Changes that occur with less water

Everyday water from the body is expelled through urine, sweat through skin and breathing. Let us see what amount of water goes out through these forms.

1. 1 to 1.5 liters of water goes out through kidneys in the form of urine.
2. Roughly 600 to 800 ml. of water goes out through skin by way of sweat, some of it visible and some of it is invisible. When sweating is more daily two liters of water goes out.
3. 400 to 500 ml. of water goes out from lungs while we exhale.
4. 100 ml. of water is discharged through ablution.
Hence, we have to replenish the water that is lost every day. Some times, when we suffer from loose bowels and vomiting more water is lost. If the lost water is not replenished immediately it may lead to complications.

When the water level in the body reduces, the extra cellular fluid also reduces resulting in increase in osmotic pressure. Then intra cellular fluid is drawn into extra cellular fluid. Cells, which lost water, would contract. With this the chemical reaction of the cells is affected. The food taken by cells is not converted into energy. Salts like sodium and potassium go out. Quantity of urine also comes down. When water level in the body is reduced most important electrolytes are also lost.

Changes in kidneys

1. There is no change of blood flow to kidneys.
2. Water percentage in the filtered blood by kidneys is reduced.
3. Quantity of urine decreases.
4. Urea, uric acid, creatine, phosphates, waste material-containing nitrogen accumulate in blood.
5. Unless urine is discharged these waste material are not purged out.

Problems with reduction of water level in the body:

We go thirsty and become weak; skin is dry and loses elasticity; eyes dry up. Kidneys discharge their duty properly only if water is taken aplenty. They can purify the blood properly. I heard a specialist in nephrology on television saying that we should take at least four liters of water a day if kidneys are to function efficiently. He also said that nothing helps kidneys better as water does. I have written all this to explain scientifically as what water does to cells. Many people do not understand all these things. Some cannot understand these things unless they are written in detail. In this chapter I tried to explain that there is no harm in taking plenty of water either once in a day or several times a day. When we know the important role played by water in the body we try to consume abundant water. If one knows this he will not look down upon water.

In my next post I will tell you about how much water is to be consumed, how it is to be taken and when it is to be taken.