Dehydration is when the body does not have enough water and/or fluids as it should have. Dehydration can be caused by a number of things such as losing fluid, not drinking enough water or liquids daily, or a combination of both. Vomiting and diarrhea can also lead to dehydration. If the body loses too much water or fluids it can lead to severe dehydration and can be life threatening. The symptoms of dehydration range from dry or sticky mouth, urine decreases, eyes become dry and irritated, sunken eyes, and in severe cases of dehydration one may become lethargic or comatose. The best way to overcome being dehydrated is to consume water or fluids in small amounts. If a large amount of water is consumed it may result in vomiting, which is not helping to hydrate the body. If worse case scenarios, to get hydrated, a person could be put in the hospital with IV’s to hydrate the body. It is always important to drink plenty of water and fluids whether a person is healthy or ill. Water is essential to health maintenance because it makes up over 60% of our body weight. In children water makes up around 70% (p. 282). Water is found in three areas according to chapter nine of this week’s reading. Intracellular fluid is inside cells. Extracellular fluid is opposite of intracellular as it is located outside of the cells. It can be found in blood, lymph’s, spinal column, eyes & joints. Interstitial fluid is located between the cells and tissues. The comment “I’m dying of thirst” may be a true statement if an individual does not consume water. Water is as important to the body as air; it is a vital mechanic of the human body. Water helps keep our anatomy functioning. Our bodies do not hold water for storage. Water is continuously flushing through the cells of our bodies, lubricates organs, and cleaning internal and external body surfaces (p.283). Water is lost from tears, urine and sweat. Water in the body performs a number of functions. From the top of the body water helps regulate body temperature, adds fluid to tissues such as mouth, eyes, and nose, lubricates our joints, helps prevent constipation, flushes the liver and kidney to avoid infections, aides in nutrient and oxygen to all the cells, and protects the body’s organs and tissues. Water regulates in and out of the body in a consistent flow, which keeps water active. Our bodies help to regulate the amount of water we consume as well as how much we lose. What we eat such as fruits and vegetables are over 80% water based. As said before water is as important as air to the body. When the body does not get enough water signals are sent. One signal is the urge of feeling thirsty. This is caused from the brain signaling the mouth that it is dry and needs a drink. Many of us have had this urge, the urge that we think “I’m going to die of thirst”. Thirst is usually at a breaking point of dehydration. It is recommended with athletes that they drink every few minutes, whether they feel thirsty or not. Regardless an athlete or not anyone who exercises; sweats tremendously; or in hot weather it is recommended to continuously drink fluids. Our bodies work off of ions, positive being sodium and potassium and negative being chloride. Every movement, thought, as well as a response works off of the nerves in our bodies and response from the targeted cell. Electrolytes are substances that form positive and negative charged ions such as sodium, potassium and chloride (p.287). Electrolytes separate in the water we consume to make up these ions. Sodium is a positively charged ion that works outside the cells. Sodium is a positive extracellular ion, nerve transmission, and fluid balance (p.288). Sodium is processed through the salt our bodies consume. When the body consumes an excess of sodium it is excreted through the urine. Sodium helps to regulate the amount of water and the transmission in and out of cells. When a nerve cell is at ease sodium stays outside the cells because it cannot pass freely by cell membranes. Our muscles require a low-level and constant supply of sodium. When sodium levels drop; our muscles cramp which causes discomfort. Potassium is a positive ion in the body. Potassium can be consumed in the different foods we eat. For example, fruits including citrus fruits, cantaloupe, apricots, vegetables including broccoli, peas, tomatoes, and potatoes and all meats. It is rare to not consume enough potassium due to it is commonly in the foods we eat. Having too much potassium in the blood is known as hyperkalemia. Too much potassium can be deadly and can result in irregular heart beat. Chloride is a negative extracellular ion. It is consumed by table salt and helps keep the amount of fluid inside and outside of the cells balanced. Chloride decreases when the amount of sodium decreases. Not having enough chloride in the blood can cause muscle spasm, cramping and shallow breathing. An excess can relate in opposite effects such as rapid breathing, vomiting, confusion, and weakness. As an individual consumes alcohol and caffeine it increases the excretion of urine. Neither of these items provides the proper fluids to keep the body hydrated, because of the continuous causes to use the bathroom, which is a result in fluid loss. People can take very simple steps to make sure that they stay hydrated. Drink before, during, and after one exercises. Make sure on hot days to continually drink water, even if it means keeping a bottle of water within reaching distance in the car or your purse. Reducing one’s salt intake will help in the release of fluids. One last recommended trick that can be taken to keep hydrated is to increase how much potassium one consumes. For example, each more fruits, vegetables, and instead of drinking caffeine drink juice. In conclusion, it is not always easy to stay hydrated. We all get busy and believe we are drinking enough water or fluids, until we notice we have cotton mouth. Cotton mouth is a signal from our brain that we need to drink water. Water is an important part for our body’s cells. Water keeps our bodies regulated. It is recommended for one to drink eight to nine eight ounce glasses of water a day. Excess amount of water never hurts. Our bodies are made up of 60% water, not consuming enough is what leads to dehydration and could result in death. Some helpful tips are to keep a water bottle with you at all times, each more fruits and vegetables & lower the salt intake. Just as food is important in our everyday diet, water is just as important if not greater. When you get the thought “I’m going to die of thirst” that is your brain telling you to drink, drink, and drink!