29/09/2023
All important information about body hydration in one place
It is not for nothing that they say water is the basis of life. Our body is also made up of about 60% water. In order for our body to function as it should, it is essential that you provide it with sufficient hydration. Why is body hydration so important, in which cases can dehydration occur and how is dehydration treated?
Why is body hydration important?
Taking in enough fluids during the day is essential for our bodies for several reasons. First and foremost, all our cells, tissues and organs need water to function properly and perform their functions. Water also flushes out waste substances from the body and promotes proper digestion. In addition, it regulates body temperature, protects body tissues and joints, and improves sleep and mood.
To stay hydrated, it helps to not only drink plenty of fluids, but also eat foods high in water, such as vegetables and fruits.
Other benefits of staying hydrated
Other scientifically confirmed benefits of body water balance include maximizing physical performance. Dehydration can have a huge impact on physical performance the moment you lose as little as 2% of your body's water content.
Hydration is also beneficial for proper brain function, significantly affects energy levels, and can help prevent and treat headaches. Increasing fluid intake can also help relieve uncomfortable constipation and help treat kidney stones.
Insufficient fluid intake can lead to dehydration
The moment your body gives out more fluid than it takes in, dehydration will occur. So, the definition of hydration is the opposite, hydration means taking in more fluid than you lose.
It is important for the proper functioning of the body to check the fluid balance and to take in increased amounts of water when you sweat more, have a fever, or suffer from frequent diarrhea and vomiting.
How do you know if you are dehydrated? The most common signs of dehydration include feeling thirsty and dark-colored urine. You may also feel symptoms such as tiredness, headache, or drowsiness.
What are the possible causes of dehydration?
What causes dehydration most often? Hot summer days in particular pose a threat, leading to excessive sweating that is not compensated by sufficient drinking. Sports, fever, or illnesses associated with severe diarrhea or repeated vomiting can also be to blame.
How is dehydration treated?
The treatment for dehydration is rehydration, i.e., replenishing fluids. However, keep in mind that you should never drink large amounts of fluids at once, but drink fluids gradually throughout the day to avoid straining the kidneys.
What to drink in case of dehydration? In addition to plain water or unsweetened teas, drinking drinks containing electrolytes is also recommended. For adults and children, there are oral rehydration solutions, which you can buy at the pharmacy.
What are electrolytes?
Why do experts advise drinks containing electrolytes in case of dehydration and what are electrolytes? Electrolytes are ionized minerals that occur naturally in the human body and which are essential for proper body functioning. Examples of electrolytes include magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, and chloride.
When the body does not have enough water, it also loses electrolytes. If electrolyte levels are reduced, this can lead to a number of undesirable side effects, which include headaches, fatigue, mood changes, irregular heartbeat, and vomiting. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance are therefore interconnected problems that need to be solved at the same time.
What are other possible causes of electrolyte imbalance?
What causes electrolyte imbalance? In addition to dehydration, which is one of the most common causes in general, sweating, taking certain medications, diarrhoea, vomiting, eating disorders, kidney disease, heart failure, or severe burns can also be to blame.
Label.BlogRelatedPostsText
