Dehydration

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the effects of dehydration by looking at why water is essential to health maintenance, the functions of water in the body and what happens to the body when it does not get the water it needs. It further compares and contrasts how different electrolytes including sodium, potassium and chloride function in the body. In addition, the paper examines the effects of alcohol and caffeine on hydration levels in the body and what steps people can take to ensure they do not become dehydrated.

Outline:
Introduction
Water and the Body
Water's Role
The Body's Shifting Need For Water
Salt and Water for Proper Hydration
Signs of Dehydration
Effects of Alcohol on Body's Hydration
Summary & Conclusion

From the Paper:

"As the body ages and particularly in the twenties when there is a decrease in growth hormone production the body's perception of thirst decreases. Growth hormones "regulate water in conjunction with histamine." (Klotter, 2001) Aging of the body results in a lesser awareness of thirst and resulting is a lessening in water consumption and the water content "within cell decreases so that cellular water can be redistributed to the brain and other vital functions" of the body. When the body does not intake enough water the body's neurotransmitter "histamine is activated" which in turn "activates prostaglandins, kinins, and vasopressin, in an effort to redistribute water according to priority." (Klotter, 2001) When the body doesn't receive enough water, resulting can be problems that include damage to the DNA as well as "reduced efficiency of DNA repair system, immune suppression, and irregular protein production in cells, which encourages cancer cell formation." (Klotter, 2001) "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Body Effects (2008) Alcohol. Online available at: http://www.alcohol.org.nz/BodyEffect.aspx?PostingID=671
• Klotter, Jule (2001) Physiological Effects of Dehydration: Cure Pain and Prevent Cancer. A review of a videotaped lecture of F. Batmanghelidj. Cure Pain & Prevent Cancer. 2001. Online available at: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2001_August/ai_78177228
• Morris, Whitney (2008) Effects of Dehydration on Performance. Triathelete Magazine Online available at: http://www.triathletemag.com/Departments/Training/2007/Effects_of_dehydration_on_performance.htm
• Weatherwax, Dawn (nd) NSCA's Performance Training Journal Vol. 4 No. 6. Online available at www.nsca-lift.org/perform.

More papers on Dehydration:

• Cause and Effect Essay # 118199 : "Avoiding Dehydration"
• Article Review # 29012 : "Terminal Dehydration"
• Term Paper # 119383 : "Dehydration"

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