Problems due to insufficient water intake

THE SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE DEHYDRATION ARE EXPLAINED WITH THE HELP OF FOLLOWING INFOGRAPHIC:

 

WHAT IS A CHRONIC DEHYDRATION AND WHY IT IS BAD FOR US?

We should be consuming approximately 3.7 litres of fluids per day to maintain proper hydration. When a person consumes less than 50% of this amount for a prolonged time, then he may face many health problems. These health problems are collectively referred to as chronic dehydration.

Due to chronic dehydration, the fluid balance of our body is disturbed. So the body tries to redistribute the available water in such a way that vital organs [Heart, Kidneys, Liver] receive the maximum share of it.

Consequently, it causes other organs to suffer due to insufficient water supply.

Now let’s discuss one by one the Consequences of chronic dehydration,

1. Reduced Concentration, Memory & Alertness: 75% of our brain is based on water and other fluids. Insufficient water intake causes dehydration of brain cells. It causes reduces the working capacity of the brain. Hence memory, alertness and mental concentration levels drop.
2. Body Fatigue: After blood, most of the body water is stored within our cells. Lack of sufficient water makes them weak, which, decreases the functioning of these cells resulting in early fatigue.
3. Constipation: Water helps in the formation and smooth passage of stools within the colon (large intestine). When the body lacks sufficient water, the large intestine tries to conserve whatever water available. Insufficient water inside the large intestine makes the stool hard and hampers its movement. Both these conditions result in constipation.
4. Increase in cholesterol levels: An important function of cholesterol is to act as a cementing material for closing defects within small blood vessel walls. The human body needs to conserve the available water during chronic dehydration; thus, it tries to prevent its loss from the defects within blood vessels by producing more cholesterol.
5. Digestive problems:
   1. Insufficient water intake decreases the production of digestive juices and enzymes. It causes indigestion.
   2. Water is necessary for the formation of sufficient mucus which covers our digestive tract and protects it from the corrosive action of digestive juices and acids. Lack of adequate mucus increases the chances of heartburn, Acidity or Stomach ulcers.
6. Insufficient water intake favors in the formation of Bad Gut bacteria which are harmful to our health.
7. High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure depends upon the force at which the blood is flowing through blood vessels and the diameter or size of the blood vessels. With chronic insufficient water intake, two things happen, both of which contribute to the increase in blood pressure.
   1. Blood has 90% of water; insufficient water makes it thicker and sluggish; thus, Heart has to pump it with the increased force so that it can reach to the target organ.
   2. When there is insufficient water in the body, the brain sends signals through hormones (Chemicals) to kidneys and reduce the amount of urine formation. It also narrows down the lumen of the blood vessel, which results in a rise in pressure of the blood flowing within them.
8. Allergies: Histamine is a chemical produced within our body. It is responsible for the redistribution of water inside the body. It is also responsible for creating allergic reactions within our body. During the phase of chronic dehydration, the human body produces more and more histamine to redistribute and conserve the available water. It can also increase the chances of developing allergies.
9. Weight gain: Lack of sufficient water cause cells to deplete of energy which sends signals to the brain. But the brain considers these signals as for hunger. To satisfy this person tends to overeat. The excess of calorie consumption results in weight gain.
10. Skin problems: Through our skin, the body removes the accumulated toxins in the form of sweat. Insufficient water intake reduces the amount of sweat produced and makes skin dry. In this scenario, instead of getting washed away, these toxins remain adhered to our skin. It can increase the risk of skin allergies and infections.
11. Kidney stones: During chronic dehydration, our kidneys try to conserve available water by forming concentrated urine. Insufficiency of water decreases the flushing action of urine. The Calcium and other toxins in the urine tend to settle within the urinary passage, which increases the risk of kidney stones.
12. Urinary tract Infections: During dehydration (chronic) kidneys have less amount of water available to flush out toxins effectively. These toxins and harmful substances start accumulating in the urine. It creates an ideal environment for the infectious microorganisms to grow and stick to urinary passage. Which, can develop into urinary tract infections.
13. Joints: Sufficient water is necessary to keep joint cartilage healthy, strong and lubricated. Lack of sufficient water due to chronic dehydration can damage the joint cartilage to produce the pain and friction within a joint.
14. Back pain: Intervertebral disk is a cushioning material between the adjacent vertebral bones. It functions as a shock absorber. Sufficient water is necessary to keep it hydrated and to function correctly. Insufficient water shrinks this Intervertebral disk and reduces its shock absorbing capacity. It increases the friction between the adjacent vertebrates, making them prone to the damage, resulting in back pain.
15. Respiratory Problems: Water is necessary to keep respiratory passage humid and moist. Insufficient water intake reduces the moistness of respiratory passage, which makes it susceptible to the damage due to infections and toxic substances.
16. Hair Loss: Water is the leading source of energy and nutrition for the hair bulb. Hair has 25% of water. Insufficient water intake contributes to hair loss and early baldness.
17. Aches and Pains: Lack of sufficient water hampers flushing of toxins effectively out of the body. These toxins get accumulated within our body and become responsible for creating aches and pains all over it.