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DRINK UP! The Importance of Staying Hydrated BY JULIE PRESCOT T
We all know we need water to survive. After all, 72% of our world is water, plants are up to 95% water, and our bodies are, on average, 60% water. Without it, life would not exist.
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eplenishing the water we lose every day through perspiration, respiration (breathing), urine, and bowel movements is critical. We need to stay hydrated to ensure every cell, tissue, and organ in our body works properly, for many functions: • Digest food and flush out waste • Deliver oxygen throughout the body
Are You Dehydrated? Dehydration is the condition in which the body’s loss of water exceeds its water intake.
• Protect the spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, and for cellular function • Optimize brain function • Maintain energy
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• Fussiness • Dry mouth • High fever
DID YOU KNOW?
A person can only survive three or four days without water.
• Regulate body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure • Lubricate and cushion joints
• Atypical sleepiness or drowsiness
As little as one or two percent water loss in your body can trigger dehydration. Here are the signs of mild to severe dehydration.
In adults: • Rough/flaky/red, tightening, or shrinking skin; cracked lips • Dry or sticky mouth and tongue, and bad breath • Constipation, less frequent urination, or dark yellow to amber urine • Thirst and hunger • Low blood pressure
In babies and toddlers: • A dry diaper for three or more hours
• Fatigue, lethargy, or headache
• No-tears crying
• Feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Nausea, dizziness, or vomiting
