our blood and is between cells. This fluid is identified as ‘interstitial fluid’. (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2006, page 282) Our body also utilizes water for a solvent. Many substances within our bodies dissolve in water. Water aids in the chemical reactions that take place in our body and helps regulate the acid levels.

It is important to drink a lot of water when doing physical activity, when in hot climates, or when ill. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011) A person uses up water every day when doing normal activities and thru normal body operations. This needs to be replenished so that the body can function normally again. The body has specific mechanisms to regulate our water intake and emission. (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2006, page 284) The...