Table of Contents
An important nutrient 75 to 80 percent of our total body is water.
The total body fluid is distributed among two major components
- Extracellular fluid: contain sodium
- Intercellular fluid: contain potassium
Hydrogen & Oxygen in the ratio 2:1 forms water
Sources: Visible & Invisible water.
- Visible water that we can see are- plain water, fruit juices, tea, milk, coffee, etc
- Invisible water that is inside the food s & metabolic water.
Function
- Water quenched our thirst and is the most refreshing & cooling of all liquids.
- It is a structural component of all cells.
- Water is a medium in which all chemical reaction takes place.
- It is an essential component of all body fluid such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, bile, digestive fluid, urine.
- It acts as a lubricant & helps us in swallowing food or to digest food.
- It acts as a solvent for the products of digestion & helps in transporting this product in different parts of the body.
- It regulates body temperature.
- It helps to throw the waste product from the body.
Water Balance
In a normal individual, the maintenance of water balance is archived by adjusting both water intake & excretion as needed.
The major inputs of water are:
- Fluids that we consume as beverages, including water depending on climatic conditions & habits.
- Different types of foods & fruits that we take in solid form.
- Metabolic water.
Output or loss of water from the body:
- Renal loss: Kidneys excrete about 1-2 liter of water daily
- Skin: The water loss from the skin is through perspiration.
- Intestine: A small quantity of water is normally losses in feces.
- Lungs: The air expired from the lungs also contains water.
- Sweat: It depends on physical activity & environmental conditions.
Daily intake & output of water
Intake | ml/day | Output | ml/day |
|---|---|---|---|
The fluid we take | 2,200 | Skin | 350 |
From metabolism | 200 | Lungs | 350 |
Sweat | 100 | ||
Faeces | 100 | ||
Urine | 1,500 | ||
Total | 2,400 | 2,400 |
Dehydration
It is defined as an excessive loss of body water. It may occur because of inadequate intake of, or abnormal loss of body water or a combination of both.
The symptoms of dehydration are:
- Thirst
- Loss of appetite
- Decreased urination
- Nausea
- Impaired temperature regulation
- Muscular spasms
- Increased pulse rate
Symptoms of severe dehydration appear when Fluid level falls by more than 10%. A 20% loss of fluid from the body can be fatal.
A dehydrated person is usually managed by Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT). The WHO recommended ORS (Oral Rehydration Salt) that are to be dissolved in 1 liter of water & make an Oral Rehydration Solution & have to be finished within 24 hours. He also can take HAF. (Home Available Fluid)
Home Available Fluid
Normally we prepared in home 1 glass of water + 2 spoon sugar + a pinch of salt + few drops of lime juice (lime juice contained potassium & salt contain sodium which helps to maintain the equilibriums among intracellular & extracellular fluid.)
ORS (WHO) for 1 liter
| Content | amount in gm |
|---|---|
| Glucose | 20.0 |
| Sodium Chloride (salt) | 3.5 |
| Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) | 1.5 |
| Potassium chloride | 1.5 |
A minimum of +8 glass of water is recommended daily.
Excess of water causes oedema. (Swelling of the skin)