How Your Health and Well-Being Are Affected by Hydration

Water is known as the “elixir of life” for a reason since it makes up roughly 70% of the human body weight.

Our lungs contain 83% of it, as do our muscles, kidneys, and heart. Water also makes up 64% of our skin, 31% of our bones, and 73% of our heart and brain.

Despite this, we give a lot of thought to our diet, exercise, amount of exposure to sunshine, air quality, etc. The only thing that occupies our minds when it comes to water is ensuring sure the water filter is functioning correctly.

Having said that, being hydrated involves more than simply consuming adequate water. ‘Fluid equilibrium’ is what we need to strive for in order to be well hydrated. To put it simply, this refers to maintaining the proper fluid and electrolyte balance in order to maintain our body’s top performance. The salts and minerals the body requires to control several biological processes, including nerve impulses, muscular contractions, blood pressure, and pH levels, are known as electrolytes. Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and bicarbonate are some of the crucial electrolytes.

Electrolytes are lost along with water when we perspire, urinate, have diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever. Dehydration occurs when we don’t refill them, and it may have detrimental effects for our health and wellbeing.

Dehydration and Mental Ability

Dehydration may have a significant negative influence on our cognitive functions in addition to making us feel parched. Memory, mood, focus, and response speed may all be negatively impacted by even minor dehydration. A research found that a fluid loss of 1.4% after exercise might impair our capacity to concentrate and make headaches more common. According to a another research, fluid loss of 1.6% may make our working memory poorer and make us feel more anxious and exhausted.

The careful coordination of neurotransmitters and electrical impulses within the complex network of the brain depends on adequate hydration. These functions may be hampered by dehydration, which impairs our capacity for clear thinking and reasoned decision-making.

Heart Disease and Dehydration

Proper hydration has enormous positive effects on the heart, which is the engine of our circulatory system. About 50% of the water in our blood is salt. Dehydration may cause the blood to thicken, lose volume, and become more difficult to circulate through our veins. The heart may be strained and blood pressure may rise as a result. Electrolyte imbalances brought on by dehydration may potentially influence heart rhythm and result in arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.

The blood is less viscous and flows more freely through blood arteries when properly hydrated. It lowers the possibility of clot formation while also assisting the body in maintaining ideal blood pressure. All of these elements result in less stress on the heart, which lowers the risk of cardiovascular problems.

dehydration and kidney health

The kidneys are in charge of filtering waste materials and eliminating extra fluids, salts, and wastes from your body via the excretion of urine. They also control the body’s electrolyte balance and blood pressure.

Dehydration significantly strains the kidneys since the majority of this control occurs via the production of urine. Water aids in the dilution of urine and the prevention of kidney stones, which are solid mineral deposits that may hurt and infect. Additionally, water aids in the prevention of UTIs, which are brought on by bacteria that enter the urinary system. UTIs may damage the kidneys, urethra, or bladder and result in symptoms including fever, lower abdomen discomfort, frequent urination, burning while urinating, and blood in the urine.

Our kidneys are kept healthy and in good working order by maintaining appropriate water.

Wellness in Reproductive Areas and Dehydration

The secret to a healthy sperm production in males is enough hydration. Semen, which contains sperm cells to fertilize an egg, is produced with the aid of water. Dehydration may impact fertility by lowering sperm motility and count.

Hydration and reproductive health are tightly related in women. Hormone balance, menstrual periods, and fertility may all be affected by dehydration. In order to avoid discomfort and infection, water also maintains vaginal lubrication. In order to support the increased blood volume required for the growing baby, hydration is crucial throughout pregnancy.

Utilizing the Correct Tools to Fight Dehydration

Throughout the day, drinking plain water is one of the greatest methods to keep hydrated. However, if you lose a lot of fluids through activity, an illness, or hot weather, water is insufficient to restore your electrolytes. The electrolytes in your meals are enough on a typical day. However, caution must be used in hot weather, after strenuous activity, and of course, while suffering from ailments like fevers, vomiting, and diarrhea. The risk arises from the fact that we lose water and electrolytes at such moments considerably more quickly than we can replace them.

Fortunately, there is a simple solution to this issue. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) have been successfully used to rapidly hydrate the body since the 1960s. It was so important that the World Health Organization spent years funding research to develop the recipe. This medication, known as WHO ORS, has been sold under the name Electral in India since 1972.

WHO Like Electral, ORS is precisely designed to provide the body with the nutrients it needs to heal. When producing ORS, it’s crucial to stick to the instructions on the box for the greatest results. For instance, Electral is offered in two sizes: the big packet should be dissolved in 1 liter of water, while the tiny package should be dissolved in 200 ml or 1 glass of water. It’s also offered in tetrapak form, which is ideal for traveling, and is ready to drink.

A severe case of dehydration or illness is not a prerequisite to using an oral rehydration solution. Dehydration may sometimes strike suddenly, especially if you’ve been out in the heat all day. Perhaps there was a gathering where the water coolers were overcrowded. Perhaps you have a little fever. Whatever the reason, act if you think you’re dehydrated. Before dehydration may do any damage to you, you will have fought it off.

Not all proper hydration is focused on preventing dehydration, keep in mind. It involves providing your body with adequate fluids and electrolytes to keep your organs functioning properly. Make drinking water a priority and a habit; your body will appreciate it.