Parish Nurse Salem UCC

Water, Water Everywhere June 2005

I must admit that I have taken some liberties in the writing of these articles. I try to educate you, make you think; sometimes make you laugh or even cry. The newsletter last month included the Lesotho water appeal, so this month, I will discuss the importance of water.

Every system in the human body depends on water for proper function. Water makes up about 60 % of our body weight, and is an important nutrient with many uses, some of which include; helping to regulate body temperature, aiding in removal of body wastes in both the kidneys and the intestines, helping to transport nutrients and oxygen, and aiding in digestion of food.

How do we take in enough water? Fluids provide about 80% of our daily requirements and the other 20 % comes from food! Fruits and vegetables contain the highest amount of water. How much water do we need?? Well…… no pun intended, we need about eight, 8 ounce glasses a day. And if you are pregnant or breast feeding, have a history of kidney stones, or are exercising, that number should increase dramatically. After all, our body loses water by many methods.

Urine output - about 1.5 liters each day
Body functions-breathing- about 0.5 liters each day
Body functions-intestines, we lose fluid through our bowels
Exercise- whether it's aerobics, yoga, mowing grass or shoveling snow, if it causes you to sweat, it causes fluid loss
Environment-hot and humid, easy one to figure out
Environment- winter time, our heating system makes it hot and dry inside, causing fluid loss
Environment- cold, snowy weather, we're all bundled up, laying or working outside, we get overheated and start to sweat , again, losing fluids
Environment-high altitudes cause fluid loss
Medical problems-fever, everything is faster, body temperature, heart rate, breathing, all increase fluid loss
Medical problems-vomiting or diarrhea, this is most serious in infants and the elderly, who can quickly become dehydrated
Medical problems-shortness of breath, again rapid breathing causes increased fluid loss

Symptoms of fluid loss or dehydration include fatigue, muscle weakness, headache and dizziness; thirst is a late symptom. Caffeine and alcohol act like diuretics, causing increased urination and therefore, increased fluid loss.

Please conserve water and continue to use our resources wisely, so our grandchildren will know just how refreshing a nice cold glass of water can be. And just think, if we all put $1.00 in the cup each time we had a drink, we would help Lesotho 's water problem in no time at all.

Take care, Linda