Water is truly the source of life. Without it, nothing can survive.
Water is what makes up the majority of our blood and three-fourths of our body weight, which makes it incredibly important to drink an adequate amount of water. Inadequate water intake can slow down the transportation of nutrients around the body.
I'm sure we've all heard the statement that humans can only survive up to three days without water. This is true. Acute dehydration can be scary. Nausea, diarrhea, light-headedness, and even vomiting can occur. Getting to this state could land you a stay in the hospital, or worse.
However, our main focus is on chronic dehydration, and the damage that it does to the body over time. Chronic dehydration occurs when an individual doesn't consume enough water for a long period of time. It is an ongoing problem.
An individual cannot be healthy without proper, consistent water intake. Long-term dehydration does great harm to the body, by attacking all of the organs.
The brain is significantly impacted by dehydration. Inadequate hydration can greatly alter mood, decrease cognitive ability, and even cause delirium. Headaches can also be caused by dehydration.
The damage that dehydration can have on the heart, is frightening. Inadequate fluid intake can lead to high blood pressure, which is threatening to the health of the heart. Interestingly, the body actually retains more sodium, when chronically dehydrated.
Gastrointestinal health can also decline, when an individual is chronically dehydrated, and many gastrointestinal issues are caused by dehydration. Water is essential for the process of digestion, and metabolic rate can be slowed down without enough water.
Skin is the largest organ in the body, and contains around thirty percent water. A clear sign of dehydration is dry skin. Without proper fluid intake, the skin will lose its elasticity.
The list of organs affected by dehydration, goes on and on. Anything we do that requires an exertion of energy, will require a replenishment of water.
Certain groups of individuals are more prone to chronic dehydration, including those who are pregnant or nursing. Children also tend to have problems with dehydration, as they may forget to hydrate, or confuse thirst with hunger.
The only way to be truly hydrated is by listening to your body, and consistently drinking only water. Sugary and flavored drinks, can cause further dehydration and other complications. A great way to stay hydrated is to keep a refillable water bottle.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-dehydration
https://universityhealthnews.com/daily/nutrition/do-you-have-chronic-dehydration/
https://www.wholelifechallenge.com/how-chronic-dehydration-can-make-you-fat-tired-and-weak/
