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 form 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 litre of water daily
• Skin: The water loss from the skin is through perspiration.
• Intestine: A small quantity of water is normally losses in faeces.
• 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 | 2200 | Skin | 350 |
From metabolism | 200 | Lungs | 350 |
Sweat | 100 | ||
Faeces | 100 | ||
Urine | 1500 | ||
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 litre 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 litre
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)