Dehydration

Approximately 70 percent of the human body is composed of water, therefore; most of our bodies are constantly renewing liquid that are essential for its proper functioning. Our bodies require that we consume at least one liter of water each day. When we lack the necessary about of fluid, dehydration-which is when a person loses more bodily fluid than he or she takes in, occurs. Dehydration can occur quickly, gradually over a period of time. In this paper, I will discuss the various effects of dehydration on the human body. I will discuss the importance of water to our health, compare and contrast the various functions of electrolytes, potassium, and chloride in the body, research the effect of alcohol and caffeine on hydration levels and finally list steps that we can take in order to ensure that we do not become dehydrated. Next to air, water is the most essential part to our survival. Water is essential to the health maintenance because it is an essential nutrient that accounts for about 60 percent of adult body weight. Since water makes up more than two thirds of our bodies, without it, we would die in a few days. Our brain is made up of 95 percent of water, our blood is 82 percent, and our lungs are 90 percent water. In addition to water being essential to health maintenance, the water flow within our body is used in and around major organs to maintain our bodies functioning, contributes to the flow of blood, and the functioning of the GI tract, which is vital for digestion. Furthermore, water plays a key role in the prevention of disease. Drinking eight glasses of water daily can decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45 percent, bladder cancer by 50 percent, and can potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer (water and health).
Water has many important functions in the human body. The functions that water provided to the body are transportation, protection, lubrication, and temperature regulation in the body (Axia, 2009). Water aids the

References: Water and health (2008). Free drinking water.com. Retrieved October 30, 2009 from: http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education/water-health.htm Batmanghelidj, F. (2001). Physiological Effects of Dehydration: Cure Pain and Prevent Cancer. Retrieved on October 30, 2009 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2001_August/ai_78177228 AxiaCollege. (2008). Week five. Retrieve October 31, 2009 from AxiaColleg, Week One, rEsource. SCI275, Chapter 9 Water and Minerals Medicinenet.com. Electrolytes. Retrieved on October 31, 2009 from http://www.medicinenet.com/electrolytes/article.htm