Here in the south, July and August are two of the hottest months, and it is important to take care of our bodies in times of extreme heat. One of the most common dangers in summer is dehydration. It is important to remember that dehydration is not only dangerous for people, but also for pets and animals.
A common mistake that many people make is having an ice-cold soda or energy drink instead of water, but these drinks can make you even more dehydrated. Below are ten dangers of dehydration that you should be aware of for yourself, your loved ones and pets:
1. Muscle cramps- You don't have to be an athlete to get muscle cramps. Those who are minimally active and do not drink enough fluids are equally susceptible to cramps. Dehydration causes hypersensitivity and involuntary contraction of the muscles.
2. Depression- The brain requires 85% water - more than any other organ in the body. Lack of water in the brain cells can result in an immediate interruption of the brain's energy supply, which can lead to fatigue, lethargy and depression.
3. Constipation- After the food is eaten, it is broken down in the small intestine and the non-essential part of the food is turned into waste. Dehydration causes the intestinal cells to draw water from the food waste in the intestines, causing the waste to harden, leading to constipation.
4. Hypertension- High blood pressure is common in people who are chronically dehydrated. When the body's cells lack water, the brain sends a signal to the pituitary gland, which happily secretes vasopressin, a chemical that causes blood vessels to constrict. This causes blood pressure to rise, leading to hypertension.
5. Kidney stones- Dehydration can cause the urine to become concentrated, causing minerals from the urine to collect in a crystal formation. These crystal formations are deposited in the kidneys, causing kidney stones.
6. Shame- Sufficient water in the body helps the kidneys to filter waste products easily while diluting the urine. Insufficient water in the body makes it difficult for the kidneys to excrete the necessary amounts of waste from the urine, causing waste that should have been excreted to be captured and circulated through the body.
7. Gallstones- Similar to blood vessel compression, dehydration can also cause the bile ducts in the liver to narrow. These contractions can result in the formation of gallstones.
8. Kidney disease-When your body is dehydrated, the kidneys decrease urine production, causing the capillaries in areas such as the heart and brain to constrict, resulting in high blood pressure. The combination of high blood pressure and urinary retention causes serious kidney damage and can eventually lead to kidney disease.
9. Joint Complications-Dehydration causes the cartilage in the joints to rub against each other, causing weakening and wear and tear over time. However, with sufficient water supply and the formation of new cells, the cartilage can be repaired. Lack of water increases the delay in the recovery of these damaged joints, and over time the cartilage can completely wear away.
10. Death- Water makes up approximately 60% of total body weight. Every bodily function and process needs water to stay active and healthy. Severe dehydration can be fatal, so it's important to notice any other warning symptoms and do something to correct them!
