Why Does Your Body Need Fluids?
You may think you’re mostly flesh and bone, but actually, your body is about 60% water. Certain individual parts have even higher water percentages:
Heart: 73% water
Brain: 73% water
Skin: 63% water
Muscles: 79% water
Lungs: 83% water
Given those numbers, it’s easy to see why staying hydrated is pretty critical, but water does more than compose your body parts. Here, Dr. Perry Weisman and our team at WiseCare Urgent Care in Pasadena, Maryland, take a closer look at what water does for your body and what to do if you run low on liquids.
Why your body needs water
In addition to accounting for the lion’s share of your body mass, water also performs several essential functions. Here’s a look at some of them.
Digestion aid
After you eat and drink, the meal goes through your digestive system. Your intestines absorb the water you drink and transfer it to your bloodstream, where it breaks down nutrients. Water also works in your digestive system by breaking down soluble fiber.
Waste remover
You need water to help your body “take out the trash.” Water enables your kidneys to filter your blood and determine what’s required and what’s not, then helps it discard the waste. It takes adequate water to process all this through your system and make enough urine to get rid of it. Plenty of water may also help prevent constipation.
Tissue protector
If you’ve ever experienced dry eyes, a parched mouth, or an arid bloody nose, you understand what can happen when your tissues don’t get enough water. Staying well-hydrated doesn't only keep these facial features moist. It also lubricates your spinal cord, joints, bones, blood, and brain.
Brain sharpener
Speaking of your brain, it's a big fan of water, and when your tank gets low, your brain lets you know. Some of the classic signs of dehydration include memory problems, inattention, and low energy.
Heart pumper
Because your blood is mostly water, running low leads to an imbalance in the concentration of the other components in your blood, namely electrolytes, sodium, and potassium. This may affect the function of your muscles. It may also lead to a lower blood volume and lower blood pressure, so you might feel dizzy or faint.
How your body loses water
Every time you sweat, urinate, or defecate, your body loses water. If you have diarrhea or you vomit, you lose even more. During these times, you need to increase your daily water intake to counterbalance the loss. Pregnant mothers may also need to drink more water than they did when they were drinking for one. Staying hydrated can also help you avoid bladder infections and kidney stones.
How much water do I need to drink?
We get this question a lot, and the answer is: it depends. Every human body is different and has different needs. There are several variables involved in determining the amount of water you should drink each day, such as your age, sex, weight, where you live, and your activity level, but here are some general guidelines:
Women: 2.3 quarts a day
Men: 3.2 quarts a day
While a tall glass of water is best, it’s not the only source of your daily intake. You also get some water from other types of drinks, including coffee, tea, and juices, as well as from the foods you eat.
What to do if you’re dehydrated
Mild cases of dehydration can be resolved by simply drinking more water. But sometimes, your body needs a helping hand to get back to a normal hydration level, and that’s where we come in.
At WiseCare Urgent Care, we offer IV fluid hydration that delivers water, electrolytes, and other essential nutrients directly into your bloodstream, so you reap the benefits immediately. And you have peace of mind knowing it’s administered by our experienced professional medical team. If you have any dehydration-related complications, such as blood pressure issues, digestive disorders, kidney problems, or joint pain, we can address them here.
If you’re dehydrated and need help getting back to normal, schedule an appointment or come in and see us during our open hours and top off your tank.