Dehydration: Water is the elixir of life. Our body relies on water for every single thing. Body water in human beings depends on age and sex. Our body is made up of ⅔ of water and it is used for many functions performed by the human body. Today our topic for discussion is dehydration. Do you know what is dehydration? It occurs when you use more fluid than you take in and then your body doesn’t have enough water to perform functions. If used fluids are not replaced, you will get dehydrated. Water keeps our body hydrated, aids digestion, flushes out waste materials and keeps the skin in good condition. One doesn’t want these benefits to affect in a bad way so water is a very important source for the human body.
One can suffer from dehydration as a result of persisting vomit or an illness. If one is urinating in excess, it is also one of the causes of
dehydration. Anyone can suffer from dehydration but particular groups are at risk. They are :
1. Babies
They are sensitive to even small amounts of fluids and also are very light in weight.
2. Athletes
When exercising for a longer period, they can lose plenty amount of fluids through sweat.
3. Older people
They may be not so much that they are becoming dehydrated and need to stay hydrated all the time.
You may have heard the most common advice to cure dehydration.
“ Drink more water” as it is the no.1 step to follow when in the problem. Also, rehydration fluids are easily available at the pharmacies for treatment. One should never confuse thirst with dehydration. They are
different. In most of the cases, a little dehydration can be cured by simply drinking water but if it gets stern enough it can lead to problems like heat exhaustion. A good way is that drink adequate amount of water so you don’t feel thirsty for a long period. Clear urine is a good sign of hydration. Symptoms of this problem vary according to age. In young children, signs are dry mouth, sunken eyes, irritability and no tears while they cry. Whereas in adults, extreme thirst, fatigue, dizziness, and confusion are some signs. If one is suffering from this problem, he/she can also go through low blood pressure and a fast heart rate.
Male vs. Female water intake!
Amount of water intake varies in men and women.
● Without exercising, adult males should drink 3 liters of water whereas 2 liters a day for women.
● With exercise, amount of water should be increased by 500 ml per half hour.
Never believe in the 8 water per day rule. It is a myth. Don’t drink water in excess as our kidneys
can’t keep up and also you will be unable to urinate enough to get water back on a level in your body. The most simple way to stay hydrated and healthy is to download an application on your smartphone which will keep reminding you to drink water. Drink water like it’s going out of style. That’s the key.